Most massage is done by therapists who start by learning Swedish massage, and the movements Ling outlined. These strokes lend themselves to variations and combinations that therapists may refer to as friction, strumming and vibration. Massage therapists may enhance their skills by training in such areas as sports massage, shiatsu and other Asian techniques, reflexology and medical massage. Other specialties include working with elderly and terminally ill people. A post-event massage has to assure that already tired muscles aren't further taxed.
Medical massage is an area with even more exacting requirements.
At the University of Michigan's physical therapy clinic, for example, two therapists recently trained in a form of massage that aims to reduce lymphodema. Physical therapist Geeta Peethambaran says the therapy is used mostly for people who have had lymph nodes removed. There is loss of oxygen in the tissue and then that causes a delay in healing. We facilitate the lymph to get it back through existing channels and permanently teach the body to handle it again. But most people seeking a massage are looking for simple relaxation or relief from stress-induced aches or other minor pain.