Swedish massage is the most commonly used type of massage. It was developed by a Swedish physiologist, Henri Peter Ling in 1812. It uses five main movements:

• long, gliding strokes
• kneading of individual muscles
• friction
• hacking or tapping
• vibration

The therapist generally uses massage oils. One part of the body is uncovered, massaged, and then covered up before moving on to another part of the body.

Physical Benefits of Therapeutic Massage:

• Reduces pain & swelliing
• Relieves stress and aids relaxation
• Relieves muscle tension and stiffness
• Alleviates discomfort and pain
• Increase healing of strained muscles and sprains
• Reduces formation of scar tissue
• Reduces muscle spasms
• Provides greater joint flexibility and range of motion
• Treats injuries caused during sports or work
• Improves circulation of blood and movement of lymph fluids
• Enhances the health and nourishment of the skin
• Strengthens the immune system
• Treats musculoskeletal problems
• Rehabilitation post operative
• Rehabilitation after injury
• Improves posture
• Relieves tension-related headaches and effects of eye-strain

Massage therapy aids in the healing process from injury or over-use. Many sports injuries, car accidents, repetitive motion, and tension from everyday stress can cause problems that will cause pain, headaches, decrease range of motion, lower resistance to illnesses and compromise ones lifestyle. It is an excellent form of preventive health care.

Mental Benefits of Massage Therapy:

• Fosters peace of mind
• Promotes a relaxed state of mental alertness
• Relieves mental stress
• Enhances capacity for calm thinking and creativity
• Satisfies needs for caring nurturing touch
• Promotes a feeling of well-being
• Reduces levels of anxiety
• Creates body awareness
• Increases awareness of mind-body connection

When muscles are overworked, waste products such as lactic acid can accumulate in the muscle, causing soreness, stiffness, and even muscle spasm. Massage improves circulation, increases blood flow, bringing fresh oxygen to muscle tissues. This can assist the elimination of waste Products, speed healing after injury, and enhance recovery from disease.

Reflexology
Reflexology is the physical act of applying pressure to the feet and hand with specific thumb, finger and hand techniques without the use of oil or lotion. It is also called “zone therapy”. It is based on the theory that each body part is represented on the feet and hands and that pressing on specific areas on the feet or hands can have therapeutic effects in other parts of the body.

Massaging or pressing each area can stimulate the flow of energy, blood, nutrients, and nerve impulses to the corresponding body zone and thereby relieve ailments in that zone.

Kevin and Barbara Kunz, for example stated:
“The individual’s foot reflex areas reflect the individual’s overall state of tension that has resulted from a lifetime of adaptation to stress. Stress cues in the feet are a roadmap to the reflexologist. Wherever it is found on the foot, it is a sign that stress and its effect have begun to accumulate in the corresponding parts of the body where pain may exist.”

Reflexology is said to have originated in China some 5000 years ago when pressure therapy was used to correct energy fields in the body. It was not until 1913 that the therapy was introduced to the west by Dr. William Fitzgerald. He called it “Zone Therapy”. In the 1930’s Eunice Ingram decided to experiment giving a person a complete treatment by working solely on the feet, finding people were responsive to the treatment. “Reflexology” was born.

It is a gentle and effective form of therapeutic treatment used to induce a state of balance and well-being within. It can bring relief to a variety of conditions and is suitable for all ages, including children. It is thought that illness occurs when energy channels(qi,ki,chi) in the body are blocked, causing pain. Massage is aimed at destroying these blocks and allowing energy to flow freely again, thus healing the pain.

Benefits of reflexology

• Reduces stress
• Reduces pain
• Promotes a sense of well-being
• Increases energy
• Improves circulation
• Cleanses body of toxins
• Reduces anxiety and Panicky feelings
• Improves intestinal functioning
• Reduces swelling
• Strengthens the immune system

On the whole, a Reflexology treatment is pleasant and soothing. It relaxes and stimulates the body’s own healing processes

Reiki
Reiki is a Japanese natural healing system for stress reduction and relaxation which also promotes physical, emotional and spiritual healing. The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words-Rei which means "universal ,and Ki=life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one's "life force energy" is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is balanced, we are more capable of being happy and healthy. The practitioner channels this loving energy through the light touch of hands on the body, or through the client's energy field, which results in a systematic treatment that covers all organs and the energy centers of the body, (chakras). This energy has intelligence far beyond what we can understand; our bodies utilize this energy to heal on all levels: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual.

Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method of energy healing that everyone can use. It has been effective helping most known illnesses. It also works in conjunction with all other medical or therapeutic techniques to relieve side effects and promote recovery.

A treatment feels like a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through and around you. Reiki treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit creating many beneficial effects.

Benefits of Reiki:

• Creates deep relaxation, aids the body to release stress and tension,
• Acelerates the bodies' self-healing abilities,
• Aides better sleep,
• Reduces blood pressure
• Aides with acute (injuries) and chronic problems (asthma, eczema, headaches, etc.).
• Relieves pain,
• Removes energy blockages, adjusts the energy flow of the endocrine system bringing the body into balance and harmony,
• Assists the body in cleansing itself from toxins,
• Reduces some of the side effects of drugs and helps the body to recover from drug therapy after surgery and chemotherapy,
• Supports the immune system,
• Increases vitality,
• Raises the vibrational frequency of the body,
• Aides spiritual growth and emotional clearing

Click here for a recent feature article in the Cleveland Plain Dealer about Reiki

Reiki is energy work in which healing is performed by the touch of the hands, allowing the flow of energy from the practitioner to the patient. It is extremely powerful, and gentle and can be sent to others just by intention.

The energy is a basic use of electro-magnetic field around a human body to induce a sense of peace and tranquility, alleviate fear, and allow the receiver and the practitioner to simultaneously receive energy and send the energy. Reiki is not dependent on any belief and it is not a religion or cult. It has no dogma and there is nothing you must believe to learn to use Reiki or to receive Reiki. Reiki works with all religions and beliefs. Please note, that Reiki is not a substitute for medical care. In case of any medical condition, one should consult with the appropriate health care practitioner.

Ortho-Bionomy
Ortho-bionomy is used to alleviate chronic pain associated with injuries, muscle and joint problems, and arthritis. It helps reduce stress, increase circulation, enhance relaxation, and improve problems of posture or structural alignment. Its gentle technique is recommended for acute pain and rehabilitative injuries. Ortho-bionomy is incorporated into other healing treatments. For example, massage therapists may use this technique to relieve knotted muscles. Some of the techniques may be used to relieve cramps, back pain, sore muscles, and headaches.

Description
A session with an Ortho-bionomy therapist is similar to other therapeutic massage sessions. Emphasis is placed on comfort, and on a trusting and open relationship between patient and therapist. Open communication from the patient provides feedback and assists in the discovery and release of emotional issues. The therapist may use a range of hands-on techniques, including light touch, smooth movements, gentle pressure on reflex points, finding and working with points of tension and pain, gentle prolonged body-positioning for release, and re-education exercises.

Ortho-Bionomy, recognizes the body's self-healing and self-regulating capacity. The process began in 1964 when American Osteopath Lawrence Jones developed "positional release," a technique using exaggerated body positioning to release pain and tension.

Inspired by this work, by 1976 British Osteopath Arthur Lincoln Pauls had developed the Phased Reflex Techniques of Ortho-Bionomy, an integration of positional release and energetic methods, that enable clients to consciously experience and participate in their body's ability self-correct. Ortho-Bionomy is now taught and practiced world-wide.. Ortho-Bionomy creates an atmosphere for clients to connect with their inner wisdom by awakening self-corrective reflexes that open the door to healing, awareness and structural balance.

During a typical Ortho-Bionomy session, the practitioner tracks the flow of the client’s experience and responds with a variety of techniques. These techniques include: gentle, conscious contact with the hands, locating and addressing points of tension and sensitivity, comfortable body-positioning for release, with compression into the joints, isometrics, and integrative re-education exercises. The practitioner embodies the principles of Ortho-Bionomy, that engages the client’s natural responsiveness and healing awareness.