Massage Styles

Types of Massage

There are many different types, styles, or modalities of massage to the professional massage therapist or bodyworker. These pages will focus on the massage techniques that Jason uses in his regular massages. It is of value however to recognize that there are many other massage and bodywork styles out there, each with their own benefits, and to explore the possibilities.

Many massage styles differ primarily in their philosophy and the goals they are trying to accomplish. For example, Swedish Massage focuses on improving the flow of blood and lymph while Lymphatic Drainage focuses on encouraging the Lymphatic System to process lymphatic fluid more quickly and efficiently and re-incorporate the useful fluid into the blood, therefore reducing swelling and lymphedema. Another style, such as Connective Tissue Therapy, differs by focusing on a different physical structure, specifically the connective tissue and fascia of the body. Other types of bodywork, such as Reiki and Polarity, differ in that they are not even working with physical or western medical anatomy and are instead focusing on energetic anatomy with other roots.

Connective Tissue Therapy

Connective Tissue Therapy, related to such modalities as Bindenwebin, Myofascial, and Structural Integration, focuses on the connective tissues of the body. Connective tissue includes fascia, ligaments, tendons, blood, lymph, cerebrospinal fluid, and synovial (joint) fluid. This tissue wraps every muscle fiber, bundle of fibers, and muscle group, extends into tendons connecting muscle to bone, wraps the bones and becomes tendons connecting bone to bone, and ultimately wraps the total body that is then covered with skin. It serves the purpose of insulating, separating, and connecting tissues as appropriate. A common physical example of connective tissue is the white film on fresh skinless chicken.

Connective tissue can become cold and stiff in response to injury or lack of movement. Connective Tissue Therapy and the other related modalities focus on warming and loosening the connective tissue so that it works more efficiently. This allows muscles to contract and relax and reduces adhesions between muscles, ultimately allowing greater ease, increased range of motion, less pain, and decreased likelihood of future injury.

Connective Tissue Therapy, as a massage style, can be very relaxing or very edgy, and is therapeutic either way, depending on how it is used by the therapist. It certainly can be a 'deep tissue' modality if that is how it is being used and what the client is seeking.

Neuromuscular Therapy

Neuromuscular Therapy, related to Trigger Point Therapy, focuses on the connection between the nervous system and the muscular system by working on the muscle contraction points. The muscles can get into a feedback loop (Neuromuscular Reflex Arc) where tension results in a signal from the reflexive nervous system to the muscle to contract, which results in more tension and another contraction signal.

Neuromuscular Therapy involves the use of steady pressure on a point of contraction, sometimes referred to as a 'trigger point' to interrupt the Neuromuscular Reflex Arc and get the brain involved. Ultimately, people become more aware of where and why they have pain and dysfunctional trigger points are alleviated.

These points commonly have referral pain patterns. These patterns may be very local to the spot, radiating just an inch or two from the trigger point, or they may be referring to completely different parts of the body. A common example of a trigger point and referred pain is a 'stress headache' that may be felt throughout the shoulder and neck, behind and over the ear, and behind the eyes and jaw. This pattern is a common and well-documented referral pattern for the trapezius muscle. Working out the trigger point and relaxing the muscle will frequently alleviate the headache.

Neuromuscular Therapy is commonly used in 'deep tissue' massage as well as by Chiropractors and Physical Therapists. It is not generally considered a relaxing massage however the results of reduced pain and increased range of motion can be very relaxing in the long run.

Craniosacral Therapy

Craniosacral Therapy, sometimes referred to as Cranialsacral or Sacred Cranial, is a very relaxing healing style. Jason is on the certification track for Craniosacral Therapy through The Milne Institute and with the intention to eventually study under other teachers in this wonderful healing style.

Quoting the Milne Institute website for a accurate and understandable description of Craniosacral Therapy:

'Craniosacral Work is an evolution out of Cranial Osteopathy, a specialization of the osteopathic profession that was introduced to the world in the 1930s by an American osteopath and visionary called William Garner Sutherland.

Craniosacral therapists often focus upon optimizing the position, fluid movement ('wave') and energy (piezoelectric charge and chi) of these parts of the craniosacral system. Or they may focus on bringing the craniosacral system back to balance in the central line of the body, called 'midline.' Some schools focus on differing wave states, tides, and opening to the arrival of stillness.'

The view of Craniosacral Therapy taught by the Milne Institute is based both on physical anatomy and on energetic anatomy. They teach both the physical technique and the logical reasons to use a specific technique as well as the use of intuition to distinguish between when the client's condition calls for the technique and when it feels right, and probably is right, to actually use it. Craniosacral Therapy is most effectively taught from a combination and balance logical and the intuitive approaches.

The work itself is subtle and meditative, and its strength and results come from its subtlety. The deep state of relaxation the approach generates encourages the body to heal itself while the application of the proper technique at the right time can induce other physical and energetic changes to assist the body in healing itself.

Usui/Raku Kei Reiki

The final major bodywork technique incorporated into Jason's massage and bodywork sessions is Reiki. Reiki focuses on working with the human energy field, which includes chakras, the auric field, and other energetic structures. The philosophy of Reiki is that the body wants to be healthy and that when the energy flows efficiently the body can move in greater ease and therefore less dis-ease and disease.

Physically, the session is very relaxing and meditative. A relaxed state allows the nervous system to switch from the Sympathetic to the Parasympathetic. When this occurs, the blood pressure normalizes and blood flow decreases to the major muscle groups and increases to the organs. The result is that digestion and clarity improves and the immune system becomes stronger.

Other Systems

Other major bodywork styles incorporated into Jason's massage sessions include Polarity Therapy and Lymphatic Drainage.

Polarity Therapy provides a better understanding of the energetic systems of the body and how they affect a person's health. Polarity Therapy is a very relaxing and intertwines very well with many other bodywork systems.

Lymphatic Drainage is a wonderful healing system for reducing swelling caused by lymphatic fluid accumulating in the limbs. The technique is light and gentle and very effective. Clients who have been receiving Lymphatic Drainage have reported continuing and long-lasting benefits.

Integration and Summary

The total combination of these massage styles allows Jason to work with many of the different conditions that effect a person's health. The total session can be as relaxing as the client wants but can also be therapeutically beneficial. While an entire massage or bodywork session can focus on just one or two styles of bodywork, Jason's best work happens when he is able to work with all of these styles in one integrated massage system.