Glossary
A – B – C – D – E – F – G – H – I – J – K – L – M – N – O – P – Q – R – S – T – U – V – W – X – Y – Z
Acupressure ‘a-ky&-
: the application of pressure (as with the thumbs or fingertips) to the same discrete points on the body stimulated in acupuncture that is used for its therapeutic effects (as the relief of tension or pain)
Acupuncture a-cu-ˌpə©¯(k)-chər
a technique of inserting and manipulating fine filiform needles into specific points on the body with the aim of relieving pain and for therapeutic purposes. According to traditional Chinese acupuncture theory, these acupuncture points lie along meridians along which qi, the vital energy, flows.
Addiction Treatments
Alexander Technique ˌa-lig-ˈzan-dər tek-ˈnçk
a technique of body reeducation and coordination, accomplished through physical and psychological principles. The technique focuses on the self-perception of movement and has applications in alleviating back pain, promoting rehabilitation after accidents, improving breathing, playing musical instruments or singing, and other stress-related habits.
The technique is taught in lessons, through a combination of hands-on coaching and verbal explanation. During lessons, which may last from 30 minutes to an hour, students, guided by the teacher, inhibit habitual reactions and instead find newer and more efficient ways to perform simple tasks, like walking, standing, and sitting.
Allergy Therapy
Aromatherapy ə-ˌrô-mə-ˈther-ə-pç
a form of alternative medicine that uses volatile liquid plant materials, known as essential oils (EOs), and other aromatic compounds from plants for the purpose of affecting a person’s mood or health. Aromatherapy is a generic term that refers to any of the various traditions that make use of essential oils sometimes in combination with other alternative medical practices and spiritual beliefs. Popular use of these products include massaging products, medicine, or any topical application that incorporates the use of essential oils to their products. It has a particularly Western currency and persuasion. Medical treatment involving aromatic compounds may exist outside of the West, but may or may not be included in the term ‘aromatherapy’.
Ayurveda ˌî-ər-ˈvâ-də
a system of traditional medicine native to India, and practiced in other parts of the world as a form of alternative medicine. In Sanskrit, the word Ayurveda comprises the words âyus, meaning ‘life’ and veda, meaning ’science’.
Ayurveda stresses a balance of three substances: wind/spirit/air, phlegm, and bile, each representing divine forces. The doctrine of these three Dosas (Devanâgarî: त्रिदॊश्)—vata (wind/spirit/air), pitta (bile) and kapha (phlegm)—is important. Traditional beliefs hold that humans possess a unique constellation of Dosas. In Ayurveda, the human body has 20 Guna (Devanâgarî: गुन, meaning quality). Surgery and surgical instruments are employed. It is believed that building a healthy metabolic system, attaining good digestion, and proper excretion leads to vitality. Ayurveda also focuses on exercise, yoga, meditation, and massage.
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this is the description
Bach Flower Remedies
Bio-Resonance
Bowen Technique
Chair/Seated Massage ‘cher/’sE-t&d m&-’säzh, -’säj , noun
Chair massage, also known as corporate or seated massage, can be a convenient method of massage therapy. A chair massage session typically lasts 12-24 minutes, and is performed while fully clothed. Chair massage includes bodywork and somatic techniques, such as shiatsu and Swedish massage, provided to the fully clothed client in a variety of settings. Strokes by the therapist may include pressing, stretching, and percussive manipulations with the thumbs, fingers, arms, elbows, knees, and feet on acupressure points along the body’s fourteen main meridians. This form of massage focuses on reducing tension in the back, neck, shoulders, head, arms, hands, legs or feet.
CranioSacral Therapy SM krA-nE-O-’sa-kr&l ‘ther-&-pE, noun
CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the functioning of a physiological body system called the craniosacral system—comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. CranioSacral therapy is most often utilized to treat neurological disorders including ADHD, autism, and acute stress disorders.
