Top 10 Massage Techniques Explained

Top 10 Massage Techniques Explained

There are many sorts of massage, each with their own benefits to alleviate stress, pain or enhance general wellbeing. Massage is an ancient art with many variations counting on the country of origin. I explore a number of the foremost popular, explaining the treatment and their individual benefits.


Swedish Massage

Swedish massage, the foremost popular worldwide, is additionally referred to as 'Classic massage' and is that the foundation for many other sorts of Western massage. It involves using firm but gentle pressure to market relaxation, performing on areas of specific muscle tension. it's performed on bare skin using oils or lotions. The therapist uses their hands, forearms or elbows to control the superficial layers of the muscles. Swedish massage shortens recovery time from muscular strain by flushing the tissues of carboxylic acid, uric acid, and other metabolic wastes by increasing the extent of oxygen within the blood, it increases the speed body cells can eliminate their waste materials.

The five basic strokes of Swedish massage include:

Effleurage (sliding or gliding)
Petrissage (kneading)
Tapotement (rhythmic tapping)
Friction (cross fibre)
Vibration/shaking


Deep Tissue Massage

Deep Tissue Massage, because the name implies, focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue. Unlike Swedish massage, which is employed for relaxation, deep tissue massage focuses on a selected problem, such as chronic pain. It treats the animal tissue of the body instead of just the surface muscles. it's almost like Swedish massage but with slower movements and deeper pressure. Deep tissue massage helps to refresh and relax muscles, increasing the blood flow and thus the oxygen flow around the body. A deep tissue massage is extremely slow using long, flowing strokes to ease in and out of the muscle. The aim of deep tissue massage isn't to go away you feeling relaxed and blissful; rather, it helps to tackle particular physical, muscular problems to alleviate pain and restore normal movement.



Sports Massage

Sports massage was designed for athletes but are suitable for anyone with chronic pain, injury or range-of-motion problems. It focuses on the prevention and healing of injuries to muscles and tendons. Sports Massage differs from therapeutic massage therein it's a deeper sort of soft tissue massage using specific techniques to treat physically active individuals.

The different sorts of massage include Post-event - to bring body tissues to a normal state. Restorative - during training allows athletes to coach harder and minimise the chance of injury. Rehabilitative - aimed toward alleviating pain thanks to injury. A sports massage may be a good selection if you've got a selected problem sustained through sport. It stimulates circulation of blood and lymph fluids which allows for optimal metabolic exchanges, enhanced recovery after intense training, better performance and decreased onset of muscle soreness also as reduces the likelihood of injury.



Indian Head Massage

Popular in Asia Indian Head Massage has been shown to be good at relieving stress, insomnia, headaches, migraine, tension, and sinusitis. The West has caught on to its benefits using it as a fast de-stressing program.

Indian Head Massage may be a very relaxing treatment which, because the name suggests, focuses on massaging the top. Indian Head Massage (Champissage) also includes massage of the shoulders, upper arms, neck, scalp, face and ears. The treatment uses a variety of various movements including deep kneading and compression movements over the neck, shoulder and scalp areas. Performed sitting upright during a chair, it helps to clear the mind because it revitalizes and improves alertness and concentration levels, whilst improving joint mobility and adaptability within the neck and shoulders.



Reflexology Massage

Reflexology, also referred to as zone therapy, is predicated on the concept that there are "reflex" areas on the feet and hands that correspond to specific organs, glands, and other parts of the body. The underlying theory is that if pressure is applied to a selected reflex area, it affects the organ represented.

This seated treatment involves applying pressure to "Zone" areas on the feet and hands with specific thumb, finger and hand techniques without the utilization of oil or lotion. Reflexology stimulates internal organs, boosts circulation and may restore bodily functions to normal. Reflexology promotes healing by stimulating the foot, which increases the flow of important energy to varied parts of the body also as releases endorphins (the body's natural pain killers)



Hot Stone Massage

A hot stone massage may be a full body treatment that uses smooth flat water-heated stones placed along each side of the spine (the chakra centres). The aim is to relax muscles and relieve tension very quickly. Differently weighted stones are used for various amounts of pressure.

Hot stone massage combines the proven benefits of Swedish massage with the deep heat and pressure provided by using warm basalt stones and soothing oils to relax the muscles, allowing a deeper and more intense all-over massage. The stones are used as tools to deliver effective tissue and muscle massage at the light, medium or deep pressure levels within the treatment of sore muscles, back pain, stress and other common ailments. Benefits include the restoration of the body's natural balance, deep muscle relaxation, improved circulation and therefore the sensation of everywhere comfort and heat.



Shiatsu Massage

Shiatsu massage may be a traditional hands-on therapy originating in Japan wont to achieve the harmony of chi within the body. Shiatsu works on the entire being, from the physical to the spiritual.

Shiatsu, also referred to as acupressure, maybe a finger pressure massage which involves acupressure techniques (without the needles) using hand, thumbs, elbows and knees incorporating pressure, holding, rubbing, heating or stretching movements which may be deep and firm. Usually performed on a floor mat or futon, Shiatsu may be a deeply relaxing experience which stimulates the body's own healing systems and brings the body into balance, energetically and physically. Shiatsu massage is best known for relief of stress-related symptoms like headaches and general muscle tension also as increasing mental and spiritual awareness.



Neuromuscular Massage

Neuromuscular massage therapy may be a deep sort of tissue massage for reducing muscle pain through the stimulation of circulation to the systema nervosum. the idea behind neuromuscular massage is that when a muscle spasms - it's not within the entire muscle, but during a centralized area within the muscle. When blood flow thereto area is decreased it's going to then reverberate to other areas of the muscle, causing pain.

This treatment involves using static pressure focused on a selected area called a trigger point and doesn't involve massage of the entire body. By applying pressure to the trigger point for several seconds, the carboxylic acid build-up at the trigger point is dispersed. This relaxes the muscles by increasing the blood flow and oxygen available to them, which releases carboxylic acid and thus the explanation for the pain, via the systema nervosum. Muscle pain and soreness are neutralized by repeated concentrated pressure over the trigger points.



Pregnancy Massage

Pregnancy massage is analogous to Swedish massage with several positional adjustments. it's wont to ease a number of the discomforts related to pregnancy like swelling within the legs, muscles and joint aches or reduced flexibility and circulation.

The massage is typically administered with the mother on her side using special pillows to position her body for the best comfort. Also referred to as prenatal massage, the treatment helps with relaxation, reduces stress and relieves strained back and leg muscles to correct the posture and reduce back strain. Pregnancy massage aids the circulatory and lymphatic systems, which allows healthy blood flow to the mother and her baby.



Aromatherapy Massage

Aromatherapy massage uses highly concentrated plant oils, referred to as essential oils, which are added to the massage oil or lotion. this system combines the natural therapeutic properties of essential oils and therefore the healing power of massage therapy. It is often very effective in relaxing and healing the mind, body and spirit and is usually described as a really relaxing and rejuvenating experience. The oils are the foremost important a part of the treatment, chosen for his or her therapeutic effect, and not just the fragrance to "therapeutically" stimulate the nasal/olfactory senses. These are administered as incense, oil diffusers, or scented oils applied on to the body, counting on the necessity.

A full body massage using essential oils utilises different strokes directly associated with the specified effect, whether to alleviate tension, restore energy, aid relaxation and pain relief or to market a way of general well-being.