Treatment Dictionary & FAQ's

This page is under construction. Please keep checking back for more information.

 

FAQ’s

We’ve learned that there are a certain few questions that people are sometimes embarrassed to ask and/or they forget to ask until the therapist has left the room. So we’ve posted this list to help clarify things for you. Be advised that the answers to these questions will vary from therapist to therapist - these answers are specific to treatments received at Transformations Wellness.

Q: Does Massage hurt?
A: The answer to the question is: it depends. Mostly, it depends on the type of Massage you are receiving (see treatment dictionary below). Generally speaking, some Massage techniques may be mildly uncomfortable, but should never be very painful (with certain exceptions). Some Massage techniques are intended to be soothing and relaxing, while some are intended to be more therapeutic. "Therapeutic" does NOT directly translate to "pain", as there are many therapeutic techniques that are completely painless. Your level of comfort also depends a great deal on your tolerance and on the individual style of your therapist. If you are concerned about your comfort level, the best thing to do is communicate these concerns to your therapist and come to a mutually agreeable treatment arrangement.

Q: How much [clothing] do I take off?
A: This depends on your comfort level and on the Massage technique you would like to receive. For most Massage, the simplest answer is: if you’re comfortable being nude under the sheet, please remove ALL of your clothing. (Be assured that your modesty will be fully respected, and private body parts will remain covered by the sheet at all times!) However, the rest of the answer is this: your comfort is of utmost importance, and we would never ask you to do anything that made you feel uncomfortable.

Be advised that clothing are considered to be boundaries; therefore, clothing are obstacles which may prevent your therapist from performing certain techniques. If you are seeking relief from low back or hip pain or sciatica, and you leave your briefs on, you may not experience the same results that you would if you removed them. Also, there are certain massage treatments, such as the Stones of Fire Hot Stone Massage, Sacred Lomi Hawaiian Temple Bodywork and the Abhyanga Hot Oil Massage which utilize full-body/head-to-toe strokes that are impossible if you are wearing underwear – even a thong. Likewise, there are other Massage techniques, such as Traditional Thai Yoga Bodywork, Reflexology and Shiatsu, which require no removal of clothing, as long as the clothing is reasonably loose and comfortable.

Q: Do I need to remove my jewelry?
A: Rings and belly-button rings are usually not a problem. Necklaces, watches, bracelets and toe rings are obstacles that will have an effect on your massage. General rule of thumb: if your jewelry is easy to remove, please remove it.

Q: Should I put my hair up?
A: If you want your scalp massaged – no. If you are more comfortable with your hair up, or if you want to reduce the amount of massage lubricant that gets in your hair – yes.

Q: Can I get a Happy Ending with my massage?
A: Erotic massage services are not offered at Transformations Wellness – please don’t even ask! Check the Ft. Collins yellow page listings under “Escort Services”.

 

Treatment Dictionary

“What’s the difference?”, you may be asking.

Most lay-persons who ask for a “massage” don’t really know what it is that they’re asking for. The fact is that there are countless forms of Massage and the word “massage” is as vague as the word “touch”.

If you enter a Massage Establishment and simply ask for a “massage”, the chances are good that you will either be questioned for more details about what you want, or you will receive a basic Swedish-style massage, which is the most common technique practiced in the U.S.

At Transformations Wellness, we want to make sure that you are getting exactly what you want, and that you understand what you are asking for. So we are providing this “dictionary” to help you learn the language of the trade.

"*" denotes techniques which are offered at Transformations Wellness.

Happy learning!

 

* Abhyanga - An Ayurvedic Massage treatment using Hot Oils and unique massage strokes specific to Ayurvedic principals. Abhyanga Hot Oil Massage is recommended for increasing flexibility of muscles and joints, rejuvenating skin, and keeping impurities from accumulating in the body by stimulating various tissues.

* Active Isolated Stretching (AKA A.I.S.)

* Active Release

* Acupressure - A traditional Chinese medicine technique derived from acupuncture. In acupressure, physical pressure is applied to acupuncture points by the hand, elbow, or with various devices.

Anma - A traditional Japanese massage involving kneading and deep tissue work.

