Types of Massage Therapy

There are about 160 types of massage therapy practiced today. With so many modalities in massage there's no way you can't find one that's right for you.

Abhyanga is one of the relaxing types of massage therapy practiced in Ayurvedic medicine. This gentle oil massage is performed daily to maintain your health. Find out more about Abhyanga.

AcroSage is a unique form of high flying massage. It's a cross between yoga and shiatsu that can be very relaxing and invigorating. Find out more about AcroSage.

Active release technique is a soft tissue therapy that uses motion and pressure to release muscle tissue and break up scar tissue. Find out more about active release therapy.

Acupressure is one of the types of massage therapy used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Instead of the needles used in acupuncture, finger pressure is used on points along the meridians. Find out more about acupressure.

Acu-Yoga is a combination of yoga and acupressure used for self-care. Find out more about acu-yoga.

Alexander technique is a method of movement that helps relieve chronic pain and brings ease of movement. Find out more about Alexander technique.

Amma Therapy is an ancient for of Chinese massage. It has evolved to include aspects of Western massage therapy and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Find out more about Amma Therapy.

Applied kinesiology is a noninvasive form of bodywork that uses muscle testing to diagnose a range of physical problems and a combination of methods found in other alternative therapies to treat them. Find out more about applied kinesiocology.

Aromatherapy massage is one of many relaxing types of massage therapy. It involves the use of essential oils. Find out more about aromatherapy massage.

The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Massage ™ is an abdominal massage that helps align organs and can increase fertility. Find out more about Mayan abdominal massage.

Ashiatsu mean foot pressure in Japanese. It is a traditional massage practiced in many Asian countries. A new twist was put on this style of massage that is becoming popular in the West. Find out more about ashiatsu.

Aston-Patterning ® is a form of bodywork that combines massage, ergonomics, and movement education. Find out more about Aston Patterning ®.

Asymmetric Body Balancing is a combination of neuromuscular therapy and yoga. Find out more about neuromuscular therapy.

Balinese Massage is a popular type of spa massage that is deep and relaxing. Find out more about Balinese massage.

Balneotherapy is a common spa treatment that involves soaking in mineral enriched water from hot springs. Find out more about balneotherapy.

Barefoot Deep Tissue Massage is one of the deep types of massage therapy. The therapist uses her feet to provide you with a very deep relaxing massage. Find out more about barefoot deep tissue massage.

Body Talk is one of the gentle types of massage therapy that can be used to treat a large range of ailments. The principle behind BodyTalk is that the therapist encourages to body to heal itself. Find out more about Body Talk.

Bonnie Prudden Myotherapy ® is a type of trigger point therapy that includes self-help techniques. Find out more about Bonnie Prudden Myotherapy ®

Bowen technique is one of the gentlest types of massage therapy. This technique is so gentle that it can be use on the elderly and newborn infants safely. Find out more about Bowen technique.

Breast massage is a gentle massage that can help relieve breast pain, swelling and lymphedmia. It can be done by a professional massage therapist or on your own. Find out more about breast massage.

Breema is a meditative form of bodywork that originated from a Kurdish mountain village. It's similar to Thai massage. Find out more about breema.

Cat massage will make your cat feel great. It helps socialize aloof cats and builds trust between the pet and the owner. Learn to give a cat massage.

Chair masssage also called on-site massage can be done anywhere. A typical chair massage is short and leaves you feeling great. Find out more about chair massage.

Chinese massage therapy has been practiced for thousands of years. Find out more about the history of this therapy and the specific modalities that can be classified as Chinese massage.

Craniosacral therapy is one of the gentlest forms of bodywork. It is so gentle that it can be used to treat newborn infants. It is also an ideal treatment for the elderly. Find out more about CranioSacral Therapy.

Deep connective tissue massage releases tension in the fascia to relieve chronic pain. This intense form of therapeutic massage combines aspects of Swedish massage and myofascial release to heal dysfunction. Find out more about deep connective tissue massage.

Deep tissue massage is a commonly asked for massage in spa and clinical settings. It is used to address pain in a specific area and is commonly used on athletes. Find out more about deep tissue massage.

Dog Massage is one of the many types of massage therapy for animals. Massage benefits animals in the same ways it benefits humans. Learn to do a simple dog massage.

