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Glossary of Terminology

The Glossary of Terminology contains definitions of terms and phrases frequently used in the world of Natural Therapies.

Using the Glossary

To begin browsing the glossary, click on a letter of the alphabet below.

A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z

A

Acupressure
Traditional Chinese method of applying pressure and massage to specific "energy points" on the body to relieve tension.

Acupuncture
Stimulation of specific "energy points" on the body by the insertion of small, fine needles. Acupuncture is an alternative treatment commonly used to relieve pain.

Alexander Technique
An approach of re-educating the body so that it is in correct alignment and unites the mind-body relationship.

Alpine wellness
Also known as mountain wellness. This is the participation in outdoor activities in mountain areas as a way to promote harmony with nature and an overall feeling of well-being. Alpine wellness often includes spa treatments at popular mountain resorts like in Switzerland and Austria.

Aromatherapy
The use of various fragrant plant-based oils in massages, facials, wraps, and/or bath soaks to stimulate the senses and provide therapeutic healing for specific ailments.

Ayurveda
In Sanskrit, means "the science of life." Ayurveda is a 4,000-year-old system of traditional Indian medicine based on the belief that the body is comprised of five basic elements: air, water, fire, space, and earth. Ayurveda balances these elements through the combination of massage, essential oils, herbs, and meditation. In Kerala, India—renowned for its ayurvedic centres (shalas)—ayurveda is the region's official state-supported system of healthcare.

B

Balinese massage
Rooted in the healing traditions of Bali, Indonesia, this type of massage uses kneading and rolling actions followed by an application of spiced coconut oil.

Bowen
Targets muscle and connective tissue, good for knee and back injuries as well as R.S.I. Useful for long term complaints.

Buddhist (Zen) meditation
A type of meditation in which practitioners remain completely aware in the present moment in order to free themselves of the anxieties and worries produced by the active and/or distracted mind.

C

Chiropractic
The non invasive discipline that deal with the relationship between the nervous system, the spinal cord and other body systems. A healing art designed to relieve human ailments by manipulation and adjustment of the spine by hand.

Colour Therapy
The use of colour to assist with the treatment of well-being.

Complementary Therapy
A therapy that can be used in combination with other therapies.

Craniosacral therapy
A specialised technique of applying gentle pressure to cranial bones of the skull to relieve headaches, sinus pain, back pain, and other related ailments.

D

Day spa
Offers professional services and signature treatments provided by licensed aestheticians and therapists, which usually include massage, body and face treatments, professional spa products, and nutritional/weight counselling.

Destination spa
A general term for resort spa or wellness centre that visitors travel to and attend for an extended period of time.

Distal
Situated away from the point of origin of a limb or a bone.

Draping
The procedure/s of covering and uncovering areas of a client's body during massage.

E

Effleurage
One of the principal movements of massage, wehreby the palms of both hands are used as you glide over the surface of the skin.

Essential Oil
An aromatic, therapeutic natural extract taken from the glands in flowers, seeds, leaves, gum, bark, or the roots of plants.

Ethics
The values, standards, morals and principles governing a discipline that are deemed to provide responsible, fair and proper conduct.

F

Facial
A popular spa service, this treatment is meant to rejuvenate facial skin through cleansing, toning, exfoliation of dead cells, and massage of facial muscles.

Friction
A circular massage stroke that normally uses the balls of the thumbs (fingertips, knuckles or even elbows may be used). The muscle is moved against the bone by small circular movements of the balls of the thumbs.

H

Hatha yoga The most common branch of yoga practiced in the United States. Hatha is derived from the Sanskrit words for sun (Ha) and moon (tha), which suggests the goals of balance and harmony between opposites. There are many subtypes of Hatha yoga, such as Ashtanga Vinyasa, Kripalu, Bikram, Iyengar, and Sivananda, which are based on the teachings of influential yogi (yoga masters).

Herbalism
The use of plant extracts or herbal therapy for the treatment of human diseases.

Homoeopathy
A branch of medicine based on the principle that "like cures like".

