A collection of techniques designed for relaxation, using massage oils to reduce friction.  Many of the therapeutic effects include increased circulation, increased flexibility, removal of lactic acid and toxins, relaxes nervous system, and stimulates the skin.  Techniques can be modified to treat injuries and muscular related problems.

Sometimes referred to as trigger point therapy- Uses advanced concepts in trigger point therapy to return the body to normal neuromuscular balance.  Have both European and American origins. In Europe, Stanley Leif started the work in the 1930's and passed it on to his cousin Boris Chaitow, his son Peter Lief and Leon Chaitow. 

Massage applied to the deeper, core layers of the body often using the elbow as well as the usual thumb, finger and fist pressure.  Greater awareness is often needed to go into the deeper tissues without hurting the client. Deep tissue work helps with chronic pain and injury rehabilitation.

Massage applied to serious athletes for training, injury prevention, rehab, and pre and post event strategies.  You have to know what you are doing to work with athletes as their life depends on their bodies.  Working too deep before an event may leave them weak and unable to compete.  They work themselves to exhaustion and do it all over the next day.

A Japanese healing modality similar to Chinese acupressure utilizing a Japanese healing philosophy of ki (life energy). Shiatsu literally means "finger pressure". This form of acupressure is a combination of many different techniques including pressing, hooking, sweeping, shaking, rotating, grasping, vibrating, patting, plucking, lifting, pinching, rolling, brushing, and sometimes walking barefoot on the patients back, legs, and feet. It is applied with comfortable pressure to all parts of the body with thumbs, palms, and elbows where the body is gently stretched to loosen joints and muscles. Shiatsu treatments promote good health by strengthening the body and stimulating its self-healing abilities. It is traditionally performed on the floor with the client comfortably lying on a futon with both client and patient dressed comfortably in a kimono (Japanese robe). Shiatsu is considered a special kind of dance between giver and receiver where a unique rapport develops between the practitioner and client because shiatsu relies on the simple but powerful experience of touch to awaken the client's own self-healing powers. This "touch communication" between practitioner and client is foundational to all healing methods. When the independence of ki is restored to a free flowing state throughout the body, it touches the physical, emotional, and spiritual sensitivity of the person, and the natural healing flow is restored.

Ayurvedic is a system of health and medicine used in India. Ayurveda means "life knowledge" or "right living". The basic theory is that there are three basic body types or tridoshas. There are three different types of massage for each tridosha. They have a system similar to meridians called Marmas. There are about 100 of these points and are said to be the source of the vital life force.

There are many methods of myofascial release.  It is used to evaluate and treat restrictions in the body's connective tissue (muscles and fascia).  Fascia is a complex supportive web throughout the body that affects all components of the musculoskeletal, nervous and visceral systems.  Myofascial release can be used to treat chronic pain, injuries, general aches and pains.

Developed by a Danish doctor, Hans Vodder, when he noticed that swollen lymph nodes, colds, and infections were connected.  His wife was a massage therapist.  Together they developed a system to massage the lymph nodes. It was introduced into America in 1982 and has been used with many types of aliments including inflammation, edema, arthritis and sprains/strains. Technique uses strokes that flow with the fibers of the muscles, because the lymph flow follows that path. Also uses breath and movement to break up the congestion.  Sometimes used in Sport massage applications and injuries.

Massage that deals with the feet and hands, treating reflex points. Sometimes referred to as "zone therapy" because of the specific zones in the feet, hands and ears.  The bottom of the foot and the palm of the hand mirror the body.  The toes reflect the head and neck; the balls of the feet correspond to the chest, lung area and shoulder; the arch covers the diaphragm to the pelvic area; the heel corresponds to the pelvic area; the inner (medial) side of the foot reflects the spine; the outer (lateral) foot reflects the arm, shoulder, hip, leg, knee, lower back; the ankle corresponds with the pelvic area and reproductive organs.  Stimulating certain areas may not directly "cure" the aliment, but the points may increase the energy to the organ or related area to assist in healing. Many experienced reflexologist can predict deeper underlying problems from what they read in the feet.