Equine massage is massage therapy for horses. This very specialized field of massage has been growing in popularity recently. Find out more about equine massage.

Esalen massage combines Swedish massage techniques with energy work for a holistic and completely relaxing experience. Find out more about Esalen massage.

The Feldenkrais Method ® is a form of somatic education that helps you to move more efficiently and gracefully. Find out more about Feldenkrais Method ®.

Geriatric massage, also known as elderly massage, is a gentle massage designed to specifically treat the needs of seniors. Find out more about geriatric massage.

Hakomi Method is a form of psychotherapy that incorporates aspects of bodywork. Find out more about Hakomi Method.

Hellerwork is a form of structural integration that combines techniques used in several types of massage therapy into one holistic approach to health. Find out more about Hellerwork.

Hilot is a form of Filipino traditional medicine that uses massage to balance body's energy. Find out more about hilot.

Hoshino therapy ® is a type of acupressure developed by acupuncturist, Tomezo Hoshino in the 1940's. This therpay uses pressure and heat to soften hardened muscles. Find out more about Hoshino therapy ®.

Hot stone massage combines the basic strokes of Swedish massage with the use of hot stones to provide a deep, relaxing massage. Find out more about hot stone massage.

Indian face massage is sometimes referred to as face lift massage. This soothing treatment uses a combination of different massage therapy techniques to loosen facial tissue giving your face a younger look. Find out more about Indian Face Massage.

Indian head massage also know as Champissage™, is a gentle massage that is done on the head, face, neck, shoulders and upper arms. Find out more about Indian head massage.

Indonesian massage is a deep tissue oil massage. It is quite therapeutic and can be used to treat muscle pain. Find out more about Indonesian massage.

Infant massage therapy is a great way to deepen the connection between parents and child. Find out more about infant massage therapy.

Integrative manual therapy is a gentle form of somatic therapy that treats the root of pain and disease. Find out more about integrative manual therapy.

Japanese massage has been practiced for many centuries. These types of massage therapy are still popular today. Find out more about the different styles of Japanese masssage.

Jin shin do is a type of bodywork that draws from many different types of Oriental massage techniques and somatic therapies. Find out more about jin shin do.

Kahuna massage is a luxurious massage that was traditional given to Hawaiian royality. Find out more about this Hawaiian massage.

Kalari massage is part of the training for fighters in the Indian martial art, Kalari. Find out more about kalari massage.

Lomi lomi massage is a traditional Hawaiian healing art. It's one of the many types of massage therapy that was used in traditional medicial practices. Its history is not well known, but it has been practiced for generations. Find out more about lomi lomi massage.

LooyenWork is a gentle form of deep tissue massage. The created of this therapy believes that pain cannot be used to heal pain. Find out more about LooyenWork.

Manual lymphatic drainage is a gentle form of massage used to treat lymphedema. Find out more about manual lymphatic drainage.

Marma therapy is an Ayurvedic type of massage used to treat all kinds of disesase and muscular dysfunction. Find out more about marma therapy.

Medical massage therapy is a type of therapeutic massage that is used to treat medical conditions. Find out more about medical massage therapy.

Myofascial Release Technique is a gentle massage technique used to loosen the restricted fascia. It can be used as a therapy on its own and can be combined with other therapies. Find out more about Myofasical Release Technique.

Naprapathy is a form of gentle manpulation of the joints and connective tissue that is closely related to osteopathy and chiropractic. Find out more about naprapathy.

Neuromuscular therapy, also called trigger point myotherapy, was developed in Europe and The United States at about the same time. Find out more about neuromuscular.

The Niel-Asher Technique ® is a hands-on therapy used to treat frozen shoulder syndrome and other shoulder conditions. Find out more about the Niel-Asher technique ®.

Oriental massage therapy reflects a different philosophy than the styles of massage invented in the West. These therapies includes a wide variety of modalities from many different countries. Find out more about Oriental massage

Ortho-bionomy is a gentle bodywork that includes both hands on and hands off techniques to promote healing. Find out more about orthobionomy.

Orthopedic massage is a therapeutic type of massage used to treat a variety of medical conditions. This treatment is very specific to the injury and the therapist has extensive training. Find out more about orthopedic massage.

Pfrimmer Deep Muscle Therapy ® is one of the deep types of massage therapy that loosens muslce tissue at a celluar level. Find out more about Pfrimmer Deep Muscle Therapy ®.

