There are various types of massage, each with their own benefits to alleviate stress, pain or enhance general wellbeing. Massage is an old art with many variations depending on the country of origin. I explore a number of typically the most popular, explaining the treatment and their individual benefits.
Swedish Massage
Swedish massage, typically the most popular worldwide, is also called ‘Classic massage’ and is the building blocks for most other types of Western massage. It involves using firm but gentle pressure to market relaxation, focusing on regions of specific muscle tension. It is performed on bare skin using oils or lotions. The therapist uses their hands, forearms or elbows to manipulate the superficial layers of the muscles. Swedish massage shortens recovery time from muscular strain by flushing the tissues of lactic acid, uric acid, and other metabolic wastes by increasing the level of oxygen in the blood, it advances the speed body cells can eliminate their waste materials.
Deep Tissue Massage, whilst the name implies, focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue. Unlike Swedish massage, that will be useful for relaxation, deep tissue massage focuses on a particular problem, such as: Chronic pain. It treats the connective tissue of your body rather than simply the top muscles. It is comparable to Swedish massage but with slower movements and deeper pressure. Deep tissue massage helps to refresh and relax muscles, increasing the blood flow and which means oxygen flow around the body. A deep tissue massage is very slow using long, flowing strokes to help relieve in and out from the muscle. Desire to of deep tissue massage is to not give 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 is suited to 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 in it is a deeper kind of soft tissue massage using specific techniques to treat physically active individuals.
The various kinds of massage include: Post-event – to bring body tissues to normal state. Restorative – during training allows athletes to train harder and minimise potential for injury. Rehabilitative – aimed at alleviating pain as a result of injury. A sports massage is an excellent choice when you yourself have a particular 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 as well as reduces the likelihood of injury.
Indian Head Massage is a very relaxing treatment which, whilst the name suggests, focuses on massaging the head. Indian Head Massage (Champissage) also incorporates massage of the shoulders, upper arms, neck, scalp, