Selected Massage & Bodywork Terms - Defined

deep tissue massage - targeted work on certain muscles or muscle groups that might need some extra attention or that cannot be accessed without stronger pressure. This technique delivers direct, deep, and deliberate pressure to the target area with its slow and intensive moves.

masseur - see also masseuse - a French word describing a male who performs massage. We prefer to use massage therapist or massage practitioner to describe ourselves, as these terms more accurately reflect the health care professionals we are by training and practice.

masseuse - see also masseur - a French word describing a female who performs massage. This is perhaps the most common word many Americans know to describe a person who does massages. As professionals in the massage field, we prefer to use terms like massage therapist or massage practitioner to describe ourselves. These terms more accurately reflect the health care professionals we are by training and practice.

myofascial release - a non-massage method that complements other work with its effective means of addressing trouble areas of the body via sustained pulls and/or stretches. It aims to address restrictions in the body's connective tissue, or fascia.

reiki - a relaxing, often warming non-massage method of Japanese origin considered to promote healing. It is energy work aimed at balancing and increasing "life force energy" to improve well being. It is a technique administered to a fully clothed client, and is aimed to boost the healing, regenerative powers and processes of the body and mind.

Swedish massage - a traditional and very effective method to produce radiant relaxation and to address general muscular concerns. This, and most massage methods can alleviate pain, soothe tight muscles, enhance the immune system, and support the body's circulatory and lymphatic systems.

trigger point therapy - targeted work to release tight spots in muscles that are sometimes called knots. While massage is often considered relaxing, trigger point work can be somewhat painful, but in a good way, and we work carefully with you to assure your tolerance and that no tissue damage results.