Chakra Balancing
Chinese Medicine
Chiropractic
Colon Hydrotherapy
Color Therapy
Crystal Therapy
Deep Tissue Massage ‘dEp ‘ti-(“)shü m&-’säzh, -’säj, noun
Deep tissue techniques are generally designed for more focused massage work. Working a specific joint, muscle or muscle group, the practitioner can access deeper layers of the soft tissue. Starting superficially and easing into the depth of the muscle slowly often allows more movement. This is the recommended approach in this modality since each person experiences pressure differently. If the pressure is applied too deeply or too quickly, the muscle may tighten to protect that area, and unnecessary damage or inflammation can be induced. Very little lubricant is used as the pressure doesn’t travel much over the skin.
The most commonly used ‘tools’ during deep tissue massage may include, 3 and 6 fingers, reinforced fingers, a flat elbow, opposing thumbs, the heel of the hand or foot, and the forearm.
Daoyin Tao
Energy Work ‘e-n&r-jE ‘w&rk, noun
A general term for bodywork that is not of a particularly physical nature. Intent is a large part of the modus operandi; the tool is intent, aural energy, or energetic vibrations of the bodyworker sent to the touched or non-touched areas of the body on which the bodyworker is focusing the intent. Some examples of Energy Work are: Reiki, Laying of Hands, Touch for Health, Acupressure, and Touch Therapy.
Ear Candling
Thermo-auricular
Electronic Gem Therapy
Emotional Freedom Technique
Energy Therapy
Feldenkrais
Feng Shui
Herbal Medicine
Homeopathy
Hydrotherapy
Indian Head Massage
Iridology
Kinesiology
LomiLomi Massage ‘lO-mE ‘lO-mE m&-’säzh, -’säj, noun
Lomilomi massage is an ancient art from the Hawaiian healing specialists. Lomilomi practitioners use the palms, forearm, fingers, knuckles, elbows, knees, feet, even sticks and stones. Lomilomi practices varied by family, ahupua’a (region) and island.
LomiLomi is the word used today to describe Hawaiian massage, traditionally called lomi (Hawaiian: To rub, press, squeeze, massage; to work in and out, as the claws of a contented cat).
Light Therapy
Massage Therapy m&-’säzh, -’säj ‘ther-&-pE, noun
: manipulation of tissues (as by rubbing, kneading, or tapping) with the hand or an instrument for therapeutic purposes.
Etymology: French, from masser to massage, from Arabic massa to stroke
Myofascial Release® mI-O-’fa-sh(E-)&l ri-’lEs, noun
Myofascial Release® refers to the manual massage technique for stretching the fascia and releasing bonds between fascia and integument, muscles, and bones, with the goal of eliminating pain, increasing range of motion and balancing the body. Injuries, stress, trauma, overuse and poor posture can cause restriction to fascia. Myofascial release frees fascial restrictions, and allow the muscles to move efficiently. This is usually done by applying shear, compression or tension in various directions, or by skin rolling.
Magnet Therapy
Meditation
Neuromuscular Therapy “nur-O-’m&s-ky&-l&r, “nyur- ‘ther-&-pE, noun
Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT) is used for pain relief and specific problems. Structural and postural imbalances are identified through an initial postural assessment. These are then addressed through systematic and site specific massage. NMT reduces pain, tension, postural imbalance, and lengthens and strengthens tissues.
Naturopathy
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)
Osteopathy
Pilates
Physiotherapy
Qi Gong (Chi Kung)
Reflexology “rE-”flek-’sä-l&-jE, noun
1 : the study and interpretation of behavior in terms of simple and complex reflexes
2 : massage of the hands or feet based on the belief that pressure applied to specific points on these extremities benefits other parts of the body
Rolfing® ‘rol-fi[ng], service mark
Rolfing®, a method of Structural Integration, is a codified series of soft tissue manipulation, which purports to organize soft tissue relationships, with the objectives of realigning the body structurally and harmonizing its fundamental movement patterns. This is said to enhance vitality and well-being.
Reiki
Shiatsu shE-’ät-(“)sü, noun
Japanese: from shi, meaning finger, and atsu, meaning pressure; Shiatsu is a form of Japanese massage that uses thumb pressure and works along the energy meridians in the body also with a lot of stretches the same meridians as acupressure. You are worked on fully clothed on a mat on the floor.
