Massage, holistic healing and spa industry terms (A-D)
Massage, holistic healing and spa industry related terms can be just confusing enough to make it difficult to either understand what you want or what you are signing up for.
We have compiled a list of some of the more common industry related terms to help with explanations of massage services, spa treatments and holistic healing concepts. Please consult the links at the bottom of the page for the pages completing the list of terms.
acupressure points – The human body maintains a constant flow of bioenergy, or life-force, called "chi, "ki," "prana" or "qi." This energy flows through the body along pathways called "meridians,” providing energy to all of the organs. When external or internal stressors disturb the balance of this energy, illness and/or disease typically set in.
Along the meridians are a large number of pressure points that may be manipulated to ensure proper flow of this energy, or “chi.”
The stimulation of these points with manual pressure via the thumbs, fingers, knuckles or object simulating these, is considered to be “acupressure” (whereas with needles, it is “acupuncture”).
When properly administered, this technique assists to restore balance to the internal environment while simultaneously relieving symptoms and easing pain.
acupuncture – acupuncture is a facet of oriental medicine that has been developed and used by the Chinese to prevent illness and disease as well as to treat current conditions; this modality consists of the insertion of very fine needles into various and specific points along the system's channels to encourage proper flow of Qi (energy) and circulation of blood to and from the body's tissues and organs; read more about acupuncture benefits
autointoxication – toxification within the body resulting from increased absorption of bacterial or fungal toxins resulting from increased toxins in the colon itself
Ayurveda – an ancient science, dating back 5,000 years and believed to be the oldest healing science still known to man, originated in India. Ayurveda, broken down to its roots, means: "ayur" means life and longevity and "veda" means pure knowledge.
This healing science is all natural and is based on balance; balance of every aspect of the Vata (body), Pitta (mind) and Kapha (spirit), focusing on happiness and health. It incorporates diet and exercise with yoga and meditation – ideally, it is or becomes a lifestyle.
bodywork – this term may be applied to include various forms of massage, energy work, movement and other touch therapies, many of which do not include actual hands on or rubbing of the skin
chakras – energy centers that are the focus of Indian wellness, there are seven chakras within the system and they are, starting from the top of the head:
1) Sahasrara (the crown chakra) controls all chakras;
2) Ajno (the third eye) is the seat of intuition and is key to mental acuity and clarity;
3) Vishuddha (the throat chakra) is directly related to communication and diplomacy;
4) Anahata (the heart chakra) is the core of love and security and highly sensitive to stress;
5) Manipura (the solar plexus) relies on peace within the other chakras, mainly the third one, otherwise imbalance may lead to indigestion or other digestive discomfort;
6) Svadhishtana (sex chakra) is the seat of creativity and sexuality; and
7) Muladhara (the root chakra) is located under the tail bone and is what keeps us stabilized.
compression therapy – the use of a compression bandage applied to the prevailing drainage situation to maintain the edema removal achieved in manual lymph drainage
contraindications – conditions that indicate a particular massage service or spa treatment is undesirable; when massage should be avoided
cuticle – the cuticle is the thick layer of skin found on top of the nail (the nail body) right where the nail meets the outer layer of skin on the finger or toe; the healthy cuticle protects the nail root (hidden portion of nail) from external impact and debris
dosha – Ayurvedic term that depicts a body type, in which there are three – vata, pitta and kapha:
1) vata rules movement in the mind and body: blood flow, elimination, breath and thoughts;
2) pitta dictates how the body digests food, its metabolism and the determination between right and wrong; and
3) kapha is all things structure and lubrication in the system, from controlling weight, bone, muscle and tissue to lubrication in joints and lungs.
Most individuals are comprised of two of the body types, although singles and triple combinations are possible.
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