Ashiatsu - A variation of the Shiatsu Massage technique where the therapist applies pressure to the body using feet, rather than fingers and hands.

Ayurveda - A system of wholistic medicine from India that aims to bring the individual into harmony with nature. It provides guidance regarding food and lifestyle, so that healthy people can stay healthy and people with health challenges can improve their health.

Balinese Massage - A gentle Massage which makes the patient feel relaxed and calm throughout. The techniques include skin rolling, kneading, stroking, etc. The Massage Therapist applies aromatheraphy oil throughout the massage. A patient's blood, oxygen and energy flow is said to increase as a result of the treatment. Balinese hot stones are an option.

* Bamboosage - A specialized Massage which utilizes a set of bamboo and rattan tools that are warmed and used to massage the body. Bamboo tools can be used for both Swedish and Deep Tissue Massage styles.

Barefoot Deep Tissue (AKA Barefoot Compressive Deep Tissue, or Barefoot Sports Massage) - A blend of Eastern barefoot techniques, such as Barefoot Shiatsu Massage, coupled with Western manual medicine, encompassing Deep Tissue, Myofascial Release, Trigger Point Therapy, transverse friction, compression, tension, shear, PNF, stretching, as well as parasympathetic response, on clothed clients using no oil. This modality typically uses the heel, sesamoid, arch and/or whole plantar surface of foot, and offers large compression, tension and shear forces with less pressure than elbow or thumb, and is ideal for large muscles, such as in thigh, or for long-duration upper trapezius compressions. Cousins of this modality include Ashiatsu, Keralite, Yumeiho, Barefoot Lomi Lomi, Fijian Barefoot, Chavutti Thirummal.

* Body Insight - A branded (copyrighted) form of Postural Integration.

Bowen Massage - Technique involves a rolling movement over fascia, muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints. It is said not to involve deep or prolonged contact with muscle tissues as in most kinds of massage, but claims to relieve muscle tensions and strains and to restore normal lymphatic flow. It is based on practices developed by Australian Tom Bowen.

Breema Bodywork - Performed on the floor with the recipient fully clothed. It consists of rhythmical and gentle leans and stretches.

Champissage - A massage technique focusing on the head, neck and face that is believed to balance the chakras.

Chavutti Thirummal

Craniosacral Therapy - Pioneered in the 1970's by Dr. John E. Upledger, Craniosacral therapy involves gently guiding and releasing tensions through very mild pressure on the different cranial bones near the sutures of the skull, where one bone lies next to another. Using a light touch generally no greater than the weight of a nickel, the practitioner uses this therapy to improve the functioning of the central nervous system, eliminate the negative effects of stress, strengthen resistance to disease and enhance overall health. Craniosacral Therapy is reported effective in treating headaches, chronic ear infection, deafness, sinusitis, facial pain, lower back pain, and more.

* Cupping Therapy

* Deep Tissue Massage – The phrase “Deep Tissue Massage” is probably the most widely misunderstood in Massage communications. Dispite common usage, “Deep Tissue Massage” does NOT refer to a full-body, firm-pressure, Swedish-style Massage. Rather, it is a collection of specialized, problem-specific techniques intended to resolve a specific concern in a relatively small area of the body (such as the shoulders or low back). Common techniques used in Deep Tissue Massage include Active Release, Myofacial Release, Rolfing, Trigger Point Therapy, Acupressure, Muscle Stripping, etc.

Esalen Massage - Developed by Charlotte Selver. Works with gentle rocking of the body, passive joint exercises and deep structural work on the muscles and joints, together with an energetic balancing of the body.

Fijian

Happy Ending Massage – this refers to any Massage that ends in a sexual release. Happy Ending Massage is illegal in most states, including Wyoming, and is not offered at Transformations Wellness. Please don’t even ask!

Hilot - A traditional healing technique from the Philippines that also includes massage techniques. The massage techniques relax stressed muscles. Hilot also includes joint manipulations to help relax stressed muscles. Hilot encompasses a wide variety of techniques beyond the treatment of stressed muscles. Hilot is used to reset dislocated and sprained joints, diagnose and treat musculoligamentous and musculoskeletal ailments, and even to aid in giving birth and to induce abortion.

Hoffman Massage - A system of intuitive massage and bodywork developed by Bronson Bertschinger. The main idea behind the Hoffman system of massage and bodywork is based on the facts that humans are very complex and consist of material, emotional, subtle and spiritual energy. We are too complex to fit into a routine style of treatment that many massage schools and styles teach. Hoffman massage uses techniques that are aimed to affect and balance many systems of the body in the treatment. Techniques very from deep touch to very subtle energetic healing.

* Hot Stone Massage - see Stone Massage

Kinesis Myofascial Integration - A branded (copyrighted) form of Structural Integration.

Keralite

Lomi Lomi - Refers to any variety of Hawaiian Massage. Various techniques exist including Auntie Margaret's technique, Sacred Lomi and Kahuna, among others.

* Lymphatic Drainage Massage - A light-touch massage designed to stimulate the lymph system and lymph flow.

* Medical Massage - A variety of Massage techniques with the specific intention of improving health, correcting posture and preventing disease. Medical Massage, when successful, can reduce or eliminate the need for surgery and/or prescription drugs.

* Massage – A scientific method of manipulating the soft tissues of the body to produce a specific effect. It’s objective is the restoration of function, release of tension and the re-establishment of the contours where this is desirable.

* Massage Cupping

Muscle Stripping

* Myofacial Release - Refers to the manual massage technique for stretching the fascia and releasing bonds between fascia, integument, and muscles with the goal of eliminating pain, increasing range of motion and equilibrioception. Myofascial release usually involves applying shear compression or tension in various directions, or by skin rolling.

Polarity Therapy - Founded by Dr. Randolph Stone in the mid 1920's, Polarity is based on the belief that positive and negative poles exist in every cell. The body is gently manipulated to balance the positive and negative energies. Emphasizing "energy flow" in the body, emotional tension and/or pain is released when the flow of energy is restored. In addition to physical manipulation, blockages and toxins are eliminated by following a cleansing and building diet and simple exercises. Treatments are suggested in a series of four.

* Postural Integration (PI) - A process-oriented bodywork combining deep tissue massage with breathwork, body movement and awareness as well as emotional expression.

Raynor Massage - Usually a very deep tissue form of massage with an emphasis on deep abdominal massage and "emotional releases". The goal of Raynor Massage is to find any tension in the muscles and any blockage in the flow of chi (energy) and get rid of it.

* Reflexology - Based on the premise that there are reflexes in the hands, feet and ears that relate to every organ, gland, and system of the body. The therapist applies pressure to these points with the intention of assessing and treating the entire body through the hands, feet and/or ears.

* Reiki - an ancient form of energy work rediscovered by Dr. Usui in the Tibetan Sutras. Reiki energy enters the healer through the top of the head (or crown chakra) and exits through the hands. The amount of energy emanating from the hands increases during treatment. Reiki not only can affect change in the chemical structure of the body, it also helps create balance on the mental level. Reiki is not a belief system, therefore no mental preparation or direction is needed to receive a treatment, only a desire to receive and accept the energy.

Rolfing - A branded (copyrighted) form of Structural Integration.

Russian Massage - Russian Massage has three phases. The first phase is gentle, slow and mild. The second phase is hard, deep and fast. The third phase is similar to the first phase which is slow and gentle. The massage therapist applies honey.

* Sacred Lomi (AKA Hawaiian Temple Bodywork)

Shiatsu - An eastern (oriental) born therapy that is designed to rebalance your physical being by rebalancing your energy field ("shi" meaning finger and "atsu" meaning pressure.) Shiatsu uses pressure applied with thumbs, fingers and palms to specific pressure points of the body. It also uses techniques such as rolling, brushing, vibrating and grasping. Ashiatsu is a variation of Shiatsu using feet instead of fingers.

Shirodira

* Stone Massage - A form of bodywork that involves the application of heated or cooled stones (thermotherapy) to the body during massage. The therapist holds these stones in the hands while using them to apply Massage strokes to the client's body, as the body absorbs the healing temperatures and the client enjoys all other benefits of Massage simultaneously.

