World Massage Festival

• Lomi Lomi Massage
  Hawaiian for "rub rub," Lomilomi is a massage technique that's been handed down from ancient Hawaiian healers. Spiritual in nature, the technique was formalized by Hawaiian-born nurse, Margaret Machado. The strokes used are similar to the shiatsu technique of Japan but are gentler and shorter. Pressure with the fingers at certain points is also part of the technique, but it is of shorter duration than most acupressure. Two identifying techniques of authentic Lomilomi are the emphasis on spirit/body connection and the use of forearm and elbow as a massage tool.
  
  
• Looyen Work
  LooyenWork was developed by Ted Looyen, a Dutch-born counselor and bodyworker from Australia now practicing in California. His system works with the core emotional issue of a client. Though the effect is deep, the massage is gentle in keeping with Looyen's belief that pain does not heal pain. This is one of many forms of bodywork that promotes emotional well-being through the physical release afforded by massage techniques.
  
  
• Lymph System Massage
  In the 1930s, a Danish doctor, Hans Vodder, noticed the connection between swollen and blocked lymph glands and colds, infections and other ailments. Since the lymph system is designed to remove bacteria and toxins from the body, he reasoned that massaging the lymph system would improve the flow of lymph and benefit the patient. Together with his wife, a massage practitioner, they developed a specific technique that massages the lymph nodes and lymph system using light rhythmic strokes. A characteristic of lymph system massage is that the strokes are always with the muscle fiber, rather than cross-fiber, because the lymph system runs in the direction of the muscle fiber.
  
  
• Myofascial
  Erik Dalton's very popular “Myoskeletal Alignment” seminars and home-study courses offer somatic therapists new deep tissue strategies for correcting chronic reflex muscle spasm caused by joint blockage. Drawing on a wide range of disciplines, focus is on unusual, interesting and fresh approaches that both expand technique repertoire and inspire creativity and innovation. These easily incorporated deep tissue, muscle energy, and joint stretching routines offer the pain-management, sports therapist and structural integrator hands-on skills that set them apart in the eyes of clients and referral sources.
  
  
• Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques®
  Release Therapy All muscles, arteries, bones, organs, etc. are held together by a Saran wrap kind of tissue called fascia. Developed in the late 1960's by John Barnes, Myofascial Release works by the manipulation of the fascia that connects and surrounds muscles. Because the fascia is body-wide, a tension or trauma in one part of the body can affect another part. The fascia responds to the trained touch to release the adverse effects of inflammation, tensions and trauma.
  
  
• Myotherapy
  Developed by Bonnie Prudden in 1976, Myotherapy is a method of relaxing muscle spasm, improving circulation and alleviating pain. It works by defusing "trigger points," which are intense knots of muscle tension that often refer pain to other areas of the body. When a trigger point is under excess emotional or physical stress it often responds by throwing a muscle into spasm. Spasm, in turn, causes pain. The myotherapist erases the spasm by pressing on the appropriate trigger points for several seconds by means of fingers, knuckles, and elbows and then re-educates the affected muscle to its normal resting relaxed condition with special exercises designed for each individual problem.
  
  
• Naprapathy
  Originated by a chiropractor in Chicago in 1907, naprapathy is a gentle massage of connective tissue to restore optimal flow of energy through the body. Naprapathy also is holistic in nature in that it pays attention to nutrition, movement, lifestyle and diet. A prime focus of this technique is the attention to the ligaments that encase the spinal column.
  
  
• Neuromuscular Therapy
  Neuromuscular Therapy is a program of recovery from acute and chronic pain syndromes by utilizing specific massage therapy, including the pressure of trigger points, to eliminate the causes of pain patterns. This approach brings about balance between the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system. It enhances the function of joints, muscles, and movement, and it releases endorphins, the body's own natural pain killers.
  
  
• On-Site Massage
  Refer to "Chair Massage".
  
  
• Ortho-Bionomy Loosely
  Translated from Greek as "correct application of the laws of life", this gentle massage technique is often called the most homeopathic of bodywork. Developed in the 1970's by Arthur Pauls, a British osteopath, ortho-bionomy uses movements and gentle manipulations to find the position of most comfort in response to a pain. The practitioner then works from there to release the core problem.
  
  
• Oshiatsu
  Developed by Oshi in New York. This unique work is the product of years of practice by Oshi who has produced his work in a book. He is a world renown speaker and teacher.
  
  

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