claim that the benefits of regular ayurvedic massage include pain relief, reduction of fatigue, improved immune system and improved longevity. burmese massage traditional burmese foot massage at sapel in yangon known in myanmar as yoe yar nhake nal chin, meaning "traditional massage", burmese massage has its ancient origins from thai, chinese and indian medicine. currently, burmese massage also includes the use of local natural ingredients such as thanaka which helps to promote smooth skin and prevents sunburn. burmese massage is a full body massage technique that starts from head to toes, drawing on acupuncture, reflexology and kneading. signature massage strokes include acupressure using the elbows, quick gentle knocking of acupressure points, and slow kneading of tight muscles. the massage aims to improve blood circulation and quality of sleep, while at the same time help to promote better skin quality. biomechanical stimulation (bms) massage biomechanical stimulation (bms) is a term generally used for localised biomechanical oscillation methods, whereby local muscle groups are stimulated directly or via the associated tendons by means of special hand held mechanical vibration devices. biomechanical oscillation therapy and training is offered in a variety of areas such as competitive sports, fitness, rehabilitation, medicine, prevention, beauty and used to improve performance of the muscles and to improve coordination and balance. it is often used in myofascial trigger point therapy to invoke reciprocal inhibition within the musculoskeletal system. beneficial effects from this type of stimulation have been found to exist. biodynamic massage biodynamic massage was created by gerda boyesen as part of biodynamic psychotherapy. it uses a combination of hands-on work and "energy work" and also uses a stethoscope to hear the peristalsis. craniosacral therapy main article: craniosacral therapy craniosacral therapy (cst) is a pseudoscience that aims to improve fluid movement and cranial bone motion by applying light touch to the skull, face, spine, and pelvis. erotic massage a type of massage that is done in an erotic way via the use of massage techniques by a person on another person's erogenous zones to achieve or enhance their sexual excitation or arousal and to achieve orgasm. it was also once used for medical purposes as well as for the treatment of "female hysteria" and "womb disease". nuru massage is a japanese form of erotic massage. lomilomi and indigenous massage of oceania lomilomi is the traditional massage of hawaii. as an indigenous practice, it varies by island and by family. the word lomilomi also is used for massage in samoa and east futuna. in samoa, it is also known as lolomi and milimili. in east futuna, it is also called milimili, fakasolosolo, amoamo, lusilusi, kinikini, fai’ua. the māori call it romiromi and mirimiri. in tonga massage is fotofota, tolotolo, and amoamo. in tahiti it is rumirumi. on nanumea in tuvalu, massage is known as popo, pressure application is kukumi, and heat application is tutu. massage has also been documented in tikopia in the solomon islands, in rarotonga, in pukapuka and in western samoa. lymphatic drainage manual lymphatic drainage is a technique used to gently work and stimulate the lymphatic system, to assist in reduction of localized swelling. the lymphatic system is a network of slow moving vessels in the body that carries cellular waste toward the liver, to be filtered and removed. lymph also carries lymphocytes and other immune system agents. manual lymphatic drainage claims to improve waste removal and immune function. medical massage main article: medical massage medical massage is a controversial term in the massage profession. many use it to describe a specific technique. others use it to describe a general category of massage and many methods such as deep tissue massage, myofascial release and trigger-point therapy, as well as osteopathic techniques, cranial-sacral techniques and many more can be used to work with various medical conditions. massage used in the medical field includes decongestive therapy used for lymphedema which can be used in conjunction with the treatment of breast cancer. light massage is also used in pain management and palliative care. carotid sinus massage is used to diagnose carotid sinus syncope and is sometimes useful for differentiating supraventricular tachycardia (svt) from ventricular tachycardia. it, like the valsalva maneuver, is a therapy for svt. however, it is less effective than management of svt with medications. a 2004 systematic review found single applications of massage therapy "reduced state anxiety, blood pressure, and heart rate but not negative mood, immediate assessment of pain, and cortisol level," while "multiple applications reduced delayed assessment of pain," and found improvements in anxiety and depression similar to effects of psychotherapy. a subsequent systematic review published in 2008 found that there is little evidence supporting the use of massage therapy for depression in high quality studies from randomized controlled trials. myofascial release myofascial release refers to the manual massage technique that claims to release adhered fascia 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, cross fiber friction or by skin rolling. reflexology reflexology, also known as "zone therapy", is an alternative medicine involving application of pressure to the feet and hands with specific thumb, finger, and hand techniques without the use of oil or lotion. it is based on a pseudoscientific system of zones and reflex areas that purportedly reflect an image of the body on the feet and hands, with the premise that such work effects a physical change to the body. shiatsu shiatsu (指圧) (shi meaning finger and atsu meaning pressure) is a type of alternative medicine consisting of the fingers and palm pressure, stretches, and other massage techniques. there is no convincing data available to suggest that shiatsu is an effective treatment for any medical condition. sports massage sports massage is the use of specific massage therapy techniques in an athletic context to improve recovery time, enhance performance and reduce the risk of injury. this is accomplished using techniques that stimulate the flow of blood and lymph to and from