A technique developed by many (Upledger, Milne, Sutherland) to correct cerebral and spinal imbalances or blockages.  The treatment is geared toward moving the soft tissue, correcting cerebral and spinal imbalances to improve the functioning of the central nervous system.  This system consists of working with the soft tissues, membranes, energy, and cerebral fluids surrounding the cranium, spine, and sacrum. Because of the creation and re-absorption of cerebral fluid there is a dynamic rhythm which radiates throughout the body. The rate, amplitude, symmetry, and quality of this rhythm give distinct information about the health and functioning of the entire body. By monitoring the cranio-sacral rhythm through palpation (subtle touch by the practitioner), the therapist can locate the part of the body which may be holding physical or emotional trauma. Once identified, further application (gentle compression and stretching) stimulates the body to make corrections and readjustments in the form of physical movements or emotional release.  Cranio-sacral therapy takes many years of practice and learning to be a qualified practitioner.  It is my personal opinion that therapists taking a weekend workshop are not qualified to call themselves a cranio-sacral practitioner.  True expertise comes with years of practice and learning.

Developed by Austrian born Randolph Stone in the 1920's.  Stone was trained in chiropractic, osteopathic medicine, and naturopathic medicine and Ayurvedic methods. He also studied Yoga extensively.  Polarity theory is based on the principle that every cell has both negative and positive poles and the body is gently manipulated through touch or holding of tissue. The top and right side of the body have positive charges and the feet and left side have a negative charge.  The practitioner places their right hand on the negative charged parts of the client and the left hand on positively charged parts.  Integrates bodywork, diet, simple exercises (polarity yoga) and self- awareness.  Emphasizes the connection of the body, mind, emotions and spiritual connections.  The intention is to balance the energy in the body, toward the ultimate goal of uniting body, mind, emotions and spirit. 

Energy healing is based on the belief that our "life force" creates energy fields that are unbalanced during emotional or physical disease. Because our energy fields are part of an interconnected whole, the use of focused intention by one individual can aid in the health and well being of another. Many individuals use their own individual means of directing their intention to heal. Others practice according to schools such as Reiki. In the West, a common form of energy healing is Therapeutic Touch, which has been taught to thousands of nurses across the United States.

Healers operate in many different ways. For example, they visualize, send intentions for diseased cells to die, send intentions for cells to revert to their optimum state of health, or simply send loving energy. A common theme is the intention for the well-being of the client. Another is focusing on being a conduit for a loving, universal life force.

An interesting feature of energy healing is that it may be performed over distances of thousands of miles. The "life force" claimed to be transmitted by energy healers does not have the properties of any known form of energy. A comparable practice to energy healing that is used frequently in the West is prayer. A 1996 survey showed that 82 percent of Americans believed in the healing power of prayer. A survey of patients in American Cancer Society support groups for breast cancer found that 88 percent experienced beneficial effects of spiritual and religious practice.

Hot Stone Massage can be a dual purpose massage. Due to the heat of the stones, it is always a highly relaxing, stress reduction massage. The hardness of the stones allows the therapist to address specific problem areas with more detailed work or deeper pressure.

Basalt stones of various sizes, shapes and weights are used throughout. Some stones are the size of the tip of your thumb (these are used between the toes), while others can be very large - 2 or 3 pounds (1 to 1½ kg) in weight. These larger stones are normally used on the sacrum or low abdomen.

The stones are heated using water, and the ideal, safe temperature range of the heated water should range from 120 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit (48–54 °C). Heavy duty rubber gloves, a slotted spoon or mesh bags are used by the therapist to remove stones from the heating container. The job of the experienced, trained therapist is to closely monitor the heat level of the stones before placing on the client (stationary stones should not be placed directly on the skin), plus keep track of which stones are to be used on various parts of the body. Stones which are too low in temperature fail to adequately relax the stressed muscle tissues and simply do not feel all that good. Alternatively, stones that are way too hot will impart extreme discomfort (ie. burn) and anxiety to the client. Fortunately, the human body has an excellent temperature gauge and a client in most cases will and should, immediately respond in a negative way to an excessively hot stone, which tells the therapist to remove the stone. A good stone therapist will use a constant read digital thermometer in the heated water, keeping a vigilant watch on the temperature range.