Structural Integration - The aim is to unwind the strain patterns residing in your body's myofascial system, restoring it to its natural balance, alignment, length, and ease. This is accomplished by deep, slow, fascial and myofascial manipulation, coupled with movement re-education. Various brands of Structural Integration are Kinesis Myofascial Integration and rolfing.

* Swedish Massage – This is the most commonly used Massage technique practiced in the U.S. Most other Massage techniques are some variation of Swedish. Swedish Massage strokes can be very light to very firm. Swedish Massage can be defined simply as “any Massage which utilizes long, flowing strokes across the body.”

Swedish massage uses five styles of long, flowing strokes to massage. The five basic strokes are effleurage (sliding or gliding), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (rhythmic tapping), friction (cross fiber) and vibration/shaking. Swedish massage has shown to be helpful in reducing pain, joint stiffness, and improving function in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee over a period of eight weeks. It has also been shown to be helpful in individuals with poor circulation. The development of Swedish massage is credited to Per Henrik Ling, though the Dutch practitioner Johan Georg Mezger adopted the French names to denote the basic strokes. The term "Swedish" massage is not really known in the country of Sweden, where it is called "classic massage".

* Thai Massage (AKA Thai Yoga Bodywork) - This massage originated in India over 2500 years ago. The theoretical basis for this style of bodywork is the existence of the "energy body" which includes 72,00 "sen" or energy lines through which life force flows. Through compressions, pressure on specific points and stretches to release blockages, a free flow of energy is restored. Traditional Thai Massage is performed on a futon over clothing. No oil or lotion is used. It is a blend of massage, acupressure, energy work, and gentle yoga stretches. Benefits from a session may include: releasing tight joints, stretching muscles, increasing range of motion, and reducing stress. Variations of Thai Yoga Bodywork may also be performed on a massage table.

Traditional Chinese Massage - Two types of traditional Chinese massage exist - Tui na, which focuses on pushing, stretching and kneading the muscle and Zhi Ya, which focuses on pinching and pressing at acupressure points. Both are based on principles from Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Trager Approach - A mind-body approach to movement education. It is a system of gentle, rhythmic movement and touch aimed at facilitating deep relaxation, increased physical mobility, and promoting the body's optimal performance. There are several aspects of the approach: one in which the client passively receives the movement work on a padded table from a Trager practitioner; and another aspect, in which the client is taught to actively explore comfortable, free movement for themselves, is called Mentastics. Underlying and complementary to the basic aim of psychophysical integration in the Trager Approach, is form of neuromuscular re-education called Reflex Response. This aspect of Dr.Trager’s work actively involves the client in awakening the connection between mind and body.

* Trigger Point Therapy - Sometimes confused with pressure point massage, this involves deactivating trigger points that may cause local pain or refer pain and other sensations, such as headaches, in other parts of the body. Manual pressure, vibration, injection, or other treatment is applied to these points to relieve myofascial pain. Trigger points were first discovered and mapped by Janet G. Travell (president Kennedy's physician) and David Simons. Trigger points have been photomicrographed and measured electrically. and in 2007 a paper was presented showing images of Trigger Points using MRI. These points relate to dysfunction in the myoneural junction, also called neuromuscular junction (NMJ), in muscle, and therefore this modality is different from reflexology, acupressure and pressure point massage.

Visceral Manipulation - One form is Mayan abdominal massage which is practiced in many countries in Latin America. This type of massage was developed by Elijio Panti of Belize and brought to the United States by Rosita Arvigo. Even though Panti was a respected and well known user of Mayan massage, he did not develop this modality. "Mayan Massage" techniques have been used since before the Spanish conquest and is still practiced today by many Sobadores or Hueseros.

Watsu - Watsu is the combination of hydrotherapy and shiatsu developed by Harold Dull. The work is done in skin temperature water with both the therapist and practitioner in the water, usually a pool which is between 3.5 ft to 4 ft (100–120 cm) deep. The work entails much movement in the water and practitioners believe that it incorporates the activation of the energy lines derived from shiatsu.

Yumeiho