muscles. sports massage is often delivered before or after physical activity depending on the subject's needs, preferences and goals. structural integration main article: structural integration structural integration's aim is to unwind the strain patterns in the body's myofascial system, restoring it to its natural balance, alignment, length and ease. this is accomplished by hands-on manipulation, coupled with movement re-education. there are about 15 schools of structural integration as recognized by the international association of structural integration, including the dr. ida rolf institute (with the brand rolfing), hellerwork, guild for structural integration, aston patterning, soma, and kinesis myofascial integration. swedish massage estonian massage therapy school teaching the swedish classical massage technique. the most widely recognized and commonly used category of massage is swedish massage. the swedish massage techniques vary from light to vigorous. swedish massage uses five styles of strokes. the five basic strokes are effleurage (sliding or gliding), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (rhythmic tapping), friction (cross fiber or with the fibers) and vibration/shaking. the development of swedish massage is often inaccurately credited to per henrik ling, though the dutch practitioner johann georg mezger applied the french terms to name the basic strokes. the term "swedish massage" is actually only recognized in english- and dutch-speaking countries, and in hungary. elsewhere the style is referred to as "classic massage". clinical studies have found that swedish massage can reduce chronic pain, fatigue, joint stiffness and improve function in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. thai massage thai massage known in thailand as nuat phaen boran, meaning "ancient/traditional massage", traditional thai massage is generally based on a combination of indian and chinese traditions of medicine. thai massage combines both physical and energetic aspects. it is a deep, full-body massage progressing from the feet up, and focusing on sen or energy lines throughout the body, with the aim of clearing blockages in these lines, and thus stimulating the flow of blood and lymph throughout the body. it draws on yoga, acupressure and reflexology. thai massage is a popular massage therapy that is used for the management of conditions such as musculoskeletal pain and fatigue. thai massage involves a number of stretching movements that improve body flexibility, joint movement and also improve blood circulation throughout the body. in one study scientists found that thai massage showed comparable efficacy as the painkiller ibuprofen in the reduction of joint pain caused by osteoarthritis (oa) of the knee. traditional chinese massage main article: traditional chinese medicine massage of chinese medicine is known as an mo (按摩, pressing and rubbing) or qigong massage and is the foundation of japan's anma. categories include pu tong an mo (general massage), tui na an mo (pushing and grasping massage), dian xue an mo (cavity pressing massage), and qi an mo (energy massage). tui na (推拿) focuses on pushing, stretching, and kneading muscles, and zhi ya (指壓) focuses on pinching and pressing at acupressure points. technique such as friction and vibration are used as well. 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 technique is different from reflexology acupressure and pressure point massage. tui na tui na is a chinese manual therapy technique that includes many different types of strokes, aimed to improve the flow of chi through the meridians. turkish bath massage le massage: scène au hammam by edouard debat-ponsan (1883). an orientalist painting depicting a massage at a hammam. in traditional turkish baths, massage involves not just vigorous muscle kneading, but also joint cracking, "not so much a tender working of the flesh as a pummelling, a cracking of joints, a twisting of limbs..." an 18th-century traveler reported: ...one of the attendants begins to press and handle the tops of the shoulders, the muscles of the arm, and successively the whole body; first gently, then by degrees increasing the pressure, till he comes to handle pretty roughly, but without giving pain. this is repeated at short intervals till the skin is perfectly softened. the attendant then taking hold of the bather's fingers, with a dexterous jerk makes each joint crack successively; after which, laying him flat on his back, and bringing the arms across the breast, the shoulder joints are made to crack in like manner.— alexander russell, the natural history of aleppo (1756) watsu watsu, developed by harold dull at harbin hot springs, california, is a type of aquatic bodywork performed in near-body-temperature water, and characterized by continuous support by the practitioner and gentle movement, including rocking, stretching of limbs, and massage. the technique combines hydrotherapy floating and immersion with shiatsu and other massage techniques. watsu is used as a form of aquatic therapy for deep relaxation and other therapeutic intent. related forms include waterdance, healing dance, and jahara technique. facilities, equipment, and supplies massage table prepared for a massage session. massage tables and chairs specialized massage tables and chairs are used to position recipients during massages. a typical commercial massage table has an easily cleaned, heavily padded surface, and horseshoe-shaped head support that allows the client to breathe easily while lying face down and can be stationary or portable, while home versions are often lighter weight or designed to fold away easily. an orthopedic pillow or bolster can be used to correct body positioning. ergonomic chairs serve a similar function as a massage table. chairs may be either stationary or portable models. massage chairs are easier to transport than massage tables, and recipients do not need to disrobe to receive a chair massage. due to these two factors, chair massage is often performed in settings such as corporate offices, outdoor festivals, shopping malls, and other public locations. warm-water therapy pools temperature-controlled warm-water therapy pools are used to perform aquatic bodywork. for example, watsu requires a warm-water therapy pool that is approximately chest-deep (depending on