Most Popular Types Of Massage and Their Benefits

There are many types of massage therapy, from Swedish and deep tissue to shiatsu. Whether you'd like to branch out a bit or have a health condition or injury, choosing a style of massage can be confusing if you're not quite sure what it involves. Here is a list of the most popular types of massage (including some that may be new to you).

❶ SWEDISH MASSAGE

➬ Known as a “classic massage” in many countries, the Swedish massage is the best known and most widely practiced type of massage therapy. There are a variety of techniques used in Swedish massage including circular pressure applied by the hands and palms, firm kneading, light tapping, and more.  

▶ The benefits of Swedish massage : 

➬ A Swedish massage is designed to relax the entire body by rubbing the muscles in long, gliding strokes in the direction of blood returning to the heart. But the benefits of Swedish massage go beyond relaxation. It can help increase the level of oxygen in the blood and improve circulation and flexibility. Talk to your therapist about incorporating elements of Swedish massage into your next session.

❷ Aromatherapy Massage

➬ Aromatherapy massage is Swedish massage therapy using massage oil or lotion that contains essential oils (highly concentrated plant oils).

   During an aromatherapy massage, you inhale these essential oil molecules or absorb them through your skin. They are thought to promote beneficial changes in your mind and body by affecting the limbic system, a region of the brain known to be involved in emotion.

▶ The benefits of Aromatherapy Massage : 

➬ There are many benefits to aromatherapy, many of which depend on the essential oil you choose. No matter the oil, aromatherapy enhances your massage experience by helping to align and balance your mind and body. Aromatherapy can help reduce pain and discomfort, relieve stress and anxiety and energize your body. Choose an essential oil that helps meet your specific needs at the time of your massage.

❸ Hot Stone Massage 대딸방

➬ Hot stone massage is a type of  massage therapy that involves the use of smooth, heated stones. The massage therapist places the hot stones on specific points on your body and may also hold the stones while giving the massage.

   The localized heat and weight of the stones warm and relax muscles, allowing the massage therapist to apply deeper pressure to those areas without causing discomfort.

▶ The benefits of Hot Stone Massage : 

➬ Each essential oil used in aromatherapy is said to have different properties. For example, some calm and make you feel relaxed while others energize.

❹ Deep Tissue Massage

➬ Deep tissue massage is a massage technique that’s mainly used to treat musculoskeletal issues, such as strains and sports injuries. It involves applying sustained pressure using slow, deep strokes to target the inner layers of your muscles and connective tissues. This helps to break up scar tissue that forms following an injury and reduce tension in muscle and tissue.

▶ The benefits of Deep Tissue Massage :

➬ Deep tissue massage offers both physical and psychological benefits. Unlike other massage techniques that focus on relaxation, deep tissue massage helps to treat muscle pain and improve stiffness. But it can still help to you unwind mentally, too.

❺ Shiatsu Massage

➬ Shiatsu is a type of massage therapy that was primarily developed in Japan. With its name derived from the Japanese term for "finger pressure," it involves applying pressure to specific points on the body, moving from one point to another in a rhythmic sequence.

▶ The benefits of Shiatsu Massage :

➬ Shiatsu massage is helpful for headacheand migrainerelief. Massaging specific reflexology points on the head opens energy meridians. The techniques are simple enough to be performed on oneself. Next time you have a headache, skip the painkillers and try some basic Shiatsu maneuvers instead.

❻ Thai Massage

➬ Thai massage, also known as Nuad Bo-Rarn in its traditional form, is a type of Oriental bodywork therapy that is based on the treatment of the human body, mind, and spirit. The therapy includes treating the electromagnetic or energetic field which surrounds, infuses and brings the body to life through pressure and/or manipulative massage.

▶ The benefits of Thai Massage :

➬ Thai massage has many benefits for the individual. It uses the gentle pressure on energy lines and the yoga-like stretching to relax the whole body on a deeper level. This deeper level of relaxation improves the individuals' personal outlook, and their emotional status. Deep relaxation has been shown to promote a deeper, more restorative night's sleep as well. This deeper sleep allows the body to heal itself physical, and let you feel more refreshed upon awakening. Thai massage helps to reduce the individual's stress levels and improve their overall circulation. This is accomplished by the gradual movement of the person through different yoga-like positions. This will enhance the persons' flexibility allowing for a greater range of motion. This greater range of motion and flexibility reduces muscle stress and strain, and helps to prevent trip and fall accidents.

❼ Pregnancy Massage

➬ Prenatal massage is therapeutic bodywork that focuses on the special needs of the mother-to-be as her body goes through the dramatic changes of pregnancy. It enhances the function of muscles and joints, improves circulation and general body tone, and relieves mental and physical fatigue.

▶ The benefits of Pregnancy Massage :

➬ Studies have found that moms-to-be can reap both mental and physical rewards from prenatal massage. In fact, massage is a common alternative therapy recommended by doctors for pregnant women. One reason: "Pregnancy does a number on your posture. It compresses your lower back, weakens your core, and places a lot of pressure on your legs and feet," says Abigail Dennis, M.D., an ob-gyn at the Family Childbirth and Children's Center at Mercy Hospital, in Baltimore. Find out the benefits (and differences) of prenatal massage -- and how to get a good one.

❽ Reflexology

➬ Reflexology is a type of massage that involves applying different amounts of pressure to the feet, hands, and ears. It’s based on a theory that these body parts are connected to certain organs and body systems. People who practice this technique are called reflexologists.

▶ The benefits of Reflexology :

➬ There’s one main reason why reflexology might positively impact sleep: Research has confirmed that reflexology switches on the parasympathetic nervous system, or the part of your nervous system that’s in charge of rest, digestion, and decreasing heart rate. Studies have shown that in general, reflexology has the power to decrease stress, anxiety, and arousal.

Quandt has seen these sleep-related foot reflexology benefits firsthand. “Reflexology may help people find better sleep thanks to the relaxing nature of the work," he says. "Like with massage, meditation, yoga, and sound healing, a session of reflexology will activate the parasympathetic nervous system, helping reduce anxiety and giving the receiver a sense of wellbeing and calm—all great ingredients for better sleep.”

❾ Sports Massage

➬ Sports massage is the specific application of massage techniques, hydrotherapy protocols, range of motion/flexibility protocol and strength-training principles utilized to achieve a specific goal when treating an athlete.

▶ The benefits of Sports Massage :

➬Reduction in muscle tension, muscular pain and discomfort

➬Increased range of motion, leading to enhanced performance.

➬Decreased muscle stiffness and soreness after exercise or physical activity

➬Reduced recovery time post injury

➬Increased levels of relaxation and reduction in physical and psychological stress levels

➬Aids sleep quantity and quality.