A non-intrusive precursor of acupuncture, acupressure stimulates the flow of vital energy - known as "chi" - that circulates along the body's meridians and influences the functioning of certain internal organs.

By applying thumb and fingertip pressure, specific symptoms are relieved and balance is restored to the entire body.

The Alexander Technique is movement education in which the client is taught to sit, stand and move in ways that reduce physical stress on the body.

Alexander Technique practitioners use gentle manual guidance and verbal cues to improve clients' posture and movement patterns.

A lesson or group class typically involves basic movements such as sitting, standing, walking, bending, reaching, carrying and lying down. It may also involve more specialized activities such as playing a musical instrument, working at a computer, etc.

The practitioner's manual guidance stresses the adjustment of the head, neck and torso relationship. The client learns an understanding of balance and dynamic postural control.

Aromatherapy involves a massage treatment using oil that has been blended with the essence of a plant.

The essence themselves are a little oily, very fragrant, and usually too concentrated to be used neat. Essential oils are usually blended with a carrier oil, such as jojoba or grapeseed oil.

The different essential oils' fragrance plays an important part in therapeutically treating emotional disorders through the olfactory glands. Aromatherapy is helpful in relieving stress, fluid retention, sleeping disorders and anxiety, and helps enhance health and appearance.

This gentle but dynamic therapy was developed by Australian Tom Bowen and comprises sequences of small, gentle moves at specific sites on the body.

A light, cross-fibre manoeuvre of a muscle, tendon or ligament are used, and the effect is usually very pleasant for the recipient. The Bowen Technique empowers the body's own healing resources, achieving balance and harmony, frequently resulting in fast and lasting relief from pain and discomfort.

CST is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the functioning of a physiological body system called the cranio-sacral system, comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.

Using a soft touch generally no greater than 5 grams - or about the weight of a nickel - practitioners release restrictions in the cranio-sacral system to improve the functioning of the central nervous system.

By complementing the body's natural healing processes, CST is increasingly used as a preventive health measure for its ability to bolster resistance to disease, and is effective for a wide range of medical problems associated with pain and dysfunction.

This deep form of bodywork helps to release myofascial restrictions in the body. It relieves chronic tension, increases range of motion, improves posture and enhances self-awareness.

Connective tissue massage restores length and flexibility to the fascia, normalizing the tissue and bringing greater health through the fascial system.

This style of therapy combines classical Swedish massage, with its precise manner of working with muscles and the circulatory system, and the deeply personal sensing work brought from Germany by Charlotte Selver.

Long, lengthening strokes with gentle rocking and stretching, passive joint movement, sculpting of deep musculature, and the precision of Chinese point work are all part of this unique full body treatment.

Feldenkrais is an educational process involving awareness through movement, a sensorimotor balancing technique and functional integration, in which a teacher guides a patient through a series of manipulative sequences consisting of information, action and response to re-establish proper neuromotor patterning and balance.

The combination of structural and functional rehabilitation, integrative manual therapy is a specialty that finds its roots in osteopathic medicine.

Its basic concept is that structure determines function where no part functions independently. Manual therapy addresses the entire body, locating the source of pain and disability, not just the symptoms.

Gentle, non-invasive hands-on methods are used to support the body's inherent ability to heal itself, normalize the structural integrity and physiologic function and promote optimal health.

Joint mobilization (basic, advanced, thrust, as well as traction and gliding) is a passive movement technique that when applied to joints increases mobility and may be localized or regional.

Traction, vibrations and oscillations are used as techniques relieving symptoms.

A "muscle testing" form of chiropractic introduced in 1964, practitioners also examine structural factors such as posture and gait and make recommendations about lifestyle changes.

Kinesiology is also a non-invasive therapy, in which applied kinesiologists apply light finger-tip massage to pressure points on the body or head in order to stimulate or relax key muscles.

Neuromuscular therapy also includes muscle test for diagnosis, then emphasizes the role of the brain, spine, and nerves to assess and restore balance of the body's skeletal structure.

Kinesiology is used to improve digestion, energy, and sports performance and to ease back and joint pain, allergies, asthma, depression and headaches.

This Hawaiian system of massage utilizes very large, broad movements. Two-handed forearm and elbow application of strokes, which cover a broad area, is characteristic of Lomi Lomi.

Lomi Lomi is Hawaiian for rub-rub. Oils are used in the application of cross-fibre friction techniques. The practitioner often uses the forearm and the elbow in the application of pressure.

Similar to Swedish massage in many aspects, this system uses prayer and the acknowledgment of the existence of a higher power as an integral part of the technique.

A technique that when applied directly is based on the principle of reciprocal inhibition and when applied indirectly is based on post-contraction relaxation. The goal is to relax a muscle spasm.

