Learn about the basics of massage therapy.

1. Discover how massage helps balance the
body, along with the various styles of
massage therapies and their benefits.

2. • Massage a form of bodywork that involves rubbing and
manipulating the soft tissues of the body.
• Pressure is typically applied with the hands, but massage
therapists may also use their feet, elbows or other body parts.
• Styles of massage vary from gentle to stimulating.
• There are over 80 known different types of massage.
• Results from the 2007 survey by the American Massage
Association indicate that 25% of all American adults received a
massage in the previous year.

3. • The skin is the body's largest sensory organ and includes
thousands of specialized receptors which react to external
stimuli by sending messages through the nervous system to the
brain.
• Massage manipulates soft tissue, which produces a change in
the connective tissue and musculature structures.
• Kneading actions increase circulation and increase energy.
• Longer strokes flush toxins from the lymphatic system and
promote relaxation.
• Deeper movements produce a change in the underlying tissues
and muscles.

4. • Reduces pain, tissue injury and inflammation
• Relieves soreness, tension, and stiffness
• Improves muscle tone and motor skills
• Increases flexibility and range of motion of joints by stretching
muscle tissue
• Improves blood flow to muscles and joints, accelerating
recovery from fatigue and injury
• Heals connective tissue build-up and reduces scarring
• Breaks down or prevents adhesions (knots) and fibrosis
• Reduces recovery time from injuries
• Prevents or delays muscular atrophy resulting from inactivity
from injury, age, surgery, or illness
• Relieves cramps and muscle spasms
• Reduces headaches due to muscle tension

5. • Cleanses the body of wastes and toxic debris in the
body
• Increases the circulation of lymph
• Stimulates the immune system functioning
• Reduces edema of the lower extremities and arms
• Removes lactic acid from sore muscles and
encourages a quicker recovery from workouts
• Speeds recovery from illness

6. • Depending on the length and type of massage it can stimulate
and increase energy to the nervous system or have a sedative
effect and relax the nervous system
• Relieves restlessness and insomnia, restores healthy sleeping
patterns
• Relieves pain due to pinched or entrapped nerves
• Stimulates the body to release neurotransmitters such as
endorphins which reduce pain
• Helps balance the autonomic nervous system
• Reduces nerve root compression
• Relieves tension and anxiety by calming the nervous system

7. • Improves body alignment
• Relieve stiff joints and improves the efficiency of movements
• Decreases inflammation
• Restores and increases range of motion
• Releases tight muscles and tendons
• Releases restrictions in the fascia (connected tissues)
• Improves the circulation and nutrients delivered to the joints
• Increases retention of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur to aid in
bone repair
• Improves posture

8. • Helps the body eliminate metabolic waste
• Increases kidney function to remove wastes
• Releases bladder tension

9. • Develops and maintains the integrity of respiratory muscles
• Regulates healthy respiration
• Promotes deeper breathing
• Releases tension in the ribcage and muscles associated with
inhalation and exhalation
• Reduce congestion in the lungs
• Encourages the absorption of oxygen in body tissues
• Stimulates blood flow to and from the lungs which helps
remove waste from the body

10. • Reduces depression and anxiety associated with PMS
• Reduces excess fluid retention
• Used for preparation of the birthing process
• Alleviate menstrual problems such as period pains, irregular
menstruation, PMS and the symptoms of menopause
• Can be used to detect lumps or irregularities in the breasts
• Balances hormones which control the reproductive system

11. • Relieves constipation and gas by improving the peristalic
movement of the colon and small intestines
• Relaxes the abdominal and intestinal muscles, reducing
cramping in those areas
• Encourages the body to eliminate waste materials through the
large intestine by stimulating peristalsis
• Stimulates activity of liver to promote digestion
• Reduces nausea

