Massage Glossary
Plain-English meanings of the massage and spa treatments you'll see on Dubai spa menus.
- Thai massage
- Thai massage is a traditional massage from Thailand done fully clothed on a floor mat, combining assisted yoga-like stretches, compression and…
- Swedish massage
- Swedish massage is a classic oil massage using long gliding strokes, kneading and circular movements to relax muscles and improve circulation;…
- Deep tissue massage
- Deep tissue massage uses slow, firm pressure to reach deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue, used for chronic tightness, knots and back…
- Hot stone massage
- Hot stone massage uses heated smooth basalt stones, placed on the body and used to massage, so warmth relaxes muscles more quickly.
- Moroccan bath
- A Moroccan bath is a hammam ritual of steam, black soap and a full-body scrub with a kessa glove, followed by a rinse and often a rhassoul clay…
- Hammam
- A hammam is a traditional Middle Eastern steam bath where you warm up, sweat, are scrubbed and washed; in Dubai spas the word is used for Moroccan…
- Kessa
- A kessa is a coarse exfoliating glove used in Moroccan and Turkish baths to scrub away dead skin after steam and black soap.
- Reflexology
- Reflexology is a massage technique applying pressure to specific points on the feet, hands or ears that are believed to correspond to organs…
- Shiatsu
- Shiatsu is a Japanese pressure massage using fingers, thumbs and palms along meridian lines, usually done clothed on a mat.
- Tuina
- Tuina is a Chinese therapeutic massage using pushing, rolling, kneading and acupressure along meridians, often combined with cupping.
- Cupping
- Cupping is a therapy where glass or silicone cups create suction on the skin to draw up muscle and increase blood flow; it can leave round marks…
- Abhyanga
- Abhyanga is an Ayurvedic full-body massage with generous warm herbal oil, using rhythmic strokes; it is the signature treatment of Kerala and…
- Shirodhara
- Shirodhara is an Ayurvedic treatment in which a steady stream of warm oil is poured over the forehead for deep relaxation.
- Hilot
- Hilot is a traditional Filipino healing massage using banana leaves, coconut oil and firm strokes to release tension.
- Balinese massage
- Balinese massage is an Indonesian full-body oil massage combining long strokes, acupressure, skin rolling and aromatherapy oils.
- Four-hand massage
- A four-hand massage is performed by two therapists at the same time with synchronised movements, for a more immersive and relaxing session.
- Sports massage
- Sports massage is a firm, targeted massage for active people, used before or after training to loosen muscles and speed recovery.
- Aromatherapy massage
- Aromatherapy massage is a gentle oil massage using blended essential oils chosen for relaxation, energy or sleep.
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