Massage

Massage can be based on mechanical manipulation of body tissues and joints (western classical or medical massage) or massage can be based on touch (See Haptics, study of human touching behaviour).
Massage is the practice of touching or of applying structured or unstructured pressure, tension, motion, or vibration — manually or with mechanical aids — to the soft tissues of the body, including muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments, joints, lymphatic vessels, organs of the gastrointestinal system to achieve a beneficial response.
Massage Therapy is performed primarily by a professional Massage Therapist but is often used as a form of therapy by other Healthcare practitioners such as Chiropractors, Osteopaths and Physical Therapists.
Touch Therapy is performed by professional practitioners who study Bodywork (alternative medicine) as well as somatic psychotherapy (see Somatic Psychology) or by body-psychotherapists who have studied body work.
Massage usually involves touch with or without clothes but also can be applied to the energetic field around the body. Massage can be applied to parts of the body or successively to the whole body, to aid the process of injury healing, relieve psychological stress, manage pain, and improve circulation. When massage is used for its physiological, mental, and mechanical benefits, it is termed "therapeutic massage" or manipulative therapy.
In professional settings, massage involves the client being treated while lying on a massage table, sitting upright in a massage chair, or lying on a pad on the floor. Except for modalities such as Acupressure, Shiatsu, Tui Na, Thai Massage, or Barefoot Deep Tissue, the massage subject is generally unclothed or partially unclothed, also referred to as disrobed, and their body would be "draped" with towels or sheets. The practice of covering the parts of the body that are not being massaged is referred to as draping and its practice varies from one part of the world to another. In addition to making a professional statement and providing a boundary, draping helps keep the client warm which aids in the relaxation response. In some countries it is required that certain areas such as the genitals on both genders and the breast/nipple area on women be draped at all times. In the United States draping is a standard of the profession, while in other parts of the world, such as some parts of Europe, it is not practiced at all. In most forms of massage, the session begins with the client face up, referred to as supine, or face down, referred to as prone, for the first part of the session and then the client rolls over for the second half. Relaxation is necessary for benefits to be achieved.
History

Communication, Ethics, Boundaries
Good communication is essential to effective massage. The client and therapist should discuss the type of treatment expected: intention of the massage, areas to be massaged and to be avoided in full body massage, the amount of pressure that is comfortable, preferred techniques and how they affect the body. The client's medical history and current physical condition should also be discussed. This is called informed consent. Ref: (Fritz: Mosbys Fundamentals)

Regulation

Types of massage
There are a number of different types of massage. Some of these are: Relaxation Massage, Remedial Massage, Sports Massage, Partnermassage etc. The benefits vary from relaxing to energizing. Applications vary from massage for athletes who need high performance for muscles to massages for relaxation or wellness to therapeutic medical massages and massages that aim at providing better self-contact, enhance the body image and provide integration (touch therapies).

Massage Methods (alphabetical order)

Anma - Traditional Japanese Massage
For more details on this topic, see Nihon Kaifuku Anma.
Introduced to Japan about 1300 years ago. Shiatsu massage grew out of this rich tradition. Anma is deep tissue work using no oils and is based on kneading movements.

Ayurvedic Abhyanga Massage
Ayurveda is a natural health care system originating in ancient India over 5000 years ago. It incorporates massage therapies, yoga, meditation and natural herbal remedies. Ayurvedic Massage, also known as Abhyanga is usually performed by two therapists working in harmony, using a heated blend of specially selected herbal oils. Ayurveda aims to help healing by re-establishing balance between mind, body and sprit.

Barefoot Deep Tissue
Barefoot Deep Tissue is a blend of Eastern barefoot techniques with Western manual medicine. Clients are typically loosely clothed and lain on floor mat in supine, prone and side-lying positions with pillows or bolsters. No oil is used. Sessions may last 2 minutes or well over an hour. Because the therapist can apply a broad range of pressure with ease and does not have to strain, more effort and concentration can be used to sense and manipulate tissue, release fascia, as well as search for and attack trigger points and other problems, regardless of client's size or build. John Harris, the proceleusmatic mentor who worked in the 1984 Olympics and developed this modality, states that the combination offers a potent new tool for powerfully satisfying, effective deep tissue massage and Trigger point work regardless of client's size or build. Mr. Harris and Fred Kenyon wrote Fix Pain in 2002, and have been hired by Human Kinetics to write a trade publication with DVD for elite athletes.

Bowen therapy
For more details on this topic, see Bowen Technique.
Bowen Technique involves a rolling type movement over fascia, muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints.

Cachunga Massage - Traditional Persian Massage
Traditional Persian Massage Cachunga/Ka-khn-ga (Pronunciation) Introduced to the Achaemenid Empire of ancient Persia by Darius the 3rd. This is a massage that primarily focuses on the breasts (muscle and lymphatic tissue) of females. Cachunga is a deep tissue massage used with oil. It is based on a fondling motion, and is usually performed in the direction of the heart to promote circulation.