12. • Improves skin tone by removing dead cells
• Regenerates tissue, to promote healing from burns and other wounds
• Helps to normalize glandular functions
• Improve elasticity of skin and reduces wrinkles
• Stimulates blood flow to nourish the skin
• Increases sebum production to improve the supple quality of skin
• Improves skin resistance to infection
• Dilates capillaries which improves skin tone
• Increases oxygen and nutrient flow to the skin and promotes cell
regeneration

13. • Increases blood flow relieving pain due to swelling
• Increases the flow of oxygen and nutrients to cells and tissues
throughout the body
• Reduces pain due to the irritation of nerves that control your
circulatory system
• Relieves congestion throughout the body
• Increases the number of red blood cells, especially in cases of anemia
• Lowers blood pressure and heart rate by improving surface
circulation
• Massage movements directed towards the heart facilitates the flow of
venous blood and lymph back toward the heart and organs.
• Increases the number of red and white blood cells platelets in
circulation
• Elimination of metabolic waste products

14. • Fever-massage stimulates the circulatory system which would work against
the body trying to isolate the pathogen
• High blood pressure-may cause excessive pressure on the walls on blood
vessels
• Hernia-may pressure may cause additional irritation
• Infectious diseases-may proliferate throughout the body
• Varicose veins-can be painful if the immediate area
experiences excess pressure
• Osteoporosis-brittle bones may be too weak for a stimulating massage
• Broken bones-can affect the mending of the bones, however can be
beneficial if done on the surrounding area
• HIV infection-if open lesions on present on the skin a massage could delay
healing
• Skin issues: rashes, burns irritations and inflammations should be avoided
as the rubbing could further irritate the area

15. • Avoid alcohol, it can contribute to the amount of toxins
released into the bloodstream.
• Abstain from food for a minimum of two hours before the
appointment. Undigested food will make the massage less
comfortable.
• Avoid caffeine, it can cause nervousness which can tense the
body.
• Drink lots of water, having a well hydrated body will help to
eliminate toxins.
• Before the massage communication is encouraged with the
massage therapist so it is customized to your specific needs.

16. • Uses long gliding strokes in the direction of blood returning to the
heart.
• Beneficial for increasing the level of oxygen in the blood, decreasing
muscle toxins, improving circulation and flexibility while easing
tension.
• Swedish massage uses five styles of long, flowing strokes to
massage. The five basic strokes include:
1. Effleurage-sliding or gliding
2. Petrissage-kneading
3. Tapotement-rhythmic tapping
4. Friction-cross fiber
5. Vibration-shaking

17. • Aimed at the manipulating the deeper tissue structures of the
muscle and connective tissue.
• Uses many of the same techniques in Swedish massage only
with increased pressure to release muscle tension.
• Releases chronic muscle tension and usually focuses on
specific areas.
• Deep tissue massage releases tensed muscles, therefore
allowing oxygen and nutrients to flow to the area.
• Research from the Journal of Alternative and Complimentary
Medicine found that a 45-60 minute deep tissue massage can be
used to reduce blood pressure.

18. • A style of massage that uses pressure to stimulate acupressure
points.
• It was founded on the Traditional Chinese Medicine meridian
system.
• The therapist applies pressure with the thumbs, fingers, and
palms to specific areas of the client's body that have been
previously determined during an assessment.
• Includes techniques such as rolling, brushing, vibrating,
grasping all in one particular technique.
• Shiatsu (Kanji: 指圧 Hiragana: しあつ) is Japanese for "finger
pressure”
•

19. • Involves the application of heated and/or cooled stones to the body
during a massage.
• The heated stones are used to promote circulation, decreases tension
and relaxes the connective tissues. This allows the therapist to more
easily perform deep tissue manipulations.
• The heated stones are often basalt, a black volcanic rock that absorbs
and retains heat well, but other types can be used as well.
• Smooth marble stones are often used for cold stone massage therapy.
• Cold stone massage serves as a means to reduce swelling and
accelerate the healing process. It can also refresh the mind, soothe
irritation, and cool down the body. It is highly recommended for
those who have injuries with inflammation.

