A western term for a form of Chinese therapy referring to specific places (accupoints)  along the body’s energy channels, also accupuncture points.

A therapy designed to improve movement efficiency and wellness.

Informal stories, not rigorously analyzed.

The addition of essential oils to Swedish or other type of massage to incorporate the healing characters of the chosen oils.

To waste away, especially as a result of the degeneration of cells, or become vestigial during evolution.

A system of soft tissue work based on traditional theories of health and disease from India.  

A system of traditional theories of health and disease from India.

Research done in a controlled laboratory setting, using nonhuman species. Often conducted to examine cellular or molecular changes.

Influence or prejudice in a particular direction; any threat to objectivity.

Healing methods working with the physical body that also influence general health and wellness.

A large group of therapies that involve working with the human body in a form involving manipulative therapy, breath work, or energy medicine.  Bodywork includes therapies like Reiki, cupping, acupuncture, Thai massage, meditation, Shiatsu, and forms of traditional massage therapy.

A detailed, rigorous observation and discussion of the effects of a treatment or a condition in one patient or client.

A collection of similar case reports (usually four or more) with a unifying component such as a treatment approach or condition.

Made up by the brain and spinal cord.

Neck region of the spine.

Uses skeletal and joint adjustments and alignment and soft tissue work to relieve pain and other issue.

Complementary and integrative medicine.

Research that looks at safety, efficacy, and effectiveness of interventions in human subjects.

A study that compares one intervention to at least one other that is recognized as effective, with the purpose of determining which is best; can also involve combinations of interventions and other permutations.

Something that interferes with or confuses the connection between the treatment and the outcome.

Tissues that make up bone, cartilage, fat, blood and lymph.

A group of subjects who do not receive the treatment being studied.

Uses gentle touch to manipulate the joints of the skull, pelvis and spine to relieve pain, dysfunction and improve overall health. Often used as a preventive measure to prevent disease.  

A research study in which each subject is examined under at least two conditions, for instance, while receiving a series of massage sessions and while receiving no massage.

Use of slow strokes, and deeper pressure applied with forearms, elbows, thumbs or fingers to release deep muscles tension, chronic pain, and restore movement. Often combined with other forms of MT. Typically done without skin lubrication.

Muscle pain that begins after you’ve worked out. It normally starts a day or two after a workout. You won’t feel DOMS during a workout. Pain felt during or immediately after a workout is a different kind of muscle soreness. It’s called acute muscle soreness.

A study whose results are reported without statistical testing.

Neither the participants nor the scientists collecting or processing the data know which participants are in the intervention arm and which are in the control arm of a study.

A study that examines whether an intervention is effective in an environment that is similar to or is a real-life setting.

A study that examines whether an intervention is effective in a controlled environment that may use randomization, blinding, strict inclusion criteria, specific protocols with the interventions, and precise, objective measures.

Western massage technique that moves across the skin (gliding) in a smooth continuous motion.  Typically done with skin luberication. 

Evidence based on practical experimentation and observation, rather than on theory or logic.

A type of qualitative research in which investigators immerse themselves in a real-life environment to collect observed data.

A small project that examines certain aspects of research design to determine the extent to which they may be practical in a full-scale research study.

An exercise therapy used to work with musculoskeletal issues and improve body-mind connections.

A form of massage stroke where a part of the body (fingers/elbow) moves over the body location without moving across the skin, moving the tissues underneath (types include deep, transverse, Cyriax).

Artificially induced reflex arc that helps you look at spinal cord function.

Healthcare approaches that take into account the whole being (mind, body, spirit).

A regulatory substance produced in an organism and transported in tissue fluids such as blood or sap to stimulate specific cells or tissues into action.

The addition of heated stones to a Swedish massage for warmth and relaxation.

The use of water in different forms for therapeutic effect (ice, heat, sauna, stream, whirlpool).

A supposition or proposed explanation/outcome made on the basis of evidence as the starting point for further research.

ExperimentAlso called independent ethics committee or ethical review board: a formal committee that oversees the ethical considerations of human experimentation.

Therapies or medical treatments that are not a part of western or ‘mainstream’ medicine. Also called alternative medicine. Examples include acupuncture, massage therapy, herbal medicine.

Muscular action in which tension is developed using constant rate of movement (constant speed).

Muscular action in which tension is developed without contraction of the muscle (constant length).

Muscular action in which tension is developed using constant rate of pressure (constant pressure).

Srtong fibrous collagen tissue that attaches bone to bone.

A scale in which a patient or subject in a study indicates a level of agreement with statements that are arranged in order from more to less strong or vice versa.

Region of the body associated with the lower back.

Specialized technique using very light, superficial pressure and circular movements to stimulate movement of lymph. Often done with cancer patients.

A network of tissues and organs that help rid the body of toxins, waste and other unwanted materials. The primary function of the lymphatic system is to transport lymph, a fluid containing infection-fighting white blood cells, throughout the body.

White blood cells.

Healing methods applied with the practitioners hands or moving the recipient’s body.

The systematic manipulation of the soft tissues of the body to enhance health and wellness.

