Most massages stimulate the movement of lymph as a matter of course, but Lymphatic Massage provides external pressure specifically to promote this flow. Many practice the Vodder Technique developed in France in the 1930s. It is very light, pulsing or pumping massage which has a lulling, relaxing effect on the autonomic nervous system. It is effective in the treatment of Fibromyalgia, sinusitis, burns, acne, scars, arthritis, emphysema and migraines, as well as the more common usage for oedema, sprains and bruises. It is especially effective when combined with Fascial Kinetics.

Ida Rolf developed a system of; structural integration; involving the manipulation of the myofascial system in order to restore flexibility, movement and health. Generally conducted over ten sessions, the client receives deep manual pressure and stretch to free the fascia of the body. There are only a few Rolfing therapists in New Zealand.

Neuromuscular Therapy is based on balancing the nervous system with the muscular system and searches for the underlying causes of long standing pain. The treatment begins with a thorough case history generally followed by a postural analysis, muscle length testing and tissue palpation. The treatments aim to release muscle spasm and eliminate trigger points, which cause referred pain (see below). This can bring back flexibility and improve the strength of muscles. It is beneficial for the treatment of many painful dysfunctions including headache, OOS, chronic back, jaw and neck pain.

Also known as Remedial or Deep Tissue massage, therapeutic massage is used to address specific soft tissue injuries and dysfunctions by manipulation of the soft tissues of the body. Generally techniques are applied deeper into the soft tissues (muscle, tendons and ligaments) in order to have a therapeutic effect on the body, and to address specific chronic muscular pain and postural dysfunction.
Therapeutic massage is applied to injury rehabilitation and may reduce inflammation related pain caused by arthritis, tendonitis and many other muscular conditions. The massage techniques may include deep longitudinal strokes (deep effleurage), kneading (petrissage), friction, vibration and percussion (tapotement), myofascial release, trigger point therapy, to name but a few. Generally practitioners will have a diploma in therapeutic massage.

Based on the extensive works of Dr Janet Travell and Dr David Simons, trigger point therapy involves a systematic de-activation of trigger points which are tight bands in the muscles, tendons or ligaments which refer pain to other areas. The treatment may be followed by stretches with ice, followed by heat and then movement. Trigger point work is often a part of Neuromuscular Therapy and is beneficial wherever chronic, aching pain is felt.

Sports massage involves the application of massage to meet the performance needs of the athlete or physically active person. A thorough knowledge is required of the movements, exercises, injuries and training protocols involved in team and individual sports. It may include pre-event, inter-event, post-event and maintenance massage and may employ a variety of massage techniques. Many therapists specialise in this field and are encouraged to have a sports massage diploma to work with elite sports people.

MFR is a useful method of treating neck and back pain, headaches, fibromyalgia and other chronic pain, by working on the connective tissue (fascia), which lies under the skin and surrounds all our muscles, organs and bones. Gentle pressure and stretch is applied to the skin over areas of tension and restriction, until a release is felt.

The concept that the total body is reflected in the ear, eye, palm of the hand and bottom of the feet is founded in Chinese medicine. William Fitzgerald brought attention to Chinese foot massage in the USA in 1913 and called it ”Zone therapy”. The technique uses compression, generally using the thumbs, in order to identify and treat signs associated with the body part reflected on the feet.
Manipulating reflex points on the hands and feet may help improve circulation, ease pain and increase relaxation.

This massage utilises essential oils extracted from herbs, flowers, resin, woods and roots. For thousands of years the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans used essential oil massage to aid relaxation, improve circulation and help the healing of injuries. Frenchman Rene Maurice Gattefosse revived the art and coined the name aromatherapy in a book published in 1928. Each freshly prepared oil mixture is individually prepared and has its own characteristics and benefits.

This is a fully clothed massage performed on a person while they are seated in a massage chair or using a desk attachment. The beauty of this technique is that it can be performed in a corporate or business setting. The benefits include relieving work related stress, and easing neck pain, shoulder and back tension. A variety of techniques are used, including pressure points, stretches, ranges of joint movement, and percussion methods borrowed from Japanese and Swedish techniques.

Pregnancy is a time to be pampered. A therapist trained to perform pregnancy massage understands the changes occurring in the mother’s body during pregnancy and adapts the massage to suit. Pregnancy massage can promote increased circulation, thereby bringing fresh nutrients and removing wastes. You may experience greater energy, less fatigue and reduced swelling as a result. The client may have a special body support system to lie face down on, or may prefer a side-lying position especially in the third trimester. Pre-labour massage helps sedate the nervous system and release endorphins, which are natural pain killers, and so lead to a state of deep relaxation.

(Massage for the elderly and terminally ill)
Massage of the elderly can help alleviate the isolation and loneliness many older people feel. It can revitalise a bond with others and re-affirm self-esteem. The gentle massage and range of motion techniques can increase circulation, mobilise the joints and improve skin condition. It may also lower blood pressure, reduce oedema and relieve tension headaches.

Baby massage can be a continuation of pregnancy massage. The parents’ loving touch can enhance the foundation of trust and caring, and can help establish parent-child bonding. Studies indicate that infant massage may promote a faster release from birth trauma, increase infant growth, reduce irritability, deepen sleep and ease digestive difficulties including colic. It can be especially effective with premature babies to promote weight gain. Infant massage can be taught to parents by qualified instructors.

Named after Joseph Heller, this system of treatments combines realignment of the fascia with movement education and structural integration. Myofascial techniques are often employed.

Shiatsu (Japanese for ‘finger pressure’) has its origins in eastern philosophy. It treats the whole person and not just the symptoms, and utilises the energy meridian systems in a manner similar to acupuncture. The client usually lies clothed on a mat on the floor while the practitioner applies compression with thumbs, fingers, palms, elbows and knees to specific pressure points. Stretching is also utilised, with the goal of assisting the flow of energy in the body.

Per Hendrick Ling (1776 – 1839) of Sweden developed a method of massage and medical gymnastics which became universally known through his published theories of massage and movement and through foreign students studying at the Central Institute of Stockholm from 1813. Today we refer to most “standard” massage as Swedish massage or sometimes as “relaxation massage” and the stroke names of “effleurage, petrissage, friction and tapotement” have become associated with the basic techniques as first illustrated by Ling.