Swedish Massage:
is what we currently think of when we hear the word "massage."  It induces relaxation and consists of gliding, kneading or tapping strokes on lubricated skin.  Swedish massage is used for general relaxation, healing muscular injuries to improve joint mobility and range of motion.

Acupressure:
Is based on the meridian zone energy theory of traditional Chinese medicine, acupressure sees illness and disease and physical manifestations of blocked or disrupted energy flow.  Within humans, the energy flow follows certain patterns (meridians/chakras) and specific points can be stimulated to regulate the flow of energy.  In acupressure, we work on the meridians applying finger/thumb pressure to specific points and areas.  Acupressure can relieve almost any kind of physical symptom in the body, from headaches, nausea, cramping, digestion problems, coughs and aches,  to emotional distress such as depression, anxiety, nervousness. Painless when used with breathing.

Myofascial Work:
Beneath the skin and surrounding all the muscles and organs, the fascial tissue acts like saran wrap and the glue that holds all the pieces of us together and in place, so we don't fall apart.  Restrictions in this tissue can cause problems locally or refer dysfunction to other areas of the body.  Fascial work consists of slow, unlubricated work to warm and soften the fascial tissue and repair restrictions or holds in the tissue.  The skin is slightly streched in verticle or horizontal manner, creating traction to release fascial adhesions. 

Lymphatic Drainage:
LDM works well on sinus issues, allergies and other forms of congestion around the head and neck. Slow and gentle repetative moves are used all throughout the body to drain fluids; symptoms such as congestion and edema can be eased through this technique, fluids are moved into the normal patterns for drainage into the lymph system. 

Stretching:
Passive stretching is known as having assistant from therapist to help the muscles reach their end point. This is a pleasurable and useful technique.  Passive stretching can be done to any part of the body, and can be done in conjunction with general relaxation or injury recovery sessions.  Stretches to the arms, legs, hips, back and neck (without adjustments) facilitate the loosening and relaxation of muscles.

Deep Tissue: 
This type of massage concentrates on the deeper layers of muscle, tissue and fascia with a goal toward increasing function and range of motion through manipulation of these deeper structures.  While it sometimes uses deeper pressure, it is really a means to work through more superficial muscles with kneading, deep forearm or finger work or static pressure holds in order to affect the tissue beneath.  It can be intense and I generally only use it for part of a session.

Neuromuscular Therapy:
Trigger Point Theory asserts that small spots in muscles can refer pain out to other areas when pressed – and these referral areas form patterns which allows the therapist to locate and work the trigger points.  Relief of the trigger points can take place through compression, stretching, deep friction and vibration.  Because this therapy usually entails some discomfort and pain on the part of the patient, NMT is often used within a longer session, and is only used specifically for 15 minutes or less in the session.

Muscle Release Therapy:
This technique places tight muscles in a stretch and works them with kneading, knuckling or stripping through a short duration stretch.  As the muscle is stretched for 2-3 seconds, it is working with moderate to deep pressure to release the knots, tension and adhesions within.  It is especially helpful for repetitive use injuries.

Foot Reflexology:
Reflexology is based on the theory that places on the feet and hands correspond to places all over the body.  Working the corresponding parts of the feet or hands affects balance and change to that referral area.  Reflexology energy theory maintains that there are 10 zones in the hands and feet, and work on those zones can positively affect the energy flow to other areas of the body facilitating healing and balance throughout the entire body. I generally incorporate this as needed into a longer session.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: There are many, for Deep Tissue Massage, and Lymphatic Drainage. Must be cleared from a doctor.
Fever
Inflammation
Hernia
Osteoporosis
Varicose veins
Skin problems
Cancer
HIV infection
Atherosclerosis - a build-up of plaque in artery walls. Care needs to be taken so that any thrombi are not dislodged (See under 'Embolism and Thrombi'.

Arteriosclerosis - hardening of the arteries. Care is needed because there is usually some atherosclerosis and high blood pressure associated with this. No bodywork in advanced stages. Get medical clearance for your work if the client takes medication for circulatory problems.

Autoimmune diseases
The immune system produces antibodies against the body's own tissues. Don't work on acutely inflamed tissues.
a) Lupus - attacks the connective tissue mainly in the skin, kidneys, joints and heart. Contraindicated during acute flares.
b) Rheumatoid arthritis - immune system attacks the joints, and its associated muscles, tendons, ligaments and blood vessels; contraindicated during inflammatory stage. (Note: With "osteoarthritis" deep bodywork tends to be more successful).
c) Scleroderma ("hardened skin") - a buildup of collagen fibers around organs (problems with absorption when around the small intestines) and in the dermis of the skin; increasing stiffness at joints along with muscle weakness.
Contraindicated during inflammatory phase.
d) Ankylosing spondylitis - inflammation of tissues around the spine causing the connective tissues of the sacrum and spine to solidify. Don't work on areas of pain and inflammation in acute episodes.

Bipolar Disorder (manic -depressive): during manic phase, deep bodywork could be contraindicated, since it could then increase the amplitude of the extreme mood-swings.

Borderline (as psychological diagnosis, originally understood as diagnosis for clients on the border between neurosis and full psychosis): Be careful. There have been (very) few reports about deep work triggering a psychotic episode. Full psychosis is in most cases a contraindication, and of course should be performed with supervision by a psychiatrist.

