Most therapists, myself included, employ many different massage modalities during any session. Because I’m often asked the difference in these techniques/styles, I thought I’d describe a few of the major modalities practiced in the U.S. and Canada. Keep in mind, every therapist will develop their own style over time and often these techniques will blend into each other.

Swedish

Swedish massage forms the foundation of almost any massage training program. It involves long, kneading strokes, as well as light, rhythmic, tapping strokes, on the outermost layers of muscles. Movements can be slow or fast and joint traction is also involved. Swedish is best for increasing circulation and lymph drainage and can be both relaxing and energizing. When focus is on slower movements, it can be a great stress reducer, increasing slower brain wave frenquencies associated with rest and relaxation.

The four common strokes of Swedish massage are:

• Effleurage – long, smooth strokes for increasing circulation and relaxing soft tissue
• Petrissage – squeezing, kneading and rolling of muscles
• Friction – deep circular motions to assist with fiber separation and dissolving scar tissue
• Tapotement – percussion done with alternating taps of the hands, fingers, side of the hands, palms or fists creating a very energizing feeling and is for best cellular regeneration on a deep level

Deep Tissue

Deep tissue massage is a general term for slower, deeper, more intentional strokes used to address certain painful or stiff areas in the body. Tension and spasms in the musculature are good candidates for this modality. Pressure points, trigger points, muscle adhesions (Scar tissue) can be effectively dealt with by focusing on deeper layers of the muscle and providing friction at the corresponding tendons and their attachments at the bone. Deep tissue massage can be quite therapeutic relieving chronic patterns of tension and addressing muscle injuries, such as back sprain.

Neuromuscular Therapy

Neuromuscular therapy is a type of soft tissue manipulation that treats underlying causes of chronic pain involving the muscular and nervous systems. This form of massage massage addresses trigger points (tender or knotty muscles points), circulation, nerve compression, postural misalignments, and repetitive movement problems.

Sports Massage

Massage for athletes playing a specific sport generally employs other modality techniques with a targeted purpose:

• Pre/Post Event – to aid in warming up muscles and increasing joint flexibility immediately before an event and to aid in the muscle recovery process immediately after. This has been shown to be very effective in increasing performance while decreasing injuries and recovery time
• Maintenance – Aims to assist chronic issues due to injury or repetitive motion or muscle strain

Hot Stone Massage

Warmed smooth stones (approximately 120-140 degrees F) are used as tools on the muscles or temporarily left in place on the body of muscle groups or accupressure points. Used in conjunction with other modalities, the heat from the stones is transferred deeply into muscles increasing one’s relaxation.

Rod Cain, LMT owns and operates Rod Cain Massage Therapy in Burlington, Vermont.