Table 4

Massage techniques emphasized during visits to massage therapists licensed in Connecticut (1999) and Washington (1998)

Connecticut

Washington

(N = 965 visits)

(N = 1040 visits)

Techniques Emphasized

Percent Using

Any

99.4

99.9

Craniosacral

15.3

15.1

Deep Tissue

62.8

65.3

Emotional Bodywork

5.7

4.0

Energy Work

24.9

17.2

Guided Imagery

5.3

4.7

Hot/Cold Therapy

19.9

24.2

Manual Lymph Drainage

3.8

6.3

Movement Re-education

19.2

24.2

Neuromuscular Therapy

5.8

20.5

Oriental Bodywork

16.6

8.6

Pregnancy Massage

1.4

0.7

Reflexology

15.0

15.4

Somatherapy

1.2

5.0

Swedish Techniques

80.6

76.8

Trager

6.7

14.1

Trigger Point/Pressure Point

51.5

45.6

Other (e.g., Esalen, Thai)

7.1

4.2

Two or more techniques

86.7

92.5

Sherman et al. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2005 5:13   doi:10.1186/1472-6882-5-13