The Best Massage Styles For You Kris Shaw offers 20 different styles of bodywork
learned over her 25 years of teaching and offering massage with a large spectrum of
clientele in her practice. She offers all of the listed styles of bodywork below for various
effects on her clients' body/mind conditions. Having worked with thousands of clients
with the multitude of stress and medical conditions, she is a master bodyworker in
these specialty areas.Here is a description of many of the styles she commonly uses. If you are new to alternative health & massage this may give you some introduction to this world. There is a wide assortment of massage and bodywork therapies available today. There are several popular styles of therapeutic massage. Each one has its own unique character, techniques and theoretical base. Some are more effective for certain goals than others. So where do you begin choosing? How do you know which one is best for you? There are literally dozens of schools of bodywork, from light energetic type bodywork to the deep tissue bodywork therapies like Rolfing which aims toward a literally restructuring of the body. Energetic systems of bodywork, such as polarity, acupressure, Reiki and craniosacral bodywork help balance energy in the body and bring about enhanced health and well being. Sessions are designed for the needs of the client, a combination of several techniques or just one may be used depending upon your needs. Most Styles of Bodywork can fit into these 3 functions and purposes:
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The most well known
form of Western massage today is the Swedish style. It's what most people are familiar with
as a generic nurturing massage offered in spa and beauty salons. People experiencing the work
feel more relaxed and pliable. Swedish offers a lot of soothing , rhythmical gliding movements with
lotion or oil. The friction movements break up fibrous tissue & provide greater range of motion.
For a full body Swedish massage, you lie partially disrobed and covered on a massage table so
that oils or aromatherapies can be applied with its long smooth strokes.
An ancient system
of bodywork aimed at encouraging Chi life force to circulate through the body. Combining Oriental healing
philosophy & techniques with traditional Chinese acupuncture points, this Japanese bodywork uses
thumb and palm pressure to transmit healing energy to chronic tension patterns, reinforcing joint and
muscle mobility. The philosophy behind Oriental massage differs considerably from Swedish. By
unblocking the Chi in the meridians, this energetic bodywork allows the body to heal itself and helps to
prevent illness. Shiatsu is one of the most popular styles of bodywork, leaving a person invigorated
after a session.
Craniosacral
bodywork is a form of osteopathic bodywork developed by British osteopath, Dr. John Upledger. It is
a light hands on approach that assists the hydraulic forces inherent within the Central Nervous System
to induce deep levels of relaxation. Utilizing a gentle, noninvasive manipulation technique, this
osteopathic healing modality improves the function of the brain and spinal cord to dissipate the
negative effects of stress, promotes good health and enhances resistance to disease. Clients feel
calm and refreshed afterwards.
Myofascia Release was developed by physical therapist John Barnes in the1970's.
It requires more advanced training and posture, and increases body awareness. Myofascia is an advanced form of bodywork with some
similarities to deep tissue Rolfing in that it rearranges the fascia in the muscular layers. Myofascial
Release uses prolonged stretching & deep tissue connective stretches to small regions
of the muscular-skeletal frame. It is particularly effective for clearing out trigger points & chronic
pain patterns in muscular groups and joints after car accidents.
This bodywork style is used to release chronic muscle tension through slower strokes and more direct
pressure applied to the deeper layers of the muscles. This invigorating experience is a process of
detection of stiff and painful areas by determining the quality and texture of deeper layers of musculature,
and slowly working the deep layers of tissue. Specific hand positions and stroke are then used to
respond to various tissue qualities. Techniques employing breath and movement are also used for
releasing muscular congestion.
Sports massage integrates deeper Swedish techniques with pressure point to prevent injury, improve
performance and aid recovery. The focus of the treatment is on the areas most stressed during exercise.
It often employs passive and resistant stretching for pre and post athletic events and maintenance
techniques that promote greater athletic endurance and performance, lessening chances of injury and
reduce recovery time. When working on overuse or injured joints, Kristina utilizes Chinese liniments
& the Acuscope to speed up the healing of the soft tissue. Professional athletic teams &
Olympic athletes who injure themselves use the Acuscope microcurrent equipment extensively.
Thai massage originated in India over 2500 years ago. Thailand, being so near to China and on the trade route to and from India, gained the influences of both cultures. This ancient healing traditions have been passed down from generation to generation through the temples & family traditions. The influences of acupuncture, herbs, shiatsu, tui-na Chinese massage, along with gentle yoga postures have been integrated into this system of healing. Through compression, pressure on specific points and stretches to release muscular and energetic blockages, the body’s free flow of energy is balanced and restored. Similar in some ways to barefoot shiatsu, leverage with the feet, knees, fists, hands & full body strength are strategically used by the therapist to penetrate into muscular areas. There is an intimate & meditative quality to this bodywork, with the giver massaging with the mind centered, while the receiver focuses on a breathing rhythm.
This specialty form of massage benefits both the mother and the baby. Many pediatricians recommend
therapeutic massage during pregnancy to improve circulation for varicosities, foot discomfort & to
ease low back & abdominal stresses. It is especially helpful during the last trimester of pregnancy
to create more space for the baby to move. Kristina has been specialty trained in pregnancy massage
& birth acupuncture in New York. She has worked for 20 years with women’s health
issues, particularly gynecology care. 
Polarity bodywork is an Eastern style of gentle bodywork from India that does advanced energetic
balancing . It was developed by an osteopathic doctor, Dr. Randolfe Stone in the 1960’s,
emphasizing the interdependence of the body, emotions, as well as counseling on developing positive
thoughts and attitudes. Tapping into the meridian system, Polarity works with the organs, endocrine
and nervous system to rebalance where the body needs energetic revamping. Polarity is often
used by care givers in conjunction with many other therapies.
Water massage is where
a therapist floats you in body temperature water supporting the weight of your body cradled in their
arms and gently rocked supporting the sacrum. The therapist applies slow stretches and movements
that encourage the receiver to go deep into them. Movements of activity flow into moments of quiet .
This can be especially effective with pregnant women in their third trimester.