20. • Traditional Thai style involves a deep, full-body treatment,
starting at the feet and progressing up to the head.
• It uses a sequence of gentle, flowing yoga-like movements,
where the recipient's body is moved, loosened and stretched.
• The massage recipient is maneuvered into various positions,
while the practitioner uses the weight of their body to apply
pressure rhythmic with their hands, feet, elbows or other body
parts.
• Thai massage is one of the branches of Thai traditional
medicine (TTM).
• Nuad Phaen Boran as is it called in Thailand, translates as
Ancient Massage or Traditional Massage.

21. • Massage therapy during pregnancy relieves many of the normal discomforts
experienced such as backaches, leg cramps, headaches, sore joints and
edema.
• Increased weight, a changing center of gravity and the many other changes
associated with pregnancy can also be relieved with pre-natal massage.
• Pre-natal massage works by encouraging blood and lymph circulation, it
helps to relax nervous tension to encourage better sleep.
• It can help relieve depression or anxiety caused by hormonal changes.
• Some prenatal massage therapists use a special table or pad with hollowed-
out areas and special pillows to accommodate the belly and breasts so the
women may lie facedown.
• Pillows, wedges, or a full-length body pillow may also be used for support
so the women may lie on her side.

22. • A gentle form of massage that encourages circulation of the body's
lymphatic system while reinforcing immune system functioning.
• Lymphatic massages are characterized by light, slow, flowing,
circular movements. This is due because the lymphatic fluid is
located just below the skin and the massage techniques mimic the
rhythm of the lymphatic system.
• The movements move the skin in the direction of the flow of the
lymphatic system to encourage toxins to be removed from the body.
• The focus of a lymph massage is typically on the upper body,
including the face, neck, and arms.
• Mild flu-like symptoms may be felt after the massage depending on
the toxicity level of the body including diet and environmental toxins
present.

23. • Lomi lomi, meaning "masseur, masseuse" in the Hawaiian
language, is the word used today to describe Hawaiian
massage.
• Massage practitioners may use their palms, forearms, fingers,
knuckles, elbows, knees, feet, even sticks and stones as tools
for the massage.
• Traditionally in ancient Hawaii lomi lomi was practiced:
1. Traditional Hawaiian healers as a native healing art
2. A luxury received by the ruling chiefs to aid digestion
3. A restorative massage exchanged within family members
4. Practiced by a ʻōlohe lua, Hawaiian martial arts

24. • The areas of focus on the body will depend on the athlete’s sport he
or she participates in and whether there are any existing injuries.
• Sports massage therapy can be used as a means to enhance training
and reduce recovery time.
• Sports massage generally focuses on muscle-tendon junctions.
• A 2010 study in the journal of Strength and Conditioning Research
found that even a 30-second massage improved hip-flexor range of
motion.
• Sports massages can be broken into 4 distinct categories:
1. pre-event sports massage
2. post-event sports massage
3. restorative sports massage
4. rehabilitative sports massage

25. • A trigger point is a tight area of muscle which can refer pain to
other areas of the body.
• Trigger point massage applies direct pressure to specific areas
of the body to get to the root of the problem.
• Once pressure is applied to the trigger point the constricted
muscle is able to relax.
• The trigger point massage consists of a period of isolated
pressure and release. The recipient may also be asked to engage
in some deep breathing exercises to identify the location of the
trigger point and release stress.

26. • Growing in popularity as a corporate, office, or workspace
massage for employees.
• A shorter 10-15 minute massage where the recipient sits
clothed in a chair, leaning slightly forward. with the face
resting in a cradle, looking down towards the floor leaving the
back and neck relaxed.
• Massage focuses on the back, shoulders, neck and arms.
• Receiving just five or ten minutes of chair massage has been
found to be effective for relief of aches and pains and reduction
of stress.
• Healthier employees have also been found to be more
productive at work.

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