Acupressure is a traditional Chinese medicine technique based on the same ideas as acupuncture. Acupressure involves placing physical pressure by hand, elbow, or with the aid of various devices on different acupuncture points on the surface of the body. Acupuncture points also called acupoints are locations on the body that are the focus of acupuncture, acupressure, sonopuncture, and laser acupuncture treatments. There are several hundred acupuncture points that are distributed along meridians (connected points across the body which affect a specific organ or other part of a person) as well as numerous other "extra points" that are not associated with a particular meridian.

Assisted stretching is aiding a patient with physical assistance with stretching the arms legs and body. The assist is to make sure the patient is doing the stretch properly and safely.

Craniosacral therapy is a method of applying a subtle movement of the spinal and cranial bones to bring the central nervous system into harmony. This therapy involves assessing and addressing the movement of the cerebrospinal fluid (more specifically the CSF occupies the space between the arachnoid mater the internal layer of the brain cover, meninges and the pia mater the most superficial layer of the brain), which can be restricted by trauma to the body, such as through falls, accidents, and general nervous tension. By gently working with the spine, the skull and its cranial sutures, diaphragms, and fascia, the restrictions of nerve passages are eased, the movement of CSF through the spinal cord can be optimized, and misaligned bones can be restored to their proper position.

Deep tissue techniques are generally designed for more focused massage work. Working a specific joint, muscle or muscle group, the practitioner can access deeper layers of the soft tissue. Starting superficially and easing into the depth of the muscle slowly often allows more movement.

Hot Stone was used by Egyptians, Native Americans and in Lomilomi massage. Smooth hot or cold stones, usually basalt or marble, are used to massage the body. When heated stones are used muscles relax allowing the massage therapist to work deeper into the muscle.

Lomi Lomi is the traditional massage of Hawaii. Lomi Lomi practitioners use the palms, forearm, fingers, knuckles, elbows, knees, feet, even sticks and stones. The Lomi Lomi practices varied by family, ahupua'a (region), and island. Context includes as a healing practice of native healers, as a luxury and an aid to digestion, and as restorative massage.

Myofascial Release If we break the word up it is easier to remember its meaning. "Myo" refers to muscle and "fascial" refers to the sheets of ligament material (called fascia), which wrap around each of our muscles and internal organs and separate our skin from the underlying muscles. Release means to get rid of something that binds.

When injuries occur, scar tissue often forms in the spaces between the layers of fascia, which is occupied with all the blood vessels and nerves. This is a problem, because scar tissue, in these same spaces, binds the layers of fascia together and pinches the blood vessels and nerves, causing reduced blood flow and nerve inflammation. Ouch!

Polarity therapy is a synthesis of ancient Eastern and alternative medicine health care ideas centered on the concept of a Human Energy Field (in spirituality, refers to a widespread belief in an inter- or intra-personal forces, for which no empirical evidence has been found. Believers assume spiritual energy to be of a different type than those known to science, and therapies involved are often classed as alternative medicine).

Pregnancy doulas (a non-medical assistant who provides physical, emotional and informational support in prenatal care, during childbirth and during the postpartum period) will often use massage to smooth the labor process.

Reflexology also called Foot zone therapy is traditionally practiced without lotion, as the pressure points on the feet are stimulated by thumb and finger walking, as well as static pressure. The theory behind foot massage maintains that the ailment of an internal organ will be associated with the nerve ending on the sole of the foot. As pressure is applied to the sole, theory holds that a healthy patient should not feel any strong pain. This theory is based on the energetic flow of "meridians" in the body, also known as Chi.

Reiki is a form of spiritual practice, used as a complementary therapy, proposed for the treatment of physical, emotional, and mental diseases. In a typical whole-body Reiki treatment, the practitioner asks the recipient to lie down, usually on a massage table, and relax. Loose, comfortable clothing is usually worn during the treatment. The practitioner might take a few moments to enter a calm or meditative state of mind and mentally prepare for the treatment, which is usually carried out without any unnecessary talking. The treatment proceeds with the practitioner placing his hands on the recipient in various positions. However, some practitioners use a non-touching technique, where the hands are held a few centimeters away from the recipient's body, for some or all of the positions. The hands are usually kept still for 3 to 5 minutes before moving to the next position. Overall, the hand positions usually give a general coverage of the head, the front and back of the torso, the knees and feet. Between 12 and 20 positions are used, with the whole treatment lasting 45 to 90 minutes.

Shiatsu is a form of Japanese massage that uses thumb pressure and works along the same energy meridians as acupressure and incorporates stretching. You are fully clothed while lying on a mat on the floor.

Sports injury massage enhances athletic performance and recovery. Muscle Energy Technique (MET) can be applied (muscle energy technique is used in loss of range of motion secondary to muscular inhibition).

Swedish massage is a style that utilizes long, flowing strokes, often but not necessarily in the direction of the heart. There are six basic strokes: effleurage "to skim over", petrissage "to knead", friction, tapotement, compression, and vibration. Petrissage is a kneading movement with the whole palm or finger tips, using wringing, skin rolling, compression, and/or lifting.

Thai massage the receiver is put into many yoga like positions during the course of the massage. Known in Thailand as meaning "ancient/traditional massage", this form of massage is also known as Thai ancient massage, traditional Thai massage, Thai yoga massage, yoga massage, Thai classical massage, Thai bodywork, passive yoga or assisted yoga. Thai massage originated in India based and is based on Ayurveda and yoga.

TMJ release is the action on massaging the jaw area to result in relief of pain or discomfort. Massage can help to eliminate pain and discomfort to better condition the jaw area to become stronger. Pain or dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint is commonly referred to as "TMJ", when in fact, TMJ is really the name of the joint, and Temporomandibular joint disorder. This term is used to refer to a group of problems involving the TMJs and the muscles, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, and other tissues associated with them. Some practitioners might include the neck, the back and even the whole body in describing problems with the TMJs.

Trigger point therapy can also be called pressure point massage. A triigger point is an area of a muscle (about 50 cells) that may refer pain sensations to other parts of the body. Manual pressure is applied to these points. With the proper pressure, duration and location, immediate release of tension and improved muscular functioning may occur.