General term for massage practices specifically designed to enhance health. The profession of massage therapy (or a massage therapist) is the licensed, certified practice of the profession of massage. 

A study that examines the exact route by which an intervention produces an effect.

A method of statistical analysis that combines results from multiple similar trials. Meta-analyses are considered to provide the most rigorous possible conclusions about an intervention.

The relationship between the mind, physical body, and emotions in health, disease and wellness.

A study that collects and combines quantitative and qualitative data.

Nerve cells that connect the central nervous system to the muscles (glands or other organs as well).

Uses subtle work to mobilize joints and relax muscles through active contractions and movement.

Uses sustained pressure and stretching of body tissue working with the fascial lines/planes of the body to release chronic tension, pain and movement restrictions. Pressure is typically moderate to deep, and done without lubrication.

Used to assess, treat and prevent soft-tissue injuries and chronic pain through the release of trigger points.  

A default position that one cannot assume a cause and effect relationship exists between observed phenomena; the null hypothesis suggests that no difference will be seen between a control group and an intervention group.

A study in which the investigator passively observes what happens in various circumstances, but does not try to influence those circumstances.

Posterior portion of the skull.

Massage to reduce stress, pain, anxiety, nausea, and fatigue associated with cancer and treatment or history of cancer. Special training required.

Calculated probability that a result is linked to an intervention, and not to random chance.

Massage designed to reduce stress, pain, anxiety, and fatigue and other symptoms associated with long term illness, treatment disease or dying.

Connects the CNS to the organs, limbs and skin.

An initial look at a hypothesis; pilot studies are typically small in scale and designed to determine whether a larger more robust study is justified.

Done in a series of sessions used to release fascia layers and involves working with the emotions.

A practice-based research network is a group of practices devoted principally to the care of patients and affiliated for the purpose of examining the health care processes that occur in practices. PBRNs are characterized by an organizational framework that transcends a single practice or study.

Practice of breath control usually combined with yoga.

Special massage (similar to Swedish) designed to safely reduce the discomforts of pregnancy and help post-partum recovery. Specially designed tables or bolsters help the patient be comfortable during treatment. Specific points or areas of the body and some oils are avoided.

A small project that tests whether a principle or idea has potential to be useful in a larger scale project.

A form of body-posture and movement therapy that uses breathing and mediation to improve wellness.

Studies in which data reflect qualities, or descriptive observation properties, rather than objectively defined measures. Qualitative research often includes semi-structured interviews and openended questions.

Studies in which specific, objective, precise measures are collected and reported such as temperature, angles, units of time.

Using chance to determine the assignment of subjects to a group in a study. The purpose of randomization is to reduce the risk of bias.

Studies in which most, if not all, aspects of the design are controlled for bias, using randomization and control groups. Originally developed to test pharmaceutical interventions, RCTs are often considered the “gold standard” in research, but this design tends to be problematic for research about massage therapy and other patient-centered disciplines like nursing.

Movement around a specific joint or body part. Patients can have reduce ROM or excessive ROM, either may lead to pain or injury.

A type of bodywork that uses gentle/firm pressure on reflex areas of the hand/feet or ears that map to specific areas of the body.

An energy healing technique using the palms of the hands.

The repeatability of a set of research findings.

A form of structural integration administered in 10 sessions of deep body work to re-align body tissues and improve functioning.

Something that appears to be an active treatment, but doesn’t include the components that are meant to make it work.

A form of Japanese bodywork that works with the energy systems of the body similar to acupuncture and reflexology using pulsing or rhythmic pressure.

Designed for relaxation, may be combined with other spa treatments (facials, body scrub, etc.) (Compare to medical massage).

Used pre-event, during or post-athletic events.  Also coordinated with physical training to improve recovery and reduce overuse pain/injury. Done with or without skin lubrication.

Movement of the body to increase flexibility and improve range of motion. Several different types of stretching can be used.

Characterized by kneading, long strokes, circular motions, vibration, tapping, and passive joint movement/stretching techniques. Uses skin lubrication.

A careful narrative literature review focused on a research question with strict search and inclusion criteria.

Strong fibrous collagen tissue that attaches muscle to bone.

Uses a sequence of movements where the client is twisted and stretched along with application of pressure using the palms and fingers. Focuses on flexibility, circulation and energy levels. Often done clothed with no lubrication.

Is a non-contact energy therapy working with the energy fields of the body.

Region of the spine associated with the thorax and ribs.

A form of somatic education designed to release deeply ingrained muscle and mental patterns.

Studies intended to build on findings from bench research to develop interventions that are applicable for humans; sometimes called “bench to bedside” research.

Trigger points are areas/cords of tightness in muscles that cause pain (local or referred), numbness, tingling or decreased range of motion (movement). Pressure applied to these areas can cause resolution of the condition.  Typically done without lubrication or throughout other types of massage.

A judgment of how well a study reflects reality.

A judgment of how well a study does what it intends to do and whether the internal logic is sound.

A scale in which a patient or a subject reports a subjective experience along a continuum, provided by a 10-cm line.

The state of being in good health, or the pursuit of good health. Wellness areas may include spiratual, physical, emotional, intellectional, environmental, social, career. Finding balance in these seven areas.