This is almost a trick question. By definition massage is a sensual experience. It is perceived through our senses. It makes you feel good. It is meant to be sensual.

Is there an easy definition of sensual and sexual massage?

The problem arises with the fact that most people do not clearly distinguish between sensuality and sexuality. The distinction is quite simple: Sexuality is sensuality with sexual intent, whereas sensuality by itself does not have to have any sexual intent.

I admit that it is often quite hard to draw a clear line between those two concepts. Therefore you can’t blame professional massage therapists for avoiding the issue and just distancing themselves from the entire problem by siding with professional, clinical and scientific concepts.

While that keeps us in safe territory, it also denies or downplays the fact that massage is a sensual experience. Most of our clients do want to experience this aspect, the enjoyment of being touched. So we end up with a dichotomy.

I understand my colleague’s reservations about the sensual aspects of massage. As far as I am concerned, I have decided to live up to my truth in my professional practice. I love to receive massage that feels sensual, and my clients love it too.

When the therapist is totally clear in his or her mind about the distinction between the sensuality versus the sexuality in massage, then in my experience it will never be an issue for the client either. Our clients trust us when we are clear, clean, strong and transparent. Therapists who are fearful of misperceptions are more likely to encounter clients who reflect that, since that is part of their energy and that is what they send out to their clients.

Can sensual massage be professional? Maybe I should rephrase the question: How can professional and high quality massage not be sensual?

` Adapted from http://www.thaihealingmassage.com

Swedish – There are four strokes in Swedish massage: effleurage, petrissage, friction and tapotement. Effleurage is the long flowing strokes, petrissage is the kneading strokes, friction is used to generate heat and bring blood to the surface, and tapotement is the hitting type strokes. The aim of a Swedish massage is to relax the tissues of the body, relieve stress and improve circulation. Most all Massage Therapists incorporate deep tissue work where needed, with their Swedish massage.

Esalen – This modality involves long, nurturing strokes along the entire length of the body. At the Esalen institute, where this modality was initially developed, both the student receiving the massage and the student giving the massage were naked.

Sensual – A sensual massage is a massage that is pleasing to the senses. NOT to be confused with a SEXUAL MASSAGE.

Reflexology ( foot massage ) – A reflexology massage involves the therapist massaging various areas of the feet to promote health in various areas of the body. In general, the big toe represents the top part of the body (the head), the bottom of the heal represents the lower part of the body and the middle part of the foot represents the middle parts of the body.

Tantric – A Tantric massage usually involves sacred sexuality and was brought to the United States from India. Tantra doesn’t always involve the expression of sexuality (sexual activity), but usually involves sexuality indirectly.

Thai – A Thai massage involves a lot of stretching of muscles and balancing the positive and negative energies in the body (Yin & Yang).

Full body – A full body massage is nothing more than massaging the entire body. Many therapists leave parts of the body out, such as the buttocks, face, scalp, chest or abdomen. The effects of a full body massage will last much longer than a partial massage. This is because, in a partial massage, the tension in the part of the body that wasn’t massaged will work it’s way into the parts of the body that were massaged. A full body massage does not include massage of the genitals and usually not the breasts.

Deep tissue – A deep tissue massage simply means the therapist is massaging deeply into the tissues of the body.

Sports – A sports massage isn’t very strictly defined. Any modality that works well for an athlete will work well for someone who’s not an athlete. The techniques used in sports massage are the techniques that work well on someone who has just performed an athletic event. Also, it can be techniques used to prepare a person for activity before an event. One example of a sports massage technique is a boxer getting his arm shaken by his trainer in between rounds. A sports massage uses many of the same techniques as Swedish massage, except that the person is dressed and no oil or lotion is used. Many people request a sports massage, because they think it will help them become athletic. This is false. Most modalities of massage help with fitness as much or more than sports massage, especially Swedish.

Tandem – A tandem massage is two Massage Therapists massaging one client at the same time.

Shiatsu – Shiatsu means finger pressure and is a Japanese form of acupressure. A Shiatsu treatment involves balancing the meridians of the body by pressing and holding certain points for 2 to 3 minutes each. Meridians are energy channels through which chi (energy) flows through the body.

Aromatherapy – An aromatherapy massage involves incorporating scents from plants (essential oils) into the massage. Different scents are supposed to trigger different areas of the brain to allow healing of various conditions. Most of these conditions are psychological. Certain scents relieve anxiety, some relieve depression, others have a calming effect. So basically, they all are supposed to elevate mood (just different kinds of mood). Some people have claimed that certain essential oils will help with certain medical conditions. For example, rosemary oil is supposed to help with rheumatoid arthritis. I believe in the elevation effect, but I’m not so sure about the rest. Since stress either causes or aggravates nearly all medical conditions, I think it’s great to use essential oils.

Acupressure – Acupressure uses pressure in points of energy flow. Pressure at these points is supposed to balance energy in the body (Chi). The points are very close to acupuncture points and in reality probably are the same points.

~ Adapted from http://www.sandiegomasseurs.com