Massage, holistic healing and spa industry terms (M-O)
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.
metastasis – the spread of a cancer from the original tumor to other parts of the body by means of tiny clumps of cells transported by the blood or lymph
modalities – a name provided to the group of bodywork treatments and massage techniques, each being labeled as an individual modality for its specific desired result and purpose
moxibustion – moxibustion is the burning of dried, crushed leaves of Chinese mugwort (applied either directly to the surface of the skin or within close proximity), used commonly in conjunction with acupuncture to increase the flow of energy (Qi) in the channels to clear areas of stagnation and promote health
myofascial release – the use of sustained pressure and slow movement applied to the fascia, or tissue that surrounds the muscle, to alleviate tension generally associated with poor posture, but may have other causes; this technique is generally incorporated into other massage modalities, such as deep tissue or sports massage
N.A.E.T. – natural allergy relief providing cure for allergies; read more here.
Although this technique does not include massage, it does often use modalities within the industry to complement the service and it has proven to be a very powerful approach to relieving certain health concerns.
neurodermatitis – skin condition consisting of brownish, tough, leathery textured skin brought on by constant itching and scratching of the area
neuromuscular therapy – is considered to be the most effective application for lower back pain, especially that which is caused by soft tissue injuries such as a muscle strain, and is applied via alternating levels of concentrated pressure during a therapeutic massage
neuropathy – a condition generally referred to as peripheral neuropathy that results from a collection of disorders where the nervous system (not within the brain and spinal cord) is damaged via traumatic injuries, illness, certain diseases, infections, and exposure to toxins, commonly causing numbness of the hands and feet as well as possible pain that feels like a prickling, burning sensation
oriental medicine – Oriental medicine is a compilation of several different modalities and techniques derived originally from holistic healing methods developed in Asia, divided into categories consisting of: acupuncture and moxibustion, Asian bodywork, Chinese herbal medicine, Eastern dietary therapy and nutrition application and techniques applied to develop and manifest Qi.
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