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What Type of Massage is For You?
There’s nothing quite like a massage to whisk you away from your stresses and make you feel like a pampered Princess for a day. But with so many different types of massage available, it can be hard to know which is best for you. Here is an overview the most popular types of massage:
Swedish is the most common type of massage offered in the United States. It involves the use of long, smooth massage strokes, circular movements and kneading on the outer layers of muscle. The massage therapist will use massage lotion or oil, so be prepared to get a bit oily. Swedish massage is fairly gentle and relaxing. If this will be your first massage, Swedish is a great style to begin with.
Deep tissue massage focuses upon deeper layers of connective tissue and muscles. It involves slower strokes as well as the use of “friction” techniques across the muscle grain. It can be effective for loosening chronically tight muscles, relaxing painful areas, helping posture problems and healing repetitive strain injuries. It can aid in recovery from injuries, however it is not as gentle and relaxing as a Swedish massage. Some people even feel sore for a couple of days after a deep tissue massage.
Smooth, warmed stones are placed on points around the body (usually the spine, back and joints) to warm them and loosen tight muscles. The stones also help to balance the body’s energy centers (chakras and meridians.) The therapist may hold the stones and/or press gently on them. The warmth from the stones has a therapeutic and grounding effect. This type of massage is a great for those who prefer a light touch.
Shiatsu refers to a kind of Japanese bodywork that uses targeted hand and finger pressure on acupuncture points and meridians in rhythmic sequences. Each acupoint is worked or held for several seconds to help improve the body’s flow of energy and promote balance. The amount of pressure used is firm, yet relaxing, and there is usually no soreness afterward as in deep tissue massage.
Like Shiatsu massage, Thai massage helps to align the body’s energies through the use of gentle pressure applied to specific meridian points. It also utilizes stretches and compressions. However, you don’t just lie in one places as in most massages; the therapist will move and stretch your body into different postures. Because of this, Thai massage has a more energizing effect than other types of massage. It helps to reduce stress as well as improve the body’s flexibility and range of motion.
Aromatherapy massage includes the use of one or more essential oils to address specific conditions or needs. (See our recent post, “All About Aromatherapy.”) Essential oils can be relaxing, de-stressing, energizing and/or balancing. Lavender is one of the most common scents used.
Reflexology is sometimes called foot massage. Although it is very relaxing to the feet, there is more to it than that. In reflexology, pressure is applied to specific points on the feet that correspond with organs, glands and systems in the body, helping to regulate and balance them.
Sports massage caters to athletes and active persons who are regularly involved in physical activity. The focus isn’t on relaxation as much as it is treating and preventing and injury while enhancing the athlete’s performance. The strokes tend to be faster and deeper than Swedish massage. Facilitated stretching helps loosen muscles and promote flexibility.
9. Prenatal (Pregnancy) Massage
Massage therapists certified in pregnancy massage know the proper way to position an expectant mother, modify techniques and support her body during the massage. Prenatal massage can help to reduce stress, relieve aches and pains, decrease swelling and alleviate anxiety and depression.
Lomi lomi is a Hawaiian full body massage treatment that features long, flowing strokes from head to toe. Continuous, rhythmic movement is used on both the both the top and underside of the body. The massage is done in a spirit of “aloha,” honoring the mind-body-spirit connection.