Holistic medicine
From "holistic," meaning "whole". An alternative form of medicine that seeks to balance the close connections between mind and body.

Hydrotherapy
The use of water to achieve therapeutic benefit and relaxation. Hydrotherapy can include jet massages, steam baths, mineral springs, seawater soaks (see Thalassotherapy), and various types of shower experiences.

I

Inferior
Away from the head or toward the lower part of the structure.

Iatrogenic
An illness or sympton induced in a patient as a result of a physician's words or actions.

Iridology
A system of assessment used by many naturopaths which inspects the condition and lesions of the iris of both human eyes. It is a method used to access the conditions of many organs and other parts of the body. It must be used in conjunction with other methods of evaluation, including differential diagnosis. It is not a method of treatment or therapy.

J

Joint
The point at which two bones connect.

K

Kneading
A massage stroke also known as petrissage. This deep, powerful stroke involves picking up, rolling and wringing of the muscle.

Kneipp treatments/ Kneippism
Named for Father Sebastian Kneipp, a 19th-century German priest who pioneered the use of alternating hot and cold baths to cure various illnesses such as tuberculosis and cholera. Kneipp treatments (www.kneipp.com) are based on the use of plant and herb extracts, brisk exercise, and a moderate but healthy diet.  Bad Woerishofen, in Bavaria, is the site of Kneipp's original health clinic and a popular Kur town. See also Kur.

Kur/"the kur"
The German term for "cure" and/or "Taking the Waters." German Kur towns, such as Bad Woerishofen, Baden-Baden, and Bad Toelz, have centralised medical spas that are similar to American-style day spas.

L

Lateral
Further from the midline of the body or a structure.

Ligament
Fribrous tissue connecting bones or cartilage.

Liquid sound
A new form of hydrotherapy, popular in a number of German bath spas, which incorporates the use of music and laser lights.

Lomi-Lomi massage
A traditional Hawaiian method derived from the ancient Polynesians that incorporates long, continuous massage strokes. Traditional Hawaiian prayers and healing rituals are often part of the experience.

Lymphatic drainage massage
Gentle, wave-like massage of the face and neck that promotes drainage of toxins and waste from the body's intricate lymph system.

M

Massage
The ancient form of medical treatment using therapeutic touch of the promotion and maintenance of good health.

Medicine
The science of diagnosis, treatment, cure and prevention of disease - both mentally and physically in humans.

Medi-spa
A hybrid between a day spa and medical office. A medi-spa can operate within a doctor's office or it might employ the services of specialised physicians such as dermatologists, cosmetic surgeons, dentists, and chiropractors.

Mindfulness
A popular meditation method based on Buddhist principles and developed by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Mindfulness is a state of compassionate, non-judgmental awareness of the moment.

Mineral springs spa
A spa with onsite access to mineral-rich hot and cold springs or seawater for therapeutic soaking or drinking. Mineral springs spas are popular wellness destinations around the world.

N

Natural Therapy
A system of treating disease by stimulating the body's innate ability to repair and heal itself, without the use of drugs or surgery.

Naturopathy
A system of natural therapies which acknowledges and influences the inate healing protential of the body.

Nutrition
The most basic method of supporting the healing process with a sound diet and which may include fasting and hydrotherpay, abstenance of contaminated foods, and the selective use of vitamins, minerals and otehr supplements.

O

Onsen
A Japanese hot spring. Onsen are found all over Japan due to the geologic activity of the country's volcanoes. The onsen bathing ritual at many inns and resorts is an elaborate yet popular cultural activity among Japanese.

Osteopathy
A system of manipulating the spine and other joints and their surrounding soft tissues, to enhance nerve and blood supply activities and thereby improve back and other health problems.

P

Physiotherapy
The study and treament of disease by physical and mechanical means.

Podiatry
The discipline involving the examination, diagnosis and treatment of abnormal conditions of the hands and feet.

Posterior
Nearer to or at the back of the body.

Pregnancy massage
A special Swedish massage or acupressure treatment administered to a pregnant woman as she rests on her side.

