MASSAGE
INFORMATION
The
main purpose of massage is to create stimulus, relieve stress,
manage pain, improve circulation and help heal injuries. Massage
is predominately performed manually, but sometimes mechanical
devices can be used.
Massage
Therapists - which are certified, licensed or both,
These massage therapists usually advertise with MT, CMT, LMT,
RMT, AMT abreviations in their description of work title.
(There are others) At times a massage therapist will have
a license number displayed as per their requirement of the
city, state or country they do massage. Some states or countries
do not require massage therapists to be licensed or certified
or some kind of education in massage therapy. These massage
therapists that have these labels should be respected as non-sexual
types of massage therapists. The massage therapist's decribed
here usually have their clients draped and lie on tables or
in a sit upright massage chair. Many massage therapists provide
a variety of styles of massage. A short list and description
of the common massage therapist practices are below.
AROMATHERAPY
is massage therapy with the addition of one or
more scented plant oils called essential oils
to address specific needs. The massage therapist
can select oils that are relaxing, energizing,
stress-reducing, balancing, etc.
Aromatherapy
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CRANIOSACRAL
THERAPY focuses on the skull and spinal column.
Therapists use very gently pressure no more than
the weight of a nickel to massage the bones, membranes
and fluids that support and bathe your skull and
spinal column. The theory is that these manipulations
will reduce tension and counteract any physical
trauma you may have experienced to your head over
the years.
Craniosacral
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DEEP
TISSUE MASSAGE targets chronic tension in muscles
that lie far below the surface of your body. You
have five layers of muscle in your back, for instance,
and while Swedish massage may help the first couple
of layers, it won't do much directly for the muscle
underneath. Deep muscle techniques usually involve
slow strokes, direct pressure or friction movements
that go across the grain of the muscles. Massage
therapists will use their fingers, thumbs or occasionally
even elbows to apply the needed pressure.
Deep
Tissue |
REFLEXOLOGY
can be sometimes called foot massage, it is more
than simple foot massage. reflexology involves
applying pressure to certain points on the foot
that correspond to organs and systems in the body.
Reflexology is very relaxing, especially for people
who stand on their feet all day or just have tired,
achy feet.
Reflexology
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ROLFING
seeks to re-educate your body about posture. When
posture is poor, it can be reflected in a number
of health problems, such as backaches, headaches
and joint pain. Rolfing seeks to realign and straighten
your body by working the myofascia, the connective
tissue that surrounds your muscles and helps hold
your body together.
Rolfing
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SHIATSU
is a form of Japanese bodywork that uses localized
finger pressure in a rhythmic sequence on acupuncture
meridians. Each point is held for for two to eight
seconds to improve the flow of energy and help
the body regain balance. It is relaxing yet the
pressure is firm, and there is usually no soreness
afterwards.
Shiatsu
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SPORTS
MASSAGE is specifically designed for people who
are involved in physical activity. But you don't
have to be a professional athlete to have one-it's
also used by people who are active and work out
often. The focus isn't on relaxation but on preventing
and treating injury and enhancing athletic performance.
Sports
Massage |
HOT
STONE MASSAGE has heated, smooth stones that are
placed on certain points on the body to warm and
loosen tight muscles and balance energy centers
in the body. The massage therapist may also hold
stones and apply gentle pressure with them. The
warmth is comforting. Hot stone massage is good
for people who have muscle tension but prefer
lighter massage.
Hot
Stone Massage |
SWEDISH
MASSAGE uses soothing, tapping and kneading strokes
to work the entire body, relieving muscle tension
and loosening sore joints. Swedish massage therapists
use five basic strokes, which anyone can learn
and use on themselves and others. They are effleurage
(stroking); petrissage (muscles are lightly grabbed
and lifted); friction (thumbs and fingertips work
in deep circles into the thickest part of muscles;
tapotement (chopping, beating, and tapping strokes);
and vibration (fingers are pressed or flattened
firmly on a muscle, then the area is shaken rapidly
for a few seconds).
Swedish
Massage |
THAI
MASSAGE aligns the energies of the body using
gentle pressure on specific points. Thai massage
also includes compressions and stretches. You
don't just lie there--the therapist moves and
stretches you into a sequence of postures. It's
like yoga without doing any work. Thai massage
is more energizing than other forms of massage.