Chair massage
Chair massage, also known as corporate massage, can be a convenient method of massage therapy. A chair massage session typically lasts 10-25 minutes, and is performed while fully clothed. Chair massage promotes better circulation, muscle stimulation and stress relief. This form of massage reduces tension in the back, neck, shoulders, head, arms, hands, legs or feet, providing a deep relaxation effect.
Chair massages are also advantageous because chair massage practitioners will frequently make work- or housecalls. Chair massage can also be done in hotels, airports and convention centers. Certain chairs, invented for this specific purpose, massage the seated person robotically by means of motors which have been inserted within the body of the chair.

Chinese Tui Na massage (推拿)
For more details on this topic, see Tui Na.
Tui Na is a form of Chinese massage (按摩) that is similar to Zhi Ya, but focusing more on pushing, stretching and kneading the muscle.
Tui Na has fewer side effects than modern drug-based and chemical-based treatments. It has been used to treat or complement the treatment of many conditions; musculoskeletal disorders and chronic stress-related disorders of the digestive, respiratory, and reproductive systems.

Chinese Zhi Ya massage (指壓)
For more details on this topic, see Zhi Ya.
Zhi Ya is a form of Chinese massage based on acupressure. It is similar to Tui Na massage except it focuses more on pinching and pressing at acupressure points.

Cranio Sacral therapy (Bodywork)
For more details on this topic, see Craniosacral therapy.
CranioSacral Therapy is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the functioning of a physiological body system called the craniosacral system—comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. CranioSacral therapy is most often utilized to treat neurological disorders including ADHD, autism, and acute stress disorders.

Deep muscle therapy
Deep muscle therapy (created by Therese Pfrimmer), is a massage technique that focuses on using a very specific set of movements applied to all muscles and concentrating on all layers of the muscle that have become depleted of their regular blood and lymphatic flow. This technique aims to restore the circulation with its healing properties to the cellular level. Deep muscle therapy is widely used to treat the following ailments: carpal tunnel syndrome, neck and back pain, headaches, poor circulation, whiplash, and more.

Deep tissue massage
Deep tissue techniques are generally designed for more focused massage work. Working a specific joint, muscle or muscle group, the practitioner can access deeper layers of the soft tissue. Starting superficially and easing into the depth of the muscle slowly often allows more movement. This is the recommended approach in this modality since each person experiences pressure differently. If the pressure is applied too deeply or too quickly, the muscle may tighten to protect that area, and unnecessary damage or inflammation can be induced. Very little lubricant is used as the pressure doesn't travel much over the skin.
The most commonly used 'tools' during deep tissue massage may include, 3 and 6 fingers, reinforced fingers, knuckles, a flat elbow, opposing thumbs, the heel of the hand or foot, and the forearm. See also: Myofascial Release
Deep Tissue Massage is also used as alternative treatment for Parkinson's disease. One of the most common symptoms of Parkinson's is rigidity and stiffness of the limbs and trunk.

Erotic massage
For more details on this topic, see Erotic massage.
Erotic massage is a form of massage that includes the genitals and leads to sexual arousal and (sometimes) orgasm. Widely practiced by couples as part of lovemaking. Also sometimes practiced commercially, which may be illegal in some jurisdictions.

Esalen Massage
For more details on this topic, see Esalen Massage.
The basis of Esalen Massage is traditional massage, which works in a very precise manner on the muscle and circulation systems. This is combined with the bodywork approach developed by Charlotte Selver, which emphasizes the deeply relaxing and emotional responses of the body when a conscious, structured and pleasant touch is applied. In addition, gentle rocking of the body, passive joint exercises and deep structural work on the muscles and joints, together with an energetic balancing of the body, “experience”.

Fur massage
For more details on this topic, see Fur massage.

Indian Head Massage
For more details on this topic, see Champissage.
The art of Indian Head Massage is an Ayurvedic form of healing and relaxation which is used widely in Asia to relieve tension and stress. The technique has been passed down through families for generations. The Indian Head Massage is said to soothe and harmonize the body's natural balance, helping to promote physical and psychological wellbeing. Ref: (Mehta, Narendra)

Lomilomi — Traditional Hawaiian Massage
For more details on this topic, see Lomilomi massage.
Lomilomi massage is an ancient art from the Hawaiian healing specialists. They were taught their art over 20 years and received their last instructions from their master on his death bed. There are hundreds of styles of Lomilomi, the main ones being the style of Big Island which was passed on by Aunty Margaret Machado, and Maui style from Uncle Kalua Kaiahua. This is the kind of massage that is practiced in the film "Meet the Fockers." On the island of Kaua'i, Kahu Abraham passed on (especially to Europeans) Romi Kapa Rere, part of Kahuna Bodywork, which is related to hawaiian Lua (martial arts). It is not clear if other current practices — so called temple style, Lomi Lomi, lomi lomi nui and others— which are variations of Romi Kapa Rere are to be related to Native Hawaiian practitioners or are modern adaptations. Ref: (Kahalewai 2005)and (Chai 2005)

Maalish
Also called 'champi', a rough form of massage practiced in India and Pakistan done all over the body, particularly shoulders, the head, arms and thighs. It is normally done by applying oil over the body or the hands. It requires great effort to perform and relives one of physical and mental stress and can last for a very long time.
It is often performed by the barber after a haircut on the head, shoulders and neck.