Q

Qi Gong Energy massage
A Chinese holistic healing method that combines deep tissue massage with shiatsu, reflexology, and craniosacral therapy to relieve tense muscles, stimulate organs, and relax the mind.

R

Reflexology
An ancient healing method in which specific organs in the body are stimulated by applying pressure to corresponding reflex points in the feet and ankles.

Reiki
In Japanese, it means "universal life energy." Practiced around the world, Reiki is a hands-on alternative healing technique that involves the exchange of energy between practitioner and patient to restore mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual balance.

Remedial therapy
Is a generic term, which covers a number massage and exercise therapies. It does not involve the use of internal medicines.

Retreat
According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, "a period of group withdrawal for prayer, meditation, study, or instruction under a director." Popular retreats include yoga, meditation, spiritual, fasting (weight loss), and healing programs.

S

Shiatsu massage
A Japanese form of rigorous massage that uses fingers to apply acupressure to points along the body's energy pathways (meridians) in order to stimulate physical relaxation and reduce stress.

Shirodhara
An ayurvedic treatment in which a soothing hot oil is dripped onto the forehead and other energy (chakra) points of the head and neck to induce relaxation and mental clarity.

Spa
According to the International Spa Association, a spa facilitates "overall well-being through a variety of professional services that encourage the renewal of mind, body, and spirit."  Types of spas include: club spas, day spas, destination spas, medi-spas, and resort/hotel spas.

Sports massage
Deep tissue for major aches and sport injuries, using knuckles, elbows and fists.

Stone massage
The placement of heated flat, smooth stones on different muscles of the body to relieve tension and promote relaxation.

Swedish massage
A popular massage method that uses tapping, rolling, and vibration massage techniques with a soothing massage oil to relieve tension and improve circulation.

Superior
Towards the head or upper part of the structure

T

Tai Chi
A Chinese martial art that features slow, rhythmic movements, deep breathing, and concentration to condition the body and clarify the mind.

Taking the waters
The centuries-old act of bathing, soaking, or ingesting mineral-rich spring or seawater to cure a broad range of ailments, such as arthritis, rheumatism, and various aches and pains.

Tapotement
A series of strokes that strike (beating, cupping, hacking, slapping or chopping) in a repetitive action.

Tendon
A band of dense white connective tissue that connects a muscle with a bone.

Thai massage
An ancient method of massage from Thailand that involves a combination of yoga-like stretching, rocking, and acupressure applied to the body over loose-fitting clothing. Wat Pho, a historic temple complex in Bangkok's Old City quarter, and the northern city of Chiang Mai are home to massage schools.

Therapeutic touch
The act and relationship of touch with intent to help or to heal.

Therapy
Medical treatment - one of the component systems or methods of treatment of the natural therapy modalities.

Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine
Is a practice of utilising remedies of Chinese origin according to traditional philophy and custom.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
An ancient system of medicine estimated to date back to the third century B.C. TCM doctors often prescribe herb and mineral combinations to harmonize the body's five basic "elements": fire, wood, earth, metal, and water.

Traditional Medicine
Term used to designate indigenous systems of healing, often of great antiquity, which are distinct from and predate orthodox medicine. It is an alternative tern used for Natural Therapy.

V

Vibration
The massage technique made by the hands or fingers placed firmly against the body and then moved in a fine, tremulous movement.

W

Watsu
A warm underwater massage (Japanese Shiatsu) that applies acupressure to points along the body's energy pathways (meridians) in order to stimulate deep relaxation and reduce stress.

Wellness
The efficient balance of body, mind, and spirit - all working to provide the individual with an optimal quality of life.

Wellness center
A one-stop shop for wellness, natural therapy services and treatments. Wellness centers aim to nourish the body, mind, and spirit.

Y

Yoga
Rooted in ancient Indian philosophy, yoga uses various poses (asanas), breathing techniques, and meditation to achieve improved circulation, muscle tone, and spiritual/psychological well-being. There are six main branches of yoga: Hatha, Bhakti, Jnana, Karma, Raja, and Tantra. Yoga retreats and resorts can be found all over the world.