Cerebral Palsy: Result of Cerebral Palsy & Rolfing¨ study: in mild and moderate cases Rolfing¨ helpful; serious cases might get worse. Most recent science info: connective tissue restrictions more important factor in CP patients than was thought before (e.g. tissue shortness in the triceps surae often limits walking ability in terms of very limited dorsiflexion mobility of the feet).

Cancer: Connective tissue can often act as a barrier to the spread of cancer by encapsulating the cancerous cells. The problem is that deep work could theoretically cause the cancerous cells to metastasize (move through circulatory or lymphatic system to other places in the body). Usually okay if the person has a clean bill of health for 5 years. Pay special attention to lumps in abdomen, or lymph nodes in groin or armpit. (Lumps in abdomen could be hard feces. Let client monitor it: if no change after 3 days, perhaps have it examined). After mastectomy: check with doctor whether massage in the area (incl. the arm) is indicated. Sometimes it is not advisable to increase the lymphatic flow in that area.

Connective tissue disease: E.g. osteomyelitis, lupus, scleroderma: no deep work.

Diabetes: Be careful about tissue condition and loss of sensation. Don't do deep work on area of recent insulin injection: could accelerate Insulin uptake.

Embolism or Thrombus: a) Venous emboli - usually land in the lungs causing pulmonary embolism. b) Arterial emboli - can lodge themselves in the coronary arteries (heart attack); the brain (stroke), the kidneys, or the legs (phlebitis). Deep bodywork is contraindicated because of the risk of dislodging a thrombus. If the client takes blood thinners as a medical precaution against clotting, ask for a medical clearance for any kind of deep tissue work affecting the circulatory system.

Epileptics: avoid hyperventilation

Headaches: Some types of headaches get worse with any kind of massage around the head/neck/shoulder area. This is quite common for migraines in the acute stage, probably due to infection and/or CNS over-stimulation. If the client has previous experience with receiving massage as a remedial treatment, they can often tell whether it is helpful or not to work on their upper body. Tension headaches (which are usually more bilateral) tend to respond more positively.

Heart conditions: OK. if not restricted from exercise (if fingernails get purple or blue, stay off)

Hemangioma: These are congenital benign tumors, made up of newly formed blood vessels. Different types, usually on the skin, yet sometimes also in brain and viscera. Specially in cases of known visceral type (e.g. hepatic hemangioma) no deep work in this area because of the severe danger of internal bleeding.

Herpes (and other potentially infectious skin conditions, including warts): Don't touch infected areas.

High blood pressure (extreme): Don't work in way that makes clients hold breath. Deep work on uncontrolled high blood pressure patients should be with medical supervision (deep bodywork often RAISES blood pressure).

Impaired elimination systems: Use caution with colostomies, Candida, kidney, and liver issues; careful. More spacing between sessions

Intervertebral disc problems: With non-acute cases, avoid shearing motions and extreme bending. Don't decompensate a stable system. With acute cases: although bodywork can help creating space for the retreat of the tissue and to resolve some of the secondary compensations, be very careful and don't work on the affected segment alone since local muscle spasms may have developed there as an important protection for the slipped disk. Releasing this muscular bracing too soon may put the client in danger.

I.U.D.: Be careful with any deep abdominal work in female clients which use an intra-uterine device for birth control. It is possible that an I.U.D may become displaced, possibly leading to complications.

Menstruation (if strong): If the client tends to have very strong menstruation symptoms with high amount of blood loss, any kind of deep tissue work or even massage in the area of pelvis, abdomen and thighs - if done around the days of the client's period - can sometimes increase circulation and therefore the severity of the menstruation. Conclusion: either give the client the option to cancel a session for that reason if the date collides with a strong period at the same time; or give only a very gentle movement awareness session which does not tend to increase circulation in the pelvic region.

Nose work, special conditions: For any intranasal work be especially careful with regular cocaine users, nasal polyps, and nose surgery including cosmetic surgery.

Pain medication: Use caution regarding reduced sensation and greater possibility of tissue or nerve damage. (Same with paresthesia)

Pregnancy: Rule of thumb: no deep work. Be aware: danger of triggering a miscarriage by strong myofascial work is greatest during first 3 months (specially through work around the pelvis, abdomen, adductors, medial legs, or feet). Later in pregnancy this gets less likely. If you work with somebody who is pregnant, you may want to have them sign a form that they are aware of the increased risks and still want to get deep work from you, etc.

Varicose veins: Don't work veins.

Whiplash: If inflamed, it might get worse.

No deep work with:

* Abscess teeth (no intraoral work)
* Aneurysm
* Bone fractures or acute soft tissue injuries: wait for full healing (6 weeks - 3 months)
* Clients on Cortisone: (wait 2-3 months)
* Feverish clients
* Hemophiliacs
* Hodgkin's disease (cancer of lymph system)
* Inflammatory conditions (includes such things as tendonitis and bursitis;
* contraindicated during acute stages;
* work peripheral to site possible when inflammation has subsided)
* Infectious conditions (with some exceptions, like HIV: get medical supervision)
* Leukemia
* Osteoporosis (usually found in post-menopausal women)
* Phlebitis: same risk as for 'embolism or thrombus'
* Recent scar tissue (including regular or plastic surgeries):
* no work on this area until scarring process is complete (usually at least 6 weeks).