Glossary of Terms
Here are some terms related to my massage practice. There are hundreds of terms, modalities and associations not listed here. I'm happy to answer any questions or direct you to where you can find them. Email me at andre@vitamindre.com

Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils (extracted from herbs, flowers, resins, woods and roots) in body and skin care treatments. Used in healing techniques by the Egyptians, Romans and Greeks, essential oils aid in relaxation and improve circulation. I add essential oils to a carrier oil (typically almond or grapeseed oil) for use during a massage.

Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP)
The ABMP is a professional membership association founded to provide massage practitioners with services and information to help them succeed in their practice. The ABMP is devoted to promoting ethical practices, protecting the rights of practitioners, and educating the public to the benefits of massage, bodywork and somatic herapies.

Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage helps with chronic muscular pain and rehabilitation after injury, and can reduce pain caused by inflammation due to arthritis and tendinitis. I generally integrate deep tissue work with other massage techniques to affect the sub-layer of musculature and fascia when presented with a condition that requires it.

Holistic Theory
Holistic theory recognizes that your mind, spirit, environment and lifestyle significantly affect the functioning of your physical body. Therefore, a holistic approach to healing and maintenance is one that addresses more than the symptoms or conditions you may be exhibiting at any given time – it is an approach addresses your body, mind, lifestyle and environment.

Hot Stone Massage
Hot Basalt stones are used in conjunction with traditional Swedish techniques. The hot stones help soften and warm the muscle and surrounding tissue, aiding the process of relaxing and loosening tired and sore muscles. This is a generally relaxing spa treatment that can also be applied to deeper, therapeutic massages.

Ingham Method Reflexology
In 1930, Eunice Ingham mapped the entire body as represented on the feet. The hands are used to apply pressure to these reflex points on the feet in an effort to reduce stress, promote relaxation, and aid in the proper functioning of the body's systems. See also “Reflexology.”

National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB)
The NCBTMB is the organization that prepares and administers the examination for national certification for massage and bodywork. Their stated mission: To foster high standards of ethical and professional practice in the delivery of services through a recognized credible credentialing program that assures the competency of practitioners of therapeutic massage and bodywork.

Reflexology
Based on ancient Chinese therapy, reflexology involves manipulation of specific reflex areas in the foot, hands and ears that correspond to other parts of the body. Applied pressure to these reflex zones stimulates body organs and, similar to acupressure, works with the body's energy flow to stimulate self-healing and maintain balance. Reflexology can reduce pain, increase relaxation, and stimulate circulation of blood and lymphatic fluids. It is especially useful in stress-related illness.

Seated Massage
Also known as chair or on-site massage, this techniques involves the use of a specially designed massage chair. Seated massage can be performed using a variety of different techniques, and is done with the client remaining fully clothed; which makes it a practical option for massage at a place of business or in public areas such as airports and street fairs.

Sports Massage
Sports massage is designed to enhance athletic performance and recovery. The contexts in which sports massage is typically used are pre- and post-event.
· Pre-event massage is delivered on the performance site, usually 15-60 minutes prior to the event. Fast-paced and stimulating, its intent is to establish blood flow and to help warm and loosen the muscles.
· Post-event massage is also delivered on-site, with the intention of calming the nervous system and aiding in the flushing of waste and toxins from the body. Post-event massage can help reduce recovery time, enabling the athlete to resume training much sooner than with rest alone.

Swedish Massage
Swedish massage is a vigorous system of treatment designed to relax and energize the body by manipulating muscle and soft tissue. A combination of kneading, rolling, vibration, percussion, and tapping movements, all flowing toward the heart, are used to promote relaxation, improve circulation, and relieve muscle tension