Massage Categories
General rules
- You may participate in as many categories as you want.
- You must make a different video for each category.
- You will receive ranking points in every category.
Categories 2022
- FLOW – Relaxing Classic / Swedish Massage
- DEEP – Medical / Deep Tissue Massage
- SPA – Face or Body Massage using products and tools
- NUAD – Traditional Thai Massage
- FREESTYLE – Do whatever you want – Look awesome!
Category: “Flow”
Relaxing Classic / Swedish Massage
This is the foundation of all professional massage, and should always be a part of a massage treatment.
Goals
Increase blood circulation, reduce activity in the nervous system, decrease muscle tension, balance the hormone system, reduce stress, increase body awareness and well-being.
Relevant techniques
Stroking (Effleurage), kneading (Petrissage), friction, rolling, compression, vibration (tapping/percussion), soft stretching.
Tools
Hands only – no tools allowed. Neutral oil or cream on the skin.
Evaluation
The main focus of the treatment should be to maintain a steady, rythmic flow, while maintaining solid ergonomy and client contact.
Category: “Deep”
Medical / Deep Tissue Massage
This is the advanced category for treatment of specific client problems.
Goals
The treatment must aim to solve a specific problem in the Hip or Shoulder area. Testing and diagnosis must be shown and explained before the treatment.
NOTE! All models must be healthy. Diagnosis should be examples, not real!
Relevant techinques
Deep Tissue Massage, MET-stretching (muscular energetic techniques), triggerpoint treatment, positional release, strain-counterstrain, myofascial release, Rolfing/structural integration, neuromuscular techniques, joint mobilisation.
NOTE! No intentional joint manipulation (“cracking”).
Remember: This is a massage competition. Your treatment must be based on that (including Classic / Swedish massage), and not only use advanced medical techniques.
Tools
Hands only – no tools allowed. Neutral oil or cream on the skin if needed.
Evaluation
The main focus of the treatment should be to identify a specific problem in the hip or shoulder area, showing solid testing and diagnosis, and then solving the problem using relevant advanced massage techniques.
NOTE! Since the client must be healthy, we don’t want any demonstration of results or evaluation of the client after the treatment!
Category: “Spa”
Face or Body Massage using products and tools
This category is for spa professionals who blend relaxing massage with different oils, tools and skin treatments.
Goals
Increase blood and lymph circulation in the superficial tissue, decrease muscle tension, increase well-being, induce a feeling of luxury and pampering.
Relevant techniques
All kinds of massage, aromatherapy, hot stones, bamboo sticks, body scrub and almost anything you can think of.
Remember: This is a massage competition. Your treatment must be based on that (including Classic / Swedish massage), and not only use soft skin techniques.
Tools
All manual tools allowed (no electric). No acupunture, injections or other skin penetrating techinques.
All kinds of oils, creams and other mild skin products. No acid or other chemical peeling.
Evaluation
The treatment should focus on an aesthetically attractive presentation, while maintaining solid massage techniques. Flow and client contact is important, as well as the design of the room, tools, work clothes, personal style etc.
Category: “Nuad”
Traditional Thai Massage
This category blends all the techniques from the rich Thai massage tradition. Traditional Thai Massage is recognized by UNESCO as part of the world’s cultural heritage.
Goals
Release and balance the energy flow, improve flexibility, reduce muscle tension, increase circulation, reduce pain, stimulate the body’s self-healing systems.
Relevant techniques
Chiang Mai style, Wat Pho style, Royal Thai style, Warrior style.
NOTE! No intentional joint manipulation (“cracking”).
Tools
No oil or tools allowed. Hands, elbows, knees, feet and other body parts may be used.
NOTE! Clients must be fully clothed throughout the session.
Evaluation
The treatment should focus on solid ergonomy and efficiency of movement, since Thai massage may be quite hard for the therapist. Flow and smooth transition between positions is also important.
NOTE! All clients must be healthy.
Category: “Freestyle”
Do whatever you want – Look awesome!
In this category you may use any massage techniques combined with any tools.
Goals
The physiological goals are completely up to you. Entertainment value, creativity and personal style is highly appreciated.
Relevant techniques
Anything related to massage / bodywork. NOTE! No intentional joint manipulation (“cracking”).
Tools
All tools allowed (also electric). No acupunture, dry needling or other skin penetrating techinques.
Evaluation
The treatment should be visually interesting and impressive, as well as containing creative ways of using techniques or tools. The main point is to show off your special “Signature Massage”.
Of course, it must also be enjoyable and valuable for the client, and have therapeutic relevance.