Polarity therapy is a type of bodywork that incorporates gentle hands-on energy work with diet, exercise, and self-awareness techniques. Find out more about polarity massage therapy.

Pregnancy massage, also called prenatal massage, is a good way to relieve some of the aches and pains experienced during pregnancy. Find out more about pregnancy massage.

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation is commonly used to treat sports injuries. It is a great way to increase flexibility. Find out more about proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation.

PUSH Therapy is one of the gentler types of massage therapy. Non-invasive techniques are used to treat chronically tense muscles. It is ideal for chronic pain relief. Find out more about PUSH therapy.

Raindrop Therapy is a gentle therapy that uses essential oils. Find out more about raindrop therapy.

Reflexology has a long history. It has been practiced by the Chinese since 4,000 BC and was also practiced by ancient Egyptians. Find out more about reflexology.

Reiki massage is a gentle form of energy work. It has been used by Asian cultures for years, but was rediscovered in Japan in 1922. Find out more about reiki massage.

Relaxation massage is a gentle soothing massage that helps reduce stress. Find out more about the different types of massage therapy that are classified as relaxation massage.

Rolfing is a form of deep bodywork that releases fascia and adhered muscle tissue. It was created by Dr. Ida Pauline Rolf in the early 1950's. Find out about Rolfing.

Rosen Method is one of the types of massage therapy that falls into the somatic category. It is a very gentle form of bodywork that focuses on breath. Find out more about Rosen method massage.

Rubenfeld synergy method is a gentle form of bodywork that focuses on the emotional releases. The therapy talks you through your emotions while doing bodywork. Find out more about Rubenfeld Synergy Method.

Russian massage is used regularly in Russian hospitals. It's a form of therapeutic massage that addresses specific injuries. Find out about Russian massage.

Shiatsu literally translates as finger pressure. This form of massage originated in Japan, but is based on principles borrowed from Chinese acupuncture and anma. It's also known as acupressure. Find out more about shiatsu.

Somatic Therapy is a term used to refer to a variety of therapies that address both aspects of the body and mind. Find out more about somatic therapy.

Sports Massage Therapy is ideal when you have a specific injury you'd like to treat. Find out more about sports massage therapy.

Structural Energetic Therapy uses a combination of different types of massage therapy to treat muscular dysfunction. Find out more about structural energetic therapy.

Structural Muscular Balancing helps return balance to the musculoskeletal system to release tension and correct postural dysfunction. Find out more about structural muscular balancing.

Swedish Massage is one of the most common types of massage therapy in the West and is what most people think of when they think of massage. Find out more about Swedish massage therapy.

Thai Massage, sometimes called yoga massage, combines principles of Ayervedic medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine and yoga for a relaxing and therapeutic massage. Find out more about Thai massage.

Therapeutic massage can be used to treat ailments and pain. These therapies are practiced by therapist that have had specialized training. Find out more about therapuetic massage.

Therapeutic touch is a form of energy work that was developed in 1972. Ironically, it doesn't involve touching you at all. Find out more about therapeutic touch.

Tibetan Point Holding is a form of massage based on somatic and acupressure principles. Find out more about Tibetan point holding.

Touch for Health is a more systemized and simplified branch of applied kinesiology. Find out more about touch for health.

Trager Work is a form of body work that involve moving the client through passive ranges of motion in a gentle rocking manner. Find out more about Trager massage.

Tuina, also spelled Tui Na, is one of the Oriental types of massage therapy. There is evidence of the use of tuina in China as far back as 1,700 BC during the Shang Dynasty. Find out more about this type of Chinese massage therapy.

Visceral manipulation is a deep types of massage therapy that is actually quite gentle. It can help treat everything from indigestion to erectile dysfunction. Find out more about visceral manipulation.

Watsu is a unique type of massage therapy because it is practiced in a warm pool or hot tub. Find out more about water massage.

The Wurn Technique ® is a relatively new type of massage therapy that treats fertility problems. Find out more about the Wurn technique ®.

Zen Shiatsu is an offshoot of traditional shiatsu. This gentle therapy helps you feel calm and relaxed. Find out more about Zen Shiatsu Massage.

Zero Balancing was developed in the 1970's. It combines Western and Eastern medicine to form a gentle,holistic therapy. Find out more about zero balancing.