Massage is as old as humanity itself. Massage therapy is the treatment of superficial parts of the body by rubbing, stroking, kneading, or slapping. Massages are usually performed to relieve muscle stiffness, spasms, or cramps, and to relieve anxiety, stress, and tension.

There are many different types of massage. The types of massage are grouped by their place of origin: "western" or "eastern."

Some of the most common Western types of massage are: Swedish, Escalen, Reflexology, Deep Tissue Massage, Myotherapy and Myofascial Therapy (both are types of "Trigger Point" Therapy), Neuromuscular Therapy, and Connective Tissue Therapy. Western types of massage are based on an anatomical understanding of the body.

Some of the most common Eastern types of massage are: Shiatsu, Reiki, Acupressure, and Polarity. Eastern types of massage involve an understanding of the body's energy.

Each person responds differently to massage, and there isn't just one style that is best for everyone. Basic massage techniques such as stroking, kneading, and rubbing stimulate physical and emotional healing by performing physical therapy on the parts of the body that are being massaged, and by stimulation of the lymphatic system. (The lymphatic system carries waste products out of the body and defends the body against infection.)

There are four main stages of healing through massage: relief, correction, strengthening, and maintenance.

The first few sessions of massage therapy will usually be designed to relieve pain, reduce muscle tension, and relax stressed nerves. The relief sessions are aimed at the symptoms of the problem.

When the pain is gone, the therapist will work on the problem that caused the pain. Techniques will be aimed at stimulating the body's lymphatic system and freeing knotted and scarred muscle fibers.

Strengthening is important in a badly damaged area. Weakness at the injury site can mean recurring problems. Techniques will be aimed at strengthening the tissues near the injury, enabling them to provide adequate support when the injury is healed.

Maintenance is the final stage in healing and the first step in preventing other injuries. Maintenance techniques are aimed at treating the problem and preventing the occurrence of new problems.

Massage reduces stress, both emotional and physical, and is often suggested in a regular program for stress management. Massage affects the nerves, muscles, glands, and circulation, while promoting health and well-being. Massage also has many specific medical uses. It can be a deeply relaxing experience, and regular massage sessions help prevent the build-up of stress in our daily lives. Following a massage treatment, the individual may have feelings of increased vitality and relaxation. Massage may also help to improve or protect a person's memory.

The term "Swedish Massage" refers to a variety of techniques specifically designed to relax muscles by applying pressure to them against deeper muscles and bones, and rubbing in the same direction as the flow of blood returning to the heart. The main purpose of Swedish massage is to increase the oxygen flow in the blood and release toxins from the muscles. Swedish massage was developed in the 1700's by a Swedish doctor named Per Henrik Ling.

Swedish massage shortens recovery time from muscular strain by flushing the tissues of lactic acid, uric acid, and other metabolic wastes. It increases circulation without increasing heart load. It stretches the ligaments and tendons keeping them supple and pliable. Swedish massage also stimulates the skin and nervous system and soothes the nerves at the same time.

"Shiatsu" is a Japanese word that means "finger pressure." A Shiatsu treatment also incorporates the use not only of finger pressure, but also of thumbs, palms, forearms, elbows, knees, and feet. Pressure is applied to the areas of energy lines ("meridians") to promote good health by stimulating the body's energy flow ("Ki").

A Shiatsu session usually lasts between 40 minutes and one hour, and usually takes place on a padded mat on the floor. The session often begins with gentle stretching and manipulation techniques to help stimulate the movement of energy and to relax the muscles. Pressure can be applied to wide areas of the body as well as to precise points and can be varied according to the body's needs. Sometimes the pressure can be gentle and calming; sometimes the pressure can be deeply stimulating. The amount and type of pressure depends on the specific needs of the individual. Unlike most types of massage, the person being massaged in a Shiatsu session does not need to disrobe.

Sports Massage is a special form of massage and is typically used before, during, and after athletic events. Sports massage has many benefits. In addition to feeling good, sports massage reduces the heart rate and blood pressure, increases blood circulation and lymph flow, reduces muscle tension, improves flexibility, and relieves pain.

The main purpose of sports massage therapy is to help alleviate the stress and tension that builds up in the body's soft tissues during physical activity. Where minor injuries and lesions occur (due to overexertion and/or overuse), massage can break them down quickly and effectively. Sports massage can also help prevent those niggling injuries that so often get in the way of peak performance and achievement, whether a person is a professional athlete or a weekend jogger.

Each type of sport makes different demands on the players; each sport uses muscle groups in a different way. Sports massage is designed to address those specific concerns and may differ according to the sport the athlete plays. Depending on the needs of the athlete, a variety of techniques are used. The techniques often involve a blend of traditional Swedish Massage and Shiatsu specifically designed to treat professional athletes. The purpose of the massage is to prepare the athlete for peak performance, to drain away fatigue, to relieve swelling, to reduce muscle tension, to promote flexibility, and to prevent injuries. Sports massage can be designed to help heal strained muscles and allow healthy ones to reach peak performance, and then help maintain that level of performance while minimizing the risk of future injury.

Acupressure is similar to acupuncture but is done without needles. Energy is stimulated or sedated to achieve changes throughout the body.

CranioSacral balances the fluid in the brain and spinal cord to bring the central nervous system into harmony.

Postural integration is focused on achieving perfect postural balance. (This is usually a ten session program.)

Reflexology stimulates the reflexes in the feet and hands to relax the body.

Reiki is a self-help treatment that deals with channeling the energy of the body to enhance the quality of life.

Swedish massage stimulates the skin and nervous system, increasing the oxygen flow in the blood and releasing toxins from the muscles using long, flowing strokes.

Shiatsu applies pressure to the body's energy lines ("meridians") to relax the muscles, promoting good health by stimulating the body's energy flow.

Trigger point massage works out the knots in the muscles by applying direct pressure to the knot and then relaxing it.

Hot stone massage is a relaxing therapy that uses hot stones on the back to relax the muscles. The heat goes deep into the muscles and gets rid of knots.

Wraps are a very relaxing aromatherapy treatment in which the body is heated for several minutes by being wrapped in order to bring blood to the surface.

Aromatherapy combines the therapeutic properties of essential oils with specific massage techniques to promote health and well-being.

Deep-tissue massage is a massage technique that focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue to release the chronic patterns of tension in the body. A deep-tissue massage helps loosen muscle tissues, release toxins from the muscles, and get blood and oxygen circulating properly.

Effleurage consists of long, flowing or gliding strokes, performed with open hands. Effleurage is usually performed in the direction of the heart to promote circulation and lymphatic drainage.

Chair massage can be a convenient method of massage therapy. A session typically lasts 10-20 minutes, and is performed while fully clothed. Chair massage promotes better circulation, muscle stimulation, and stress relief by reducing tension in the back, neck, shoulders, head, arms, hands, legs or feet, and produces a deep relaxation effect.