Type of Massage Therapy and Bodywork: Overview
Currently there are over 250 types of massage therapy and bodywork that are recognized and practiced in the world. North America dominates the regulation and professionalism of massage therapy and bodywork as a legitimate integrated component of the health care industry. Massage therapy schools employ roughly 5% of licensed massage therapists in the industry to also teach the art and science of massage therapy, for the purpose of issuing state and provincial licenses and national certifications in therapeutic massage and bodywork, thus giving professionally trained massage therapists the credibility and legal ability to practice their trade in the United States and Canada.
Each type of massage, or modality, has authentic and unique techniques that define and differentiate that modality from the others and most Massage Therapy Schools will offer classed on the different modalities. Generally classified as having origins in the eastern or western world, the types of massage therapy are a result of the philosophy and logic about health and healing indigenous to the specific region of the world where it was developed. All types of massage are nonetheless derived from one common denominator; individuals developing their innate sense to skillfully provide manual therapy in order to improve the comfort and health of another human being.
Eastern massage and bodywork modalities are supported by the principles and theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine that dates back some 5000 years. They include the popular modalities of Thai Massage, TuiNa (Traditional Chinese Massage), Shiatsu, Reiki, Ayurvedic Massage and more. Complimentary Western massage and bodywork modalities are supported by the foundation of the medical sciences of Anatomy and Physiology, Pathology, and Kinesiology. They include Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue Massage Therapy, Lymphatic Massage, Myofascial Release, Reflexology, Neuromuscular Therapy, and more.
The increasing popularity and use of massage therapy over the past decade has given rise to an increasing number of massage therapy schools that provide state-licensed certification programs ensuring the quality of the professionally trained massage therapists who enter the healthcare industry. All types of massage therapy and massage therapy schools have significantly helped to define the ever-growing alternative health care industry.
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