What are the types and the Health Benefits of Massage?

 9 Popular Types of Massage

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.

1. Swedish Massage Therapy

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.

2. Aromatherapy Massage

Aromatherapy is a specific type of therapy that incorporates the use of scented essential oils into a massage. The massage involves alternating between gentle and harder pressure while using a specific blend of essential oils. The essential oils are diluted before use and are applied along with lotion during the massage. Not only is the client's body benefiting with the direct contact with the essential oils, but the oils are alleged to have specific healing properties upon inhaling after exposure. Sometimes, therapists even go as far as having clients inhale the oils through a diffuser and not only through mild exposure.

The benefits of Aromatherapy Massage:

Aroma therapeutic massage not only has the client leaving with a full body massage, but they also allegedly provide emotional healing and relaxation. The benefits are on a long list that also include a few of the same benefits of any other massage. Below are a few of the general benefits of a massage that incorporates aromatherapy:

-Stress reducing

-Anxiety reliever

-Increased calmness and relaxation

-Decrease in muscle tension

-Pain relief

-A reduction of symptoms of depression

-Ease of pain from various conditions listed below:

-Fibromyalgia

-Chronic lower back pain

-Myofascial pain syndrome

-Arthritis

-Insomnia relief

-Temporomandibular joint dysfunction

-Peripheral neuropathy

-Polymyalgia rheumatica

-Premenstrual dysphoric disorder

-Premenstrual syndrome

-Rheumatoid arthritis

3. Hot Stone Massage

A hot stone massage is a type of massage therapy. It’s used to help you relax and ease tense muscles and damaged soft tissues throughout your body.

During a hot stone massage, smooth, flat, heated stones are placed on specific parts of your body. The stones are usually made of basalt, a type of volcanic rock that retains heat. According to the University of New Hampshire Health Services, hot massage stones are heated to between 130 and 145 degrees.

The stones may be placed:

along your spine

on your stomach

on your chest

on your face

on your palms

on your feet and toes

Massage therapists may hold heated stones as they massage your body using Swedish massage techniques such as:

long strokes

circular movements

vibration

tapping

kneading

Sometimes, cold stones are also used during a hot stone massage. Cold stones may be used after hot stones to calm any engorged blood vessels and to soothe the skin.

The benefits of Hot Stone Massage:

1. Helps relieve muscle tension and pain

2. Reduces stress and anxiety

3. Promotes sleep

4. May help relieve symptoms of autoimmune diseases

5. May help decrease cancer symptoms

6. May boost immunity

4. 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.

5. Shiatsu Massage

Shiatsu massage therapy relies on the use the fingers, thumbs and palm to apply pressure to various areas of the body’s surface to help heal common ailments and conditions, and correct imbalances in the body. Pressure applied to points on the body promotes energy flow and corrects disharmonies throughout the patient's body. In addition to being a deeply relaxing experience, Shiatsu helps relieve stress, treat pain and illness, and contributes to a patient's overall health and wellbeing.

The benefits of Shiatsu Massage:

-Restore and maintain the body’s energy, especially helpful to those suffering from fatigue and overall weakness

-Improves circulation

-Reduces stress and tension as well as anxiety and depression

-Relief from headaches

-Promotes healing from sprains and similar injuries

-Helps bring relief to arthritis sufferers

-Reduces problems with stiff neck and shoulders as well as backaches (including sciatica)

-Coughs, colds, and other sinus and respiratory problems

-Helps those dealing with insomnia

-Aids in treatment of such various things as digestive disorders, bowel trouble, morning sickness, and menstrual problems

6. Thai Massage

Thai massage is traditionally practiced on a firm mattress directly on the ground. Stretches are executed in tandem with the therapist much like a dance, with the exception that movements are controlled by the therapist and the client is completely passive. In this massage technique, pressure is applied to precise points on the body using the palms and thumbs. The therapist can also use his arms, forearms, elbows and feet. Through its pressure along energy lines, the 10 Sen lines, Thai massage favours the client’s wellbeing and frees his emotional tensions.

The benefits of Thai Massage:

-Lowers stress

-Boosts energy

-Relieves headaches

-Stimulates circulation

-Improves range of motion

7. Pregnancy Massage

Also known as prenatal massage, pregnancy massage is customized to an expectant mother's needs but is most often used to promote relaxation. Since many pregnant women suffer from lower back pain and swollen ankles especially in the later months, prenatal massage is a relatively safe, drug-free way to provide relief.

Massage therapists who have received specialized training and are certified in prenatal massage know how to position and support the woman's body during the massage, modify techniques, and avoid certain areas and techniques during pregnancy. Most will have a special table that allows the woman to rest comfortably and safely during the massage. Ideally, you should seek out a practitioner who is experienced and licensed in prenatal massage.

The benefits of Pregnancy Massage:

-Reduce Swelling

-Relieve Lower Back Pain

-Improve Sleep

-Prepare Your Body for Labor and Birth

-Relieve Pain Naturally

8. 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.

Reflexologists believe that applying pressure to these parts offers a range of health benefits.

The benefits of Reflexology:

-Relieves Pains and Aches

-Nerve Function

-Fights Anxiety and Depression

-Improves Circulation

-Makes Feet Healthier

-Relaxation and Better Sleep

-Reduces PMS and Menopause Symptoms

-Lowers Blood Pressure

-Cancer Relief

-Detoxification

9. Sports Massage

Think of a sports massage as the more focused sibling of a deep tissue massage. The two massages are similar – firm pressure, focusing on muscles and connective tissue deep within the body. But with a sports massage, your therapist may incorporate stretching and the session may be targeted to a specific area of the body.  

The benefits of Sports Massage:

-Relaxation

-Stress relief

-Improved circulation

-Reduced blood pressure

-Reduced muscle soreness

-Increased Lymph system activity

-Feel good

-Reduced injury time

-More movement

-Improve your performance

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