Neuromuscular massage therapy consists of alternating levels of concentrated pressure on the areas of muscle spasm applied with the fingers, knuckles, or elbow. This pressure breaks the cycles of spasm and pain. Trigger Point Therapy is also known as Myotherapy or Neuromuscular Therapy.

Massage Modalities--Which One For You?

This blog is intended to serve as a quick read on the many massage modalities and treatments available to support holistic health and alternative healthcare.

Swedish Massage includes strokes caled Effleurage, a long, gliding stroke usually applied toward the heart; Petrissage, a rhythmic stroke that lifts the muscle off the underlying structures and compresses it between the fingers; Friction, a heat-producing chafing or rubbing stroke; Vibration, a pulsating tremor-like or oscillating stroke; Tapotement, a rapid and rhythmic percussion stroke in which the hands are used in various formations to drum on the client; and Joint Movements like flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction performed as part of the massage.

Hot Stone is a massage technique, used in conjunction with other modalities, in which warmed stones are placed on points, such as acupuncture points, and sometimes used as massage tools.

Hydrotherapy refers to the therapeutic use of water in any of its various forms--sea water, mineral water, baths, showers, colonics, underwater massage, ice, etc.

Shiatsu, also called Acupressure, is a Japanese system of applying finger pressure to specific points that lie along specific meridians.

Reflexology refers to a technique that uses pressure to points on the feet, hands and ears thought to correspond or "reflex" to all areas of the body.

Tui Na refers to a traditional Chinese technique that stimulates acupuncture points by brushing, kneading, rolling and pressing areas between joints.

posted 10-27-09

Hello to fellow classmates who are visiting my first blog which is located at:

romacksandbox.blogspot.com