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The ABCs of Massage by Tera Schreiber

Ever have a pain in the neck? I’m talking about when your neck actually hurts, and not the neighbor who annoys you or the boss who drives you crazy. Either one though might lead to real pain if they cause you stress. And stress, especially if it plagues you for long periods of time, can cause you a lot of other problems, like compromising your immune system and making you more vulnerable to illness. Perhaps one of the most pleasant ways to relieve both stress and pain is through the healing touch of massage.

Massage is a broad term for a variety of different techniques, and the Puget Sound region offers a host of different ways to experience it. “When they hear the word ‘massage,’ most people think of Swedish massage and deep tissue massage,” says Laura Gilliam, LMP, CINT, who runs her own massage business, Big Change Bodywork. “Swedish massage is about improving circulation. Deep tissue massage is about balancing muscle tension. Most massage therapists use a combination of these techniques.”

Massage can have a therapeutic effect on lower back pain and other ailments, studies show. It is also believed by many to help improve immune and organ function, lower blood pressure, heal injuries and release endorphins.

Carolyn Mateos, LMP, a massage practitioner at Lynnwood’s Olympus Spa, says, “Massage warms the body’s soft tissues through friction and kneading, allowing muscles to release tension. This in turn allows blood, with its nutrients and oxygen, to flow more efficiently throughout the body, eliminate toxins and increase mobility of stiff areas.”

Gilliam says, “Massage is not something that just happens to you… the way to have a good experience is to know what you want.” Gilliam encourages people to think about what their goals are even before they book a massage. Because massage is a collaborative relationship, with the practitioner tuning in to your particular issues, you can decide what kind of therapy you need and then schedule the type of massage that’s best for you.

With so many different techniques, it’s not easy to know where to start. Here’s a quick primer on some common types of massage.

SWEDISH MASSAGE

Swedish massage is a technique of all-over body massage that uses firm pressure to relax the muscles. Swedish massage is really the grandfather of most Western massage techniques. If you choose a Swedish Massage, you can expect to lie on a table, under a sheet, and have a massage therapist use oil to vigorously rub, knead and tap your body, all with the goal of increasing oxygen flow in the blood and releasing toxins from the muscles. Swedish massage stimulates the skin as well as the muscles. Many people find that it shortens recovery time from muscular strain. Some use it as a regular stress-management technique. And because it feels so good, you may just fall in love with it.

Expect to pay $60–80 for an hour.

FASCIAL RELEASE

Fascia is soft, fibrous connective tissue that supports the muscles and organs in the body. It has been described as being like a sweater inside the body and, like a sweater, when the stitches are too tight in places the fit is distorted. Therapists use fascial release to correct those tight spots by stretching, pressing, or kneading the tissue, allowing the “sweater” to fit smoothly. Therapists may also address posture issues with their clients as those also affect the health of the fascia.

“There are a lot of flavors of fascial release,” says Gilliam. “What makes it unique in the world of massage is that it involves a technique of working through habitual movements to release chronic patterns. It can make big changes with people without hurting. Fascial release does not have to be painful.”

Expect to pay $60–80 for an hour of fascial release.

DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE

Deep Tissue Massage is applied most commonly to areas of chronic muscle tension or injury. As its name indicates, it is intended to reach the deeper layers of connective tissue in the body. It can be very intense, as the massage therapist works really hard to make an impact on the deepest muscles and fascia in your body.

Many find that deep tissue massage reduces inflammation and scar tissue, although after a very intense massage you may have tender muscles for a few days. If you are seeking overall relaxation, this form of massage is probably not for you. However, if you are seeing a massage therapist to help resolve pain issues, deep tissue massage might be just what you need.

Expect to pay $60–80 for an hour of deep tissue massage.

SHIATSU

Shiatsu is a massage practice that was created in Japan in the early 1900s and is based on traditional Chinese medical theory. The practitioner uses a hands-on technique of pressure and stretching that is intended to smooth out blocks of qi (in Chinese medicine, the energy or “life force” that resides in the body). Zen Shiatsu is a form of Shiatsu in which the practitioner works with the meridians, as with acupuncture. Other Shiatsu practitioners may work with specific points on the muscles. Either way, the client remains fully clothed and the work is done on a table or on a futon on the floor. The practitioner applies pressure to the body and manipulates the limbs to achieve a healthy stretch. The pressure and stretching are intended to help the flow of qi without restriction.

