Four Types of Therapeutic Massage
Four Types of Therapeutic Massage
Classified by Intended Outcome
- Relaxation Includes Swedish, Full-body, Fluff-n-buff, etc.
- Corrective Includes Deep Tissue, Clinical, Medical, Orthopedic, etc.
- Conditioning Includes Sports Massage, Resistance Stretching, etc.
- Energetic Includes Shiatsu, Reiki, etc.
“Relaxation”
The intention of a relaxation massage is to calm the mind, soothe the nerves, and physically relax the entire body. This type of massage could also be referred to as “full-body,” “Swedish,” or “fluff ‘n buff.” Though I could talk at length about the accuracy of using those terms, I will take that up another time. If you are looking for a relaxation massage therapist, those are the “code” words to look for.
“Corrective” massage has the intention of correcting a malfunction in the soft tissue that is causing pain or restriction of motion. For example: a knot, an adhesion, tendinitis, frozen shoulder, and many many many more examples. This is the kind of massage that I specialize in. “Code” words to look for include “deep tissue,” “sports,” “clinical,” “orthopedic,” or “medical” massage. The pressure usually is very deep, but not always. The treatment session will not be a “full body” experience. This is the kind of massage that you want if you have a persistent knot, chronic pain, or want lasting relief from tension.
“Conditioning” Massage is one that seeks to improve the texture, flexibility, and strength of healthy soft tissue with the overall goal of enhancing performance and endurance.
“Energetic” massage is intended to affect more than just the physical structures of the body. Examples include: Shiatsu and Reiki. Some forms of energy work involve no touch at all. Two examples are “Healing Touch” (Why is it called Healing TOUCH when there is no touching? I don’t know! Don’t get me started!) and medical Qi Gong. In the healing community, these forms fall under the heading of “bodywork” and not “massage.” However, if you intend to practice one of these modalities, your local government may still require that you have a massage license.
Paige said,
July 3, 2009 at 9:36 am
HI There,
Just wanted to ask about the definition of energetic massage. I am a massage therapist and thought that every massage has an energetic element? I have also called my clinic bodyworks and was intrigued by your differentiatiing bodywork from massage? Anyway, just curious as to where or who defines these things, sorry if this is a silly question. Thanks.
Yvonne said,
May 15, 2010 at 2:17 pm
Energetic massage Therapy is a holistic therapy, which promotes a sense of balance and harmony. It helps maintain good health and well being by treating the body, mind, emotions and spirit as one entity.
Energetic massage is a very light massage, where the hands or fingertips are being used to establish an energetically transfer. The fingers are placed at certain points on the body, known as acupoints, that are placed on the different meridians.
P. Brandon Perkins said,
May 19, 2010 at 4:23 pm
Excellent classification!
Liz said,
August 22, 2010 at 3:41 pm
Well! I guess, I am getting educated. I thought you can incoporate all this types under therapeutic massage and have all the benefits of massage. I never met someone breaking down the therapeutic massage this way.