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Swedish. One of the most commonly taught and well-known massage techniques, Swedish massage is a vigorous system of treatment designed to energize the body by stimulating circulation. Five basic strokes, all flowing toward the heart, are used to manipulate the soft tissues of the body. The disrobed client is covered by a sheet, with only the area being worked on exposed. Therapists use a combination of kneading, rolling, vibrational, percussive, and tapping movements, with the application of oil, to reduce friction on the skin. The many benefits of Swedish massage may include generalized relaxation, dissolution of scar tissue adhesions, and improved circulation, which may speed healing and reduce swelling from injury.
Myofascial and Triggerpoint Therapy. Based on the discoveries of Drs. Janet Travell and David Simons in which they found the causal relationship between chronic pain and its source, myofascial trigger point therapy is used to relieve muscular pain and dysfunction through applied pressure to trigger points of referred pain and through stretching exercises. These points are defined as localized areas in which the muscle and connective tissue are highly sensitive to pain when compressed. Pressure on these points can send referred pain to other specific parts of the body.
Aromatherapy. The use of essential oils (which are extracted from herbs, flowers, resin, woods,  and roots) in body and skin care treatments is known as aromatherapy. Used as a healing technique for thousands of years by the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, essential oils aid in relaxation, improve circulation, and help the healing of wounds. Aromatherapy diffusers are utilized to fill the massage room with the scent of the oils. Specific essential oils are blended by the aromatherapist and added to a carrier oil, such as almond oil, to be used during the massage. Each of the oils has its own unique characteristics and benefits. Use of this technique declined as the modern pharmaceutical industry developed. However, the French chemist Gattefossé revived the art by coining the term aromatherapy and by publishing a book on the subject in 1928.
Reflexology. Based on an ancient Chinese therapy, reflexology involves manipulation of specific reflex areas in the foot, hands, and ears that correspond to other parts of the body. Sometimes referred to as zone therapy, this bodywork involves application of pressure to these reflex zones to stimulate body organs and relieve areas of congestion. Similar to acupressure principles, reflexology works with the body’s energy flow to stimulate self-healing and maintain balance in physical function. Developed in the United States in the early 1900s, this technique is used today to reduce pain, increase relaxation, and stimulate circulation of blood and lymphatic fluids. It is especially useful in stress-related illness and emotional disorders. Reflexology is also convenient in cases where an area of the body is traumatized or diseased to the extent that direct manipulation is not appropriate
Healing Touch. Healing Touch is an energy-based therapeutic approach to healing. Healing Touch uses touch to influence the energy system, thus affecting physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health, and healing. The goal of Healing Touch is to restore harmony and balance in the energy system to help the person to self-heal. The quality and impact of the healing is influenced by the relationship between the giver and receiver.
 Chakra Balancing. The chakras are the energy vortex that we have in our bodies that bring in the universal energies we need to remain living. Chakra is the Sanskrit word for moving wheel. The chakras are vortexes of energy present in the ethereal body and in related locations of the physical body. There are seven major chakras and they function as pathways for energy to be taken in, metabolized and sent to the major nerve center nearest each one. The chakras are located along the line of the spinal column and are composed of high frequency energy strands that the spiritual eye perceives as light. The life force is channeled to the physical body and its organs via the nadis and meridians and enters the body through the chakras. The degree of chakra activity depends on a combination of the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual development of the individual. Chakras can be damaged or blocked through an emotional upset such as conflict, loss, or accident. Fear, anxiety and stress are common causes of chakra malfunction, and it is the disruption of the chakra and aura that create disease and disturb the energy balance of the chakras. Psychological problems may cause 'blockages', obstructing the flow of energy into or out of the chakras. Balancing the chakras by smoothing out the energy vortexes using a number of energetic methods helps rebalance the body.
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