While having a massage is a fairly passive activity, Alison Day, LMP, from Zen Shiatsu Seattle, says that Shiatsu, though quiet and meditative, is enhanced by the active participation of the client. “There seems to be a dialogue between the receiver and giver,” she says. “The receiver is not passive. If I lean on to a point, and my client tells me that it feels sore, I ask that client to breathe into that point. When a client works with me in this way, the session seems to have deeper benefits.” According to Day, Shiatsu techniques are especially helpful for people who suffer from headaches, tight neck muscles or low back pain.

Expect to pay $75 for an hour of Shiatsu.

CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY

Craniosacral therapy is a gentle massage technique that restores balance to the body by working with the spine and skull. In a treatment session, a craniosacral therapist applies a very light touch to the cranium and spinal areas to correct imbalances in the rest of the body. Proponents say that craniosacral therapy eases nerve restriction, increases the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, and restores the bones to proper alignment, creating a feeling of wellness and relaxation. Many chiropractors and naturopathic doctors offer craniosacral treatments to adults and children alike.

Gilliam uses craniosacral therapy in her practice and has noticed firsthand how its gentle adjustments can cause a big shift in the health of her clients. For example, a child may have a fall ice skating, landing on his butt and bumping his head on the ice. “Beyond the obvious pain, that injury can even have emotional results,” Gilliam says. Tantrums in children can result from falls like this, which children experience repeatedly through an active life of play. “Craniosacral work can help put the balance together again, allowing both the tantrums and physical pain to cease,” she says.

The cost of craniosacral therapy varies by practitioner; some health insurance plans will cover the cost under some diagnoses and with a physician’s referral; you should confirm benefits before expecting an insurance company to pay for the cost of treatment.

THAI MASSAGE

Thai massage is probably like nothing you would expect from a massage because it involves no rubbing or kneading whatsoever. Thai massage incorporates the concepts of meridians from Chinese medicine (called “sens” in Thai massage) and yoga from India. “When energy is stuck in the body,” says Thai massage practitioner Grainne McKeown, L.Ac., from Seattle Thai Massage, “we use the sens to move that energy.” A Thai Massage practitioner will then manipulate the client’s body into stretches similar to yoga poses.

“The client is totally relaxed, focusing on breathing and nothing else,” explains McKeown. She does all of the work, gently moving the client’s body into a stretch. “At the end, people feel very energized.”

Sometimes called “lazy man’s yoga,” Thai massage is popular among yoga fans, as you might expect. However, it’s also commonly enjoyed by people whose muscles feel really tight and wish to become more flexible, by those who are intimidated by yoga classes, and by people who have injuries — especially those that come from tension or repetitive stress.

Thai massage practitioners may or may not be licensed massage practitioners. Under state law the practice actually falls under the category of yoga therapy. When considering a Thai massage, McKeown, who is a licensed acupuncturist and has trained for Thai massage extensively in Thailand, recommends asking about the therapist’s training. Did he or she study in Thailand or do a residency or internship there? If yes, that’s a good sign. How long did she study with her teachers? The training should be significant enough to assure you that she has properly learned the techniques.

Expect to pay $120 for an hour and a half of Thai massage.

REFLEXOLOGY

Some believe that reflexology has been around since Ancient Egypt or even earlier. Today, it is alive and well as a popular treatment for a variety of ills. The theory behind reflexology is that reflexes in the feet, hands and ears all have connections to other parts of the body, and that applying pressure to these reflexes can bring normal functioning to their corresponding specific locations, gland or organ.

To receive the best reflexology treatment, make sure that your therapist has actually been trained in the technique. Some spas call a simple foot massage a reflexology treatment. A reflexologist is actually trained in the technique and understands the “maps” and referral points that they stimulate. For example, research shows that certain acupressure points on the ankle can start uterine contractions in pregnant women. A trained reflexologist will know to avoid these points in early pregnancy, or to stimulate them in a pregnant woman who is overdue and eager for the arrival of her baby.

Expect to pay $70–80 for an hour of reflexology.

HOT STONE MASSAGE

Hot stone massage definitely sounds like a luxury service. Smooth stones are warmed in water and the massage practitioner uses oil to slide the stones onto the skin, taking the place of hands. “It feels extremely relaxing because the warmth gets really deep,” says Stephanie Simonelli, clinic administrator for Massage Envy on Capitol Hill. “When I have hot stone massage, I feel like I have been in a hot tub for two hours. It’s really relaxing on a deep level.”

Expect to pay $120–150 for an hour.

A note on tipping: There is some controversy about tipping in the massage industry. Some massage therapists and businesses accept and even expect tips. Some refuse them, even when offered. The best course is to ask. It might feel a bit awkward, but no more awkward than making the mistake of assuming the wrong thing!

Tera Schreiber is a freelance writer and grateful connoisseur of massage services.

©Copyright 2009, Caliope Publishing Company