Massage in Miami

Swedish Massage and Other Styles

Massage therapy has been around since before the first written word. Pictures show Egyptian slaves performing massage on their noble masters. The first written accounts were found in China. It is thought that the Chinese were the first to establish a methodology pertaining to the manipulation of the body. Today there are countless styles.

Many regions of the world have adopted their own unique system. For instance, Thailand is known for its system of stretching and pressure point techniques referred to as Thai massage. For hundreds of years Hawaiian therapists have developed a lifestyle around a massage called lomi lomi, and in Japan practitioners incorporate acupressure and stretching in a style called shiatsu. The most common form of massage though is Swedish. This is probably due to its wide range of techniques, and because it can be performed deep, as in deep tissue, or light, depending on the client's taste.

Describing every style would be impractical. Instead, I have listed the most common ones available, and a brief description of each. You can find these in Modalities. But first, let's discuss some important issues pertaining to the massage experience.

The Massage Experience

Those getting a massage for the first time will want to know what to expect. Clothing is sometimes a concern, as well as what activities to do to prepare for the experience. Most importantly, one should not eat 45 minutes prior to an appointment. Although not a strict rule, getting a massage with your stomach full may be a little uncomfortable. The amount of clothing worn will depend on the type of massage you will get. But you should note that your privacy and comfort is always a priority and you will always be covered. You are the only one who can request not to have draping. Your comfort and your therapist's is equally important. Choose a room temperature that will allow you to be warm enough yet be equally comfortable for the therapist. Consider showering prior to your service. Not only does this ensure that you will not have to worry about body odor, but it also helps begin to relax your body and mind.


Before beginning the treatment the therapist will ask about your past experiences, intended goal for the massage, and get your medical history. This is to address any health concerns, ensure that there are no contraindications, and tailor the massage to best meet your needs. If you have any problem areas that you want addressed, this is the time to bring it up. The therapist will then instruct you on how to lie on the table, and allow you the privacy to do so. Once the massage begins you will be transported to a land of blissful indulgence. The rest is a heavenly experience where you are required to do nothing more than remember to breath.

Medical Contraindications

Contraindications are existing medical conditions for which massage is not recommended. These include but are not limited to:

If you have any other medical condition not on this list, it is best to let your therapist know before the treatment begins.

How deep is too deep?

The amount of pressure used throughout a session depends on the type of massage, the goal of the session, and the preference the client. In general if the amount of pressure used on an area is making the client uncomfortable, then the pressure is too much.

The Six Senses

Of the six senses available to us (sight, sound, touch, smell, taste, and intuition), five have important implications in massage. If you were to classify them in order of relevance they would be listed as touch, intuition (which in massage are both closely related and go hand in hand, no pun intended), hearing, smell and sight.

Touch and Intuition

It goes without saying that touch is the most important sense when it comes to massage. Wait, I already said it.  Anyhow it, and the intuition of how to control and wield it, is the art behind the massage. The continuation of contact, the slow increase of pressure, the insight as to how much to press and where. How fast, and how long to reach before returning. On the pulse of the heartbeat or on the exhale of the breath? Does one wait for the breath or continue with the motion of a wave? What is important and what is not. This is the ART. On the other hand, The science has to do with the technique. How will the body respond to direct downward pressure as apposed to circular or cross friction. What point will release a holding pattern in a muscle group? Where does a problematic muscle attach to the tendon which attaches to the bone. The science is equally as important as the art. But only the art for the most part, is intuitively born in the person. Those not born with this sense may well learn it with experience and training. But those born with it only can also enhance it and refine it with experience. This is the main difference between a good massage therapist and a great one. Only after getting several massages from many different therapists can you truly experience what you’ve just read. The good news is that most massage therapists come into the field because of a natural instinctive calling. And it is this calling, this natural desire to make others feel good that brings out the art, and makes them great.

Smell

The sense of smell affects out instinctual emotions. Observe the effect it has on eating. The taste of food is affected by your smell of it. In fact taste is in large part dependent on smell. Without your sense of smell most foods would taste bland. On a similar note, you tend to avoid foods that don’t smell right. This is one way that you avoid eating food that is harmful. Similarly smell affects your emotional state. And your emotions have an effect on your physical well being. Aromatherapy (therapy using essential or aromatic oils) is therefore a great way to enhance the massage experience. Many of you already know how relaxing it can be to fill your bathtub with rose, or some other relaxing bath oil. Now imagine being massaged with those same oils.

Sight

Sight is the least important sense in affecting the massage experience. Most people will keep their eyes closed over 90% of the time. However it can't entirely be ignored. Colors effect emotions. Some psychologists and interior designers spend their careers based on this notion. Rooms are painted certain colors depending on their intended use. The idea being to have a positive effect on the occupant's psyche.

In my practice their isn’t much that I could do in this regard unless the client has an area set aside in their home or office, in which they have created a desired ambience. The easiest way to do this is with the use of candles or diffused lighting. Different colored lights can also affect the mood differently. This can largely be a personal preference and so is one that I leave to the client.

Sound

Hearing is an important sense. Sounds soothe the mind and can be stimulating, relaxing or hypnotic. The sounds or music chosen for a massage session is very important in enhancing the whole experience.

On Music

Generic new age music is fine for falling asleep with, but to have a definite impact on massage, music with a more hypnotic aspect is needed. For an intense experience, the rhythm of the music should closely match the rhythm of the massage, but most importantly, the melody should be full of passion. For a more relaxing massage a lighter composition works best. Soft echoing sounds especially in a surround environment are equally effective. My preference for most massages is electronic music of an exotic nature. Electronic music that is well orchestrated and composed with insight and feeling enhances the energy flow of the environment which amplifies the energy exchange between therapist and client.