“Shiatsu technique refers to the use of fingers and palm of one’s hand to apply pressure to particular sections on the surface of the body for the purpose of correcting the imbalances of the body, and for maintaining and promoting health. It is also a method contributing to the healing of specific illnesses.”
Japanese medical department of the Ministry of Welfare
Sports Massage Therapy ’sports m&-’säzh, -’säj ‘ther-&-pE, noun
One of the fastest growing forms of treatment for athletes for the prevention of injuries, enhancing performance and in rehabilitation. The sports therapist applies a range of techniques including therapeutic soft tissue massage, gentle mobilization, and stretching techniques to restore function to muscles and joints before, during and following sporting participation. Sports Therapy is founded upon an intimate understanding of the structure and biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system.
Stone Therapy ’stOn ‘ther-&-pE, noun
AKA Hot Stone Therapy/Massage. A mode of massage in which smooth hot or cold stones, usually basalt or marble, are used to massage the body. When heated stones are used muscles relax allowing the massage therapist to work deeper into the muscle without the discomfort of regular deep tissue massage. Sufferers of sinus congestion usually find relief when cold stones are placed on the sinuses. Energy work is sometimes incorporated into Stone Massage. Stones may be placed on key energy points, such as Chakras or meridians, in order to improve energy flow and healing.
Swedish Massage ’swE-dish m&-’säzh, -’säj, noun
This style utilizes long, flowing strokes, often but not necessarily in the direction of the heart. Swedish massage is designed to increase circulation and blood flow. There are six basic strokes: effleurage, petrissage, friction, tapotement, compression and vibration. Talcum powder, oil, cream, or lotion is applied on the skin to reduce friction and allow smooth strokes.
Scenar Therapy
Shamanic Healing
Spiral Release Bodywork
Thai Massage ‘tI m&-’säzh, -’säj, noun
Known in Thailand as Nuat phaen boran, which correctly translates only as ancient massage or traditional massage, this form of massage is also known as Thai ancient massage, traditional Thai massage, Thai yoga massage, yoga massage, Thai classical massage, Thai bodywork, passive yoga or assisted yoga. It is usually soothing because of its emphasis on stretching and loosening the body. Its roots go back far into history, originating in India based on the Ayurveda, and then becoming popular in ancient Siam, now known as Thailand. The massage recipient changes into loose, comfortable clothes and lies on a mat or firm mattress on the floor. The receiver is put into many yoga like positions during the course of the massage. The massage practitioner leans on the recipient’s body using hands and forearms to apply firm rhythmic pressure to almost every part of the recipient’s body. The massage generally follows the Sen lines on the body-somewhat analogous to Chinese Meridians and Indian nadis. In some gestures, legs and feet of the giver are used to fixate the body or limbs of the recipient. In other gestures, hands fixate the body, while the feet do the massaging action. Oil is not used in traditional Thai Massage. A full Thai massage session typically lasts 1 hour or more, and includes rhythmic pressing and stretching of the entire body; this may include pulling fingers, toes, ears etc., cracking the knuckles, walking on the recipient’s back, arching the recipient’s back in a rolling action etc. There is a standard procedure and rhythm to the massage.
Trigger Point Therapy ‘tri-g&r ‘point ‘ther-&-pE, noun
A trigger point is an area of a muscle (about 50 cells) that may refer pain sensations to other parts of the body. Trigger Point Therapy applies manual pressure, or CO2 injections, to these points. With the proper pressure, duration and location, immediate release of tension and improved muscular functioning may occur. This therapy has been known to diminish migraine pain, mock sciatica, mock carpal tunnel syndrome and other pain syndromes, and other symptoms that may have been misdiagnosed.
Trager Approach ‘trA-g&r &-’prOch ,service mark
The Trager Approach is a mind-body approach to movement education. It is a system of gentle, rhythmic movement and touch aimed at facilitating deep relaxation, increased physical mobility, and promoting the body’s optimal performance. There are two aspects of the approach – one in which the client passively receives the movement work on a padded table from a Trager practitioner; and in the other aspect, the client is taught to actively explore comfortable, free movement for themselves, called Mentastics.
Tai Chi
Thought Field Therapy
Tui Na
Water Therapy
Women’s Health
Yoga
Primary definitions courtesy of Wikipedia