This slow and subtle technique can be used to release fascia and muscle throughout the body. The therapist uses light to moderate traction and a twisting approach to achieve biomechanical and reflex change through an appropriate tension on the soft tissue.

This therapy is applied with a combination of effleurage or gliding, petrissage or grasping, friction, muscle energy, and strain/counter-strain techniques.

A technique developed from SOMA bodywork, NISA is a soft version of Rolfing.

NISA consists of 12 sessions and approaches the body somewhat more gently to accomplish the same goal of structural alignment. The NISA technique is designed to affect the fascia by separating and stretching it.

Reflexology is an ancient healing art based on the principles that there are reflexes in the hands and feet that correspond to every part, organ and gland in the body. By using acupressure and massage on the hands and feet, the client benefits from improved circulation, detoxification, reduced tension and the body's ability to heal itself.

Developed in Japan, Shiatsu is a finger-pressure technique utilizing the traditional acupuncture points of Oriental healing. Similar to acupressure, shiatsu concentrates on unblocking the flow of life energy and restoring balance in the meridians and organs in order to promote self-healing.

With the client reclining, the practitioner applies pressure with the finger, thumb, palm, elbow or knee to specific zones on the skin located along the energy meridians. The treatment brings about a sense of relaxation while stimulating blood and lymphatic flow.

The benefits of this treatment may include pain relief and a strengthening of the body's resistance to disease and disorder.

Consists of specific components designed to reduce injuries, such as alleviating inflammation and providing a warm-up for amateur and professional athletes before, during, after, and within their training regimens.

Massage can help you prepare for a competitive event. A pre-event massage is brief and invigorating, usually lasting, 15-20 minutes. It is given within an hour before the sporting event, through the clothes.

Post-event massage will be calming and relaxing with the goal of easing pain and soreness and reducing inflammation, also lasting 15-20 minutes and through the clothes. Post-event massage can bring blood and oxygen to tense areas and flush out metabolic waste products built up during heavy muscle use.

Stones of all shapes and sizes and varying temperatures, ranging from 0-140 degrees F, are used during Stone massage therapy to elicit physical healing, mental relaxation and a spiritual connection to earth energy.

Warm stones encourage the exchange of blood and lymph and provide soothing heat for deep-tissue work. Cold stones aid with inflammation, moving blood out of the area and balancing male/female energies.

Stones are placed in varying positions on the body for energy balancing or may be used by the therapist for specific trigger-point work. The alternating heat and cold of thermotherapy brings the entire body into the healing process, with a rapid exchange of blood and oxygen and alternating rise and fall of respiration rate as the body seeks homeostasis.

Stone therapy requires less effort from the practitioner's own body and delivers healing warmth to the hands, benefiting the therapist as well as the client.

One of the most commonly taught and well-known massage techniques, Swedish massage is a vigorous system of treatment designed to energize the body by stimulating circulation.

Five basic strokes, all flowing toward the heart, are used to manipulate the soft tissues of the body. Therapists use a combination of kneading, rolling, vibrational, percussive and tapping movements, with the application of oil, to reduce friction on the skin.

The many benefits of Swedish massage may include generalized relaxation, dissolution of scar tissue adhesions and improved circulation, which may speed healing and reduce swelling from injury.

Thai Massage is based on the theory that the body is made up of 72,000 sen, or energy lines, of which 10 hold top priority.

Thai Massage also involves peripheral stimulating, meaning it acts as an external stimulant to produce specific internal effects. This point serves as the main division between Thai and Western massage.

Thai Massage is practiced on a firm mat on the floor instead of on a table, instrumental in the effective use of the practitioner's body weight. Except for the feet, the client remains fully clothed, so draping is not necessary.

Chinese massage that can be used alone or in combination with other treatments to relieve pain and muscular tension. It includes acupressure to stimulate specific points as well as pushing or grasping strokes to the muscles with specific attention paid to the meridians and the flow of "chi". This treatment can relax the muscles and improve circulation.

A word that means WATer shiatSU. Zen shiatsu incorporates stretches which release blockages along the meridians, the channels through which Chi, or life force, flows. The effects of Zen shiatsu could be amplified and made more profound by stretching someone while having them float in warm water.

By supporting, rocking and moving the whole body while stretching a leg or arm, Watsu lessens the resistance there is when a limb is worked in isolation. When the whole body is in continual movement, each move flowing gracefully into the next, there is no way to anticipate, and thus resist, what's coming next.

Warm water (96 degrees), and the continuous support it provides, help free the spine.

Zero Balancing is a simple, yet powerful hands-on method of aligning body energy with body structure. It integrates fundamental principles of Western science with Eastern concepts of body, mind and spirit.

By correcting imbalances between energy and structure, the Zero Balancing practitioner can enhance physical, mental and spiritual health. A Zero Balancing session, which consists of gentle pressing, stretching and bending, generally takes 30 minutes and is done through the client's clothing.