CANADIAN DEEP MUSCLE MASSAGE - This work was created by Will Green, founder of the International Massage Association (IMA Group) and owner of Georgetown Bodyworks in Washington, DC. It is derived from a system of cross-fibre massage that began in northern Canada in the 1940’s. Will added insights gained from the works of Therese Pfrimmer, Joseph Pilates, Ida Rolf, Dr. Samuel West, and Debra Smith. This technique begins gently and progresses deeply as the outer muscle fibers relax, allowing the second and third layer of muscle to be addressed.
CATHIODERMIE - Rejuvenating treatment for the skin that provides deep cleansing and oxygenation of outer tissue layers, removing impurities and stimulating regeneration. The treatment involves the use of galvanic and high-frequency currents from an electric machine to provide electric stimulation in a low-voltage dose.
CHAIR MASSAGE (ON-SITE, SEATED MASSAGE OR CORPORATE MASSAGE) - This refers to a brief bodywork session, usually a shiatsu-based routine, done in a special chair in which the client sits facing toward the cushions, exposing the scalp, shoulders, neck, back and hips. Sessions may last between five and thirty minutes. Originally pioneered as "on-site massage", a modality for the workplace, it has expanded into many other environments. Chair massage is now offered in storefronts, health food stores, airports, airplanes, health fairs, grand openings, sporting events, and other locations. It has therefore come to be called "chair massage" or "seated massage" instead of
"on-site." Because of the relatively low cost of a brief session, it is more affordable than the usual full-body massage. Because it is done fully clothed, it attracts some clients who would be too uncomfortable for table massage. Because it is done in locations where the client is already present, it is more convenient than table massage. For all these reasons, the practice of chair massage has grown so fast that many of the massage table companies report they are selling more on-site chairs than massage tables.
CHAMPISSAGE - Champissage is the modern Indian name for the Ayurvedic method of head massage, stimulating the circulation to the scalp and nourishing the hair roots. Originally, the technique only included the head. Today, however, this modality usually includes massage of the shoulders, upper arms and neck, and face and ears. Along with increased blood circulation, it also stimulates the movement of lymph, thus having a cleansing effect, as well as proving to be an invaluable technique for relief of eye strain, headaches, insomnia, lack of concentration and lethargy. Typically Ayurvedic oils are massaged into the scalp, however, this procedure can also be done without any oils or creams.
CHI NEI TSANG - In Chinese "chi" means energy and "nei tsang" means internal organs. Chi Nei Tsang was originally developed by Chinese Taoist monks to strengthen their bodies to carry the energy required to perform their spiritual practices. Chi Nei Tsang practitioners work mainly on the abdomen with a deep, soft and gentle touch to train internal organs to work more efficiently and to improve energy flow in the body.
CHINESE PEDIATRIC MASSAGE - Form of Tui na massage adapted to the special needs of children from birth to 12 years of age.
CHRISTOPHER METHOD - The Christopher Method Sound-Wave Energy Therapy was introduced in 1995 and is a non-touch therapy that works on the multiple energy fields of the body to reinforce and release energy, thereby contributing to balance and well-being on the emotional, psychological and physiological levels. It gradually realigns all levels of energy, which run through the body. Tiny sound-wave vibrations are passed through the practitioner's aura to the recipient's energy field where they resonate through each of the multiple fields of the body to clear blocked energy, restore and reinforce natural polarity, and align and reinforce proper energy flow.
CIRCULATORY MASSAGE - Compression techniques from the heart to the extremities to help the circulatory system.
COLON HYDROTHERAPY (COLONICS OR HIGH COLONICS OR COLONIC IRRIGATION) - A cleansing procedure for the colon, using purified water at controlled temperature and controlled pressure, providing a gentle, deep cleansing of the colon. Practitioners often use massage, reflexology or visceral manipulation skills during a session. Of the 50 states, only Florida licenses colon hydrotherapy.
COLORPUNCTURE - A system of holistic acu-light therapy developed by Peter Mandel in which different frequencies of visible light are applied onto the meridians where needles are typically placed during acupuncture. By using differing colors, energy can be manipulated, either to stimulate or sedate. Gentle, relaxing and non-invasive, colorpuncture is sometimes used as an alternative to acupuncture for children and adults uncomfortable with the use of needles.
COLOR THERAPY - Color therapy is a form of energy work based on the theory that light deprivation leads to dysfunction in the body. Since each color has its own frequency and vibration, specific colors are used to treat designated parts of the body. The body, in turn, responds to the vibrational pattern of the color and corrects the dysfunction.
COMPRESSIVE DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE - a myofascial release technique using the feet in a "walk around" the body with gentle slow deep compressions and acupressure to release pain, restrictions and tight muscles. The authors describe CDT as “grounded in Western science” and after three years of research have found it to be “ideal for deep-tissue massage, trigger-point therapy, and as a warm-up for sports and Swedish massage.”
CONSCIOUS BODYWORK - This form of neuromuscular reprogramming and therapy combines massage techniques with muscle testing in order to help people learn how to use their muscles with greater strength and less effort. Conscious bodywork is used to treat persistent joint and muscle pain and to treat restriction of movement caused by injury.
CONSCIOUS MASSAGE - The client tells the therapist what to do the whole time.
CONTINUUM - Developed by Emile Conrad based on her background in movement and dance. Continuum has been successful in working with paralysis and spinal cord injuries. Her system takes into account that the body is 80% water and has emerged from the undulating, watery environment of the embryo. From this she developed a method of movement based on the wave-like movement of the water flowing through our bodies. The method focuses on intrinsic felt movement, not imposed patterned movement. Using breath, movement, sound and meditation,  the participant is able to get in touch with their own cranial wave.
CORE BODYWORK - Evolved out of Rolfing. It is a multiphase educational process developed by George P. Kousaleos, who was a student of Bill Williams, who developed Soma. It starts with the outer layers of the myofacial tissue then concentrates on progressively deeper layers of connective tissue and muscles.
C.O.R.E MYOFASCIAL INTEGRATION - CORE Myofascial Integration is a myofascial therapy that works to achieve flexibility, efficient movement, and initiates body awareness and structural balance. This is done primarily through a technique called "myofascial spreading" in which sections of superficial fascia are carefully "spread apart" with either palms, fingers, knuckles or the back of the fist. This creates a heating effect (thixotrophy) on the superficial layers of tissue, which allows the therapist to gradually effect deeper tissues.
CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY (CRANIAL-SACRAL) - A technique for finding and correcting cerebral and spinal imbalances or blockages that may cause sensory, motor or intellectual dysfunction. Practitioners work with the subtle articulations of skull sutures, and the flow of cerebro-spinal fluid.
CRYOTHERAPY - Ice therapy; involves the application of ice to the body with ice packs, ice blocks, or commercial gel packs, as well as immersion in ice water.
CRYSTLEDYNE THERAPY - Utilizing self-activated crystal stimulator, which creates an electrical stimulus when two crystals inside are forced together, this therapy stimulates acupuncture, acupressure and reflexology points on the body, releasing endorphins from the brain to help block pain receptors in afflicted areas and open circuits of the body.