It is also reduces stress and improves flexibility
and range of motion.
Thai
Massage |
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Alternative
Bodyworkers - who can have a broad array of experience
and education in most cases. The massage provider or bodyworker
usually provide services that are not regulated by any certification
or license. The bodyworker can have their clients draped or
undraped and lie on tables, futons, beds, mats and or the
floor depending on the style of bodyworker. Many alternative
bodyworkers provide a variety of styles of modalities. Education
and experience is generally the success of these services.
Often times the provider of such services will promote certified
or license terms of massage alligned with other practices
suchas holistic and energy therapies. It could possibly include
tantric massage, sensual massage and erotic bodywork.
The
term energy therapy can describe certain techniques
that use energy as their main focus. Some types
of so called energy healing techniques include:
Reiki
Polarity Therapy
Barbara Brennan's Healing Science
Shiatsu
Energy
Therapy |
Erotic
Massage - is intended to sexually arouse the subject
by using sensual stimulus. Erotic massage focuses
on the genital area and other intimate parts of
the body which are normally not touched in therapeutic
massage therapy. Unlike other types of massages,
the person’s body is usually naked and undraped.
It may be used to increase an individual’s
ability to respond to sensual stimulation or to
heighten the sensitivity in future sexual encounters.
Erotic massage may also be used to help men address
issues such as premature ejaculation and relaxing
the muscles around the pelvis to prolong arousal
and increase pleasure.
Erotic
Massage |
Massage
in itself is a holistic therapy. It has effect
on both body and mind.
Massage
increases the circulation of blood and flow of
lymph. The direct mechanical effect of rhythmically
applied manual pressure and movement used in massage
can dramatically increase the rate of blood flow.
Also, the stimulation of nerve receptors causes
the blood vessels (by reflex action) to dilate,
which also facilitates blood flow. This has a
profound effect on one's health.
Holistic
Massage |
Sensual
Massage may have some restrictions or boundaries
that a erotic massage doesn't. It depends on the
masseur or masseuse. In some cases both the client
and therapist are naked and there is usually some
sexual arousal. Asking your provider the rules
or boundaries is best. Sensual massage although
presenting an ethical dilemma for many is a helpful
tool to help grow relationships and is a part
of the holistic equation of treating the whole
person. Consequently there has been a rise in
acceptance and practice of sensual and tantric
massage around the world.
Sensual
Massage |
Tantric
massage focuses on heightening and prolonging
the special awareness and rapport that exists
between lovers during lovemaking. This view holds
that the greatest source of energy in the universe
is sexual, and places high value on ritualized
intercourse. Sexual orgasm is seen as a cosmic
and divine experience.
Tantric
philosophy also teaches that everything is to
be experienced playfully, yet with awareness and
a sense of sacredness in every gesture, every
sensory perception, and every action. The path
of Tantra is a spiritual one, which includes and
appreciates the experience of our sexuality and
sensuality as a conscious meditation, as a flowing
together of the physical, erotic and cosmic energies.
Tantric
Massage |
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Find
a masseur of your choice by searching through our massage
directory.
Some
Other Helpful Information
A
masseur is a man who works in the massage industry catering
to man clients. A gay masseur does not necesarily cater to
men clients only.
A
masseur is not a male prostitute but a professional male massage
therapist.
Some
masseurs are sex workers by trade of tantra, sensual massage
and erotic massage. Some signifying attributes connected to
the industry is "gay massage" "male massage"
and "m4m massage". The terms "gay" does
not signify the masseur is necesarily gay. He can be straight,
gay and bisexual. The male clients can be the same.
Through
the years the term "Gay Massage" attached itself to
the concept of male to male bodywork or massage done by men
who cater men clients. The stigma of sex is connected to these
terms often. The stigma is false. Professional non-sexual male
massage therapists are connected to this group. The range is
diverse and ever changing with social view point of sexuality.
Gay Massage
In a alternative setting is a massage done when sexual orientation
is to persons of the same sex.
Male
Massage
A massage done by a man and the massage is being done to another
man.
M4M
Massage
Stigma related to sexual and non-sexual massage between two
men.
Masseur
French meaning of a man who gives massages professionally.
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