Often called the cornerstone of Western massage, Swedish massage has a foundational history tied to the work of Swedish physiologist Per Henrik Ling (1776–1839) who developed a system of manual manipulation to promote overall health. Over time, this method was refined into the popular massage style we know today, celebrated globally for its holistic approach to both physical and mental well-being. It remains the most common form of massage in the United States, providing a customizable and effective way to engage with therapeutic bodywork.

As a recipient, you can expect a sequence of techniques performed with oil or lotion. The therapist uses long, flowing strokes to increase blood flow, kneading motions to release built-up muscle tension, and tapping, friction, or shaking to stimulate and relax the tissues via the nervous system. The pressure is customized to your preference, generally in the light to medium range. The main benefits include deep relaxation, significant stress and anxiety reduction, improved circulation, and relief from muscle soreness. 

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) - also known as lymphatic massage - is a gentle technique developed in the 1930s by Dr. Emil and Estrid Vodder to promote the healthy function of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a vital part of the body's immune and circulatory systems, acting as a crucial drainage network. Unlike the blood system, which has the heart as a pump, the lymph system relies on muscular movement, breathing, and external applications like MLD to direct and circulate lymph fluid—a substance that carries waste products, toxins, and immune cells—back to the bloodstream for eventual elimination. Since the lymph vessels are located just beneath the surface of the skin, MLD must use extremely light, rhythmic pressure to avoid collapsing them and disrupting this delicate flow. For the general population, MLD offers several benefits by accelerating this drainage process: it's highly effective for reducing edema (swelling) and general puffiness that can occur after trauma, surgery, or prolonged travel. By enhancing the removal of metabolic waste and speeding up immune cell activity, it supports overall immune function and promotes the body's natural detoxification, additionally speeding up recovery from post-exercise soreness. The slow rhythm of MLD tends to have a powerful calming effect on the nervous system, offering deep calm and relief for anxiety and other mental health conditions. MLD has many clinical applications, offering relief from headaches and migraines, sprains/strains, whiplash, hematomas, and countless other conditions. Note that in many cases, a Certified Manual Lymphatic Drainage Therapist can provide treatment, but the chronic swelling condition known as lymphedema must be managed by a Certified Lymphedema Specialist (CLT). 

As a recipient, you can expect a deeply relaxing session where the therapist uses gentle, unlubricated strokes that are highly strategized and applied in regard to your specific needs.

Myofascial Release (MFR) is a specialized form of manual therapy aimed at alleviating pain and restoring movement by targeting fascia, the dense, web-like connective tissue that surrounds and penetrates every muscle, bone, and organ in the body. When the fascia is exposed to physical trauma, injury, or sustained poor posture, it can become tight, hardened, or restricted, creating high-tension areas. These restrictions can cause pain and limit mobility, often in areas seemingly unrelated to the original site of tension. Though concepts related to MFR date back to the work of osteopathy founder Andrew Taylor Still in the late 19th century, the specific term "myofascial release" was coined in the 1960s, and the technique was popularized and developed into a comprehensive approach by physical therapist John F. Barnes, PT starting in the 1970s.

The technique itself is generally gentle, but persistent. The therapist typically uses their hands, fingers, elbows, or specialized tools to apply sustained pressure to an area of restricted fascia, usually without the use of oils or lotions, which allows the therapist to better feel and engage the tissue. This pressure is held for several minutes at a time to allow the fascia to slowly lengthen and release the tension, a process that is often described as feeling like a deep stretch or subtle unwinding. MFR can also involve patient movement while the therapist maintains pressure, known as Active Release Techniques (ART), to further release adhesions. By releasing these deep, chronic fascial restrictions, MFR aims to improve flexibility, correct posture, reduce chronic pain, and restore overall functional movement.

Trigger Point Therapy is a specialized form of neuromuscular massage developed in the mid-20th century by American physicians Dr. Janet Travell and Dr. David Simons. Dr. Travell discovered that many patients with seemingly unexplained pain had distinct, tender spots within their skeletal muscles—which she termed "trigger points"—that, when pressed, reproduced the patient's exact pain complaint, often in a distant area of the body (known as referred pain). Their extensive work established the concept that these hyperirritable "muscle knots" are a key factor in many chronic pain syndromes, leading to the development of specific manual techniques to address them.

As a recipient, your therapist will first feel the muscle tissue to locate these small, tight nodules within a taut band of muscle fiber. Once a trigger point is found, the technique involves applying concentrated, sustained pressure with a finger, thumb, or elbow. This pressure may temporarily increase your familiar pain or discomfort, but it is important to communicate with your therapist to ensure the intensity remains within a manageable range. The goal is to cause a reflexive release of the contracted muscle fibers. The main benefits of this targeted therapy are restoring normal muscle length and function, reducing localized and referred pain, and increasing flexibility and range of motion. Trigger Point Therapy is highly effective for chronic conditions like tension headaches, neck and shoulder pain, sciatica-like symptoms, piriformis syndrome, and general musculoskeletal pain that hasn't responded to traditional massage.

Often recognized as PNF Stretching or Facilitated Stretching, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation is a technique that actively involves the nervous system to achieve deeper, safer gains in flexibility and range of motion. Developed in the 1940s by Dr. Herman Kabat and physical therapist Margaret Knott, PNF was initially used for the rehabilitation of patients with neuromuscular conditions like polio and multiple sclerosis. It has since become a mainstay of sports medicine and therapeutic massage.

As a recipient, you will work actively with your therapist, following a distinct "contract and release" pattern. The therapist will first move a limb to passively stretch the target muscle to its natural limit. You will then be asked to contract that muscle against the therapist's sustained resistance for several seconds. When you relax, the muscle's protective stretch reflex is temporarily inhibited, allowing the therapist to gently move your limb into a significantly deeper and safer stretch, thus re-educating your nervous system. The main benefits of PNF include increasing both active and passive range of motion, reducing muscle stiffness, and improving motor control. It is highly effective for treating chronic flexibility limitations, recovering from muscle strains or injuries, correcting postural imbalances that limit movement, and enhancing athletic performance.

Cupping Therapy is an ancient healing method with roots in Egyptian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern cultures that uses suction to relieve muscle tension and promote healing. A therapist applies specialized cups to the skin and creates a vacuum, which pulls the skin and superficial muscle layer upward. This process increases blood flow to the targeted area, which helps reduce pain and inflammation, relieve stiffness, and release connective tissue known as fascia.

There are two main methods: Static Cupping and Dynamic Cupping. Static Cupping involves placing cups on specific spots and leaving them stationary for 5 to 15 minutes. This method is highly effective for treating specific “knots” or trigger points, and is the technique most likely to leave the noticeable circular marks on the skin. In contrast, Dynamic Cupping (or massage cupping) is a more active technique where the therapist first applies oil and then glides the cups across larger muscle groups while maintaining suction. This approach combines the benefits of suction with a deep, stretching massage, making it ideal for enhancing overall mobility, circulation, and broad fascial release without leaving as many marks.