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A Glossary of Typical Bodywork/Massage Terms
Acute		Signs and symptoms happen quickly, last a short amount of time and then disappear. Certain symptoms, like pain, can be severe.
Adhesion		Abnormal adherence of collagen fibers within connective tissue to surrounding structures following trauma or stress; or as a result of surgery. Adhesions can restrict the normal elasticity of these structures as well as impair the transfer of electrolytes and other fluids.
Aromatherapy		Healing method focusing on the application of and/or inhalation of distilled "essential oil" essences of plants obtained primarily through steam. These are combined with "carrier oils" (cold-pressed from fruit, nut or seed sources) before being applied to the skin.
Atrophy		Wasting away or decrease in size of something, due to disease or other factors such as nutrition or lack of use. Most commonly used in reference to muscles.
Autonomic Nervous System		The body system that regulates involuntary body functions such as the action of glands, smooth muscles and the heart. It consists of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.
Biodynamic		The therapist locates areas of blocked or depleted energy by applying their hands to the client's body, and then corrects the imbalance through the use of various techniques.
Chair Massage (see On-Site Massage)		A massage in a specially-designed chair, with or without oil, often on-site.
Chronic		A disease or condition that develops slowly and lasts for a long time.
Compression		A massage (petrissage) stroke, applied with fist, palm, heel of hand or fingertips; used to spread tissue against underlying structures; can vary in pace and depth.
Connective Tissue		The most abundant type of tissue in the body, providing support, structure, framework, space, stabilization and scar formation; binds structures together.
Contraindication		Factors that indicate that the treatment is not advised, unless further evaluation by a physician can recommend a specific treatment plan.
Craniosacral		An osteopathic technique for finding and correcting cerebral and spinal imbalances or blockages that may cause tissue, emotional and postural dysfunction. No oils are used.
Deep Muscle Therapy		Works to stimulate the lymphatic and circulatory systems to promote cellular repair while removing hazardous toxins. Aimed at correcting and preventing serious muscle conditions, such as Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, and Parkinson's Disease.
Deep Tissue		A phrase which indicates client-directed area-specific massage, as opposed to relaxation massage. It releases the chronic patterns of tension in the body through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the contracted areas, either following or going across the grain of muscles, tendons and fascia. It is called deep tissue, because it also focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue.
Effleurage		This is a stroke generally used in a "Swedish" massage treatment. This smooth, gliding stroke is used to relax soft tissue and is applied using both hands.
Friction		This is the deepest of the Swedish massage strokes. This stroke encompasses deep, circular movements applied to soft tissue causing the underlying layers of tissue to rub against each other. The result triggers an increase in blood flow to the massaged area.
Healing Touch		An energy exchange therapy during which the practitioner uses the hands as a focus to facilitate the healing process and to induce deep relaxation.
Hyperemia		An excess of blood in an area or body part; usually indicated by red, flushed color or heat in the area.
Hyperesthesia		Unusual sensitivity to sensory stimulus, hyper irritability, or increased muscular sensitivity to pain.
Hypertonicity		Excess muscle tone.
Hypertrophy		An increased size in muscle or thickening of muscle tissue in response to increased stress.
Inflammation		Is characterized by pain, heat, redness, swelling; usually as a result of an injury or infection.
Integrative Manual Therapy		Practitioners use advanced palpation techniques to "listen" with their hands to locate and address specific issues in muscles, joint biomechanics, bones, organs, circulatory, lymphatic, immune, connective tissue, nervous system, and the bio-energy field.
Ischemia		Local and temporary decrease in blood flow to an area.
Joint Mobilization		There are many different movements of mobilization, some that help to decrease pain and others that help to increase the movement range of the joint. Typically, in physical therapy, mobilization is understood as a repetitive passive movement of varying amplitudes of low velocity applied at different parts of the range of motion depending on the effect desired.
Joint Play		The practitioner will move the joints to achieve full, pain-free range of motion with a special stretching technique. This technique is derived from the osteopathic system.
Kinesiology		A diagnostic tool that uses the neuromuscular system and other measurable parameters to aid in evaluating what is wrong, and what to do for a patient.
Kneading		Petrissage; rhythmical lifting of tissue; rolling or squeezing; pulling away from underlying tissue.
Lomi Lomi		An ancient Hawaiian healing art utilizing finger, palm and elbow strokes. Kukui nut, macadamia nut and coconut oils are used as lubricants and nutritional moisturizers during the massage.
