Massage is manual tissue manipulation to enhance healing and health. It involves a licensed professional assisting a client in reaching the goals they wish to achieve by receiving a massage. Some examples of goals would be easing stress or anxiety, easing stiffness in the body, boosting athletic performance, etc.

There are different kinds of massage and some massage therapists specialize in specific types of massage and some specialize in more than one kind. It is important for the client to establish what type of massage they are seeking to find a therapist who can meet their goals. The different types of massage include but are not limited to Swedish Massage, sports massage, Thai massage, shiatsu, relaxation, and more!

In seeking a massage therapist it is also important to find one who is professional and listens and respects the needs of their clients, working with them to reach their goals. Because there are so many different types of massage, each will look a little different depending on which one clients choose. Thai massage and shiatsu for example are usually done on the floor on mats with the clothes while the massage therapist works with the client to stretch their body and do compressions on the arms, legs and back. Thai massage is ancient and guided by the energetic body (meridians, chacras, etc). Swedish massage in contrast is done on a massage table with the client dressed down while they are covered by a sheet and blanket. While the massage therapist works on different areas of the body, they undrape the area appropriately. Swedish is more focused on the scientific body such as understanding and applying anatomy, pathology as well as other biosciences to
bodywork.

There are also different services massage therapists offer to clients. Some massage therapists charge more to add on these services. Some examples of additional services are hot stone treatment, aromatherapy, cupping, salt or sugar scrubs, Gua Sha, etc. All types of massage usually involve an intake process at the beginning of the massage. The therapist will have an intake form to collect the client’s information and contact, ask about their goal for the massage, the areas of concern in the client’s body, and their general health.
Sometimes there are limitations with certain clients based on their health and this process is in place to insure ‘do no harm’. Along with the intake paperwork, there is usually a massage waiver the client signs to gain permission to receive massage as well. The massage therapist will then most likely do a verbal intake to review the intake paperwork. After a goal and mutual understanding is met, the next steps look different based on the type of massage being received. If the client is receiving a Swedish treatment, the massage therapist will leave the room to give the client a chance to dress down to their level of comfort and get under the sheet and blanket on the table. The massage therapist will then make sure the client is ready before entering to begin the massage. They will undrape and work on the areas that have been
agreed upon and then cover them back up when they are finished. The massage therapist will likely check in with the client throughout the massage and it is up to the client if they want to chit chat. If the client or the massage therapist is uncomfortable at any point, the massage can be extinguished.

Swedish massage is the most common massage done in North America. It is massage based around an understanding of anatomy, physiology, pathology as well as other biosciences and can be categorized into different techniques. These technique include effleurage (sliding or
gliding on the tissue in a smooth, continuous motion), petrissage (massage technique that includes movements that lift, wring or roll the soft tissue), tapotement (percussive, rhythmic technique on the client that can be described as rapping, cupping, tapping or rapping), friction (the therapist using their hands to create heat in the body by briskly rubbing the facia on the surface or with deeper pressure), vibration (moving the soft tissue rapidly in a specific spot to release tension), touch without movement, and joint movements (stretching). Swedish massage has a goal of improving the body’s function, to enhance healing, and for relaxation of the body and mind.

Source of Information: Tappan’s Handbook of Massage Therapy, Patricia J. Benjamin, pg. 3

Deep tissue massage is a type of massage that accesses the deeper tissues or facia in the body by simply applying more pressure. Deep tissue is beneficial for therapeutic work, or for clients who enjoy deeper pressure. If the client has specific areas of concern, deep pressure can be effective to locate the specific cause of discomfort and tension in the body and work towards relaxing the muscle or muscles involved by applying pressure. Pain is often caused by
tense muscles, so manually applying pressure to relax them oftentimes helps with pain. Deep tissue is also beneficial for people who simply enjoy deeper pressure massage. With this said, massage can be just as beneficial and therapeutic with a lighter touch, especially with people who do not enjoy deep pressure. Put another way, massage does not have to be painful to see results.
The massage therapist will ask the client before the massage begins what pressure the client prefers and work accordingly.

Relaxation massage is a massage that is performed with the goal of helping the client relax in body and mind. Relaxation massage is usually a full body massage, but can also be specific areas of the body. Relaxation can be lighter or deeper pressure based on the client’s preference. The structure of a relaxation massage is completely up to the client to decide. One of the great things about massage is that it is a great tool for relaxation no matter what kind of massage a client receives. Massage has the amazing ability to decrease stress or anxiety, help ease symptoms of depression, and aid in a better overall sense of well-being, and is a wonderful self-care tool. 

Thai massage is a type of massage that incorporates stretching with treatment. Traditionally, it is done on the floor on mats with the clothes on. The therapist will do compressions over the clothes as well as stretches on the client. Compressions are when the therapist uses downward pressure on different areas of the body such as the back, arms and legs. The massage therapist also stretches different areas, based on what the client prefers. Thai massage is kind of like assisted yoga, with the client relaxed. There is no effort the client needs to put in, the more relaxed they can make their body the better. Thai massage is very relaxing and has all the same benefits other types of massage have. I use Thai massage in my practice incorporated with Swedish treatment. This means I use the Swedish approach to massage and am able to incorporate Thai massage stretches as well as compressions.

Hot stone massage is an addition to the massage session. Hot rocks are placed on the client’s body, or used as a massage tool to apply pressure. Heat is an important and beneficial tool to use on the body to help relax muscle tension and ease stress. The rocks are heated to the client’s comfort and used throughout the session based on the client’s needs.

A salt or sugar scrub is used to exfoliate the skin in a relaxing and soothing way. During a massage, they are usually done on the hands and forearms or feet and calves. Salt or sugar is added to oil and applied and is used as a lubricant as the massage therapist works on the area. A sugar scrub is beneficial for the skin and is very relaxing.

Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of the fragrant oil extracted from plants. The use of fragrance from plant oil is very beneficial for many different things. Oil can be used for relaxation and different psychological purposes, it can help relax muscles, soothe an upset stomach, fatigue, and so many more everyday uses. Because of all the benefits of essential oil, many people use them to help them day to day, or simply to smell great! Also, massage is the perfect atmosphere to utilize them to heighten the massage, adding that little extra kick to make the massage exactly what you need.

Essential oils can also be applied in different ways. It can be applied directly to the skin and inhaled, used in a diffuser to circulate in the air, or used in a spray to be misted in the air or on the body.

In my practice, I offer them used in a mist spray over the body, applied minimally on the body and diluted with another oil, or diffused in the massage room.

A note on the quality of essential oil:
It is recommended to use therapeutic grade essential oil for the best result and your health, especially if applied directly to the skin. When using an oil for the first time, apply in a small amount or inhale minimally. Essential oil can also be diluted with other common oils to limit the chance of an allergic reaction.