Lymph Drainage Therapy		A hands-on method for lymphatic drainage utilizing all of the fingers to simulate wave-like movements. This enables the practitioner to feel the rhythm of the body fluids to determine the exact pressure, direction and rhythm needed. The results include reduction of certain types of edema (those resulting from trauma and/or scarring) and improved antibody response.
Muscle Energy Techniques		Treatments in which a patient, on request, actively uses his muscles from a controlled position in a specific direction against a counter force. These techniques are used to strengthen weak muscles, stretch tight muscles and fascia, mobilize joints in which movement is restricted, and to improve local circulation.
Muscle Spasm		A non-voluntary contraction of the motor unit of a muscle; usually causing a contraction without shortening the muscle; can be a result of mental, physical, emotional, or chemical stress.
Myofascial Release		Affecting the connective tissue of the body, it is a form of bodywork that is manipulative in nature and seeks to rebalance the body by releasing tension in the fascia. Long, stretching strokes are utilized to release muscular tension.
Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT)		Assessment and treatment of Postural Distortions, Biomechanical Dysfunction, and the Soft Tissue causes of these conditions.
On-Site Massage (see Chair Massage)		Administered while the client is clothed and seated in a specially designed chair. These chairs most often slope forward allowing access to the large muscles of the back, neck and shoulders. On-site massage usually lasts between 15 and 30 minutes and is intended to reduce stress and improve circulation.
Ortho Bionomy		A non-invasive, osteopathically-based form of body therapy where the practitioner uses gentle movements and positions of the body to facilitate the change of stress and pain patterns. A strong focus is placed on the comfort of the individual; no forceful manipulations are used. The practitioner also suggests home exercises that individuals can do to further facilitate the neuromuscular re-education process begun in the session.
Petrissage (also called Kneading)		Involves squeezing, rolling and kneading the muscles and usually follows effleurage during Swedish massage.
Polarity		Health system involving energy-based bodywork, diet, exercise and self-awareness. It works with the Human Energy Field, and electromagnetic patterns expressed in mental, emotional and physical experience.
Proprioceptor		A receptor located in muscles, tendons or joints that provides information about body movement and position.
Reflexive Effect		Secondary effects that occur as a result of the massage technique that we do not cause directly or manually.
Reflexology		Reflexology is the practice of stimulating the hands and the feet as a form of therapy, based around a system of points in the hands and feet thought to correspond, or "reflex," to all areas of the body.
Reiki		A method of natural healing based on the application of Universal Life Force Energy. The practitioner issues high frequency energy from their hands into another person to correct any imbalances in the receiver.
Rhythmic Mobilization		The therapist performs a series of movements (rocking and shaking) that are gradually increased and maintained to effect the stretching of tissues, which increases mobilization, and relaxation that prepares the client for massage.
Scar Tissue		Tissue that results from the healing of wounds. It is composed of collagenous fibers which will often restrict normal elasticity in the tissue involved.
Shiatsu (and Acupressure)		An Eastern therapy of physical and energy rebalance. Pressure with thumbs, fingers and palms applied to specific areas and points of the human body, without the use of any mechanical or other type instrument. Uses include correcting internal dysfunctions, promoting and keeping the health and treating specific illnesses.
Sports Massage		Massage therapy focusing on muscle systems relevant to a particular sport.
Stroke		A technique of therapeutic massage; applying to the surface or deeper structures of the body.
Structural Integration		A system of hands-on connective tissue manipulation and movement education aimed at releasing stress patterns, helping the client to move and function with greater freedom, and to maintain a more upright posture.
Swedish Massage		Manipulation of the soft tissues of the body, including skin, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and fascia. Most often performed with oil. Techniques include stroking, vibration, shaking, effleurage (light long strokes), petrissage (circular manipulation), tapotement (percussive techniques) and rocking.
Tapotement		Is executed with cupped hands, fingers or the edge of the hand with short, alternating taps to the client.
Thai Massage		A combination of Yoga stretches, stimulation of the meridians & Acupressure points, muscle massage and Joint manipulation/stimulation.
Therapeutic Touch		An energy exchange therapy during which the practitioner uses their hands as a focus to facilitate the healing process and to induce deep relaxation.
Trigger Points		Hyper-irritable areas occurring as small knots in the muscles throughout the body. They can also be felt as painful lumps of hardened fascia/connective tissue, and are painful when pressed. They can transfer pain and tenderness (known as "referral patterns") into the joints and muscles. In some cases, the referred pain (from an active trigger point) can mimic other ailments, like heart attacks or tendonitis.
Vibration		Fine or coarse tremulous movement that creates reflexive responses.
Zero Balancing		A hands-on bodywork system designed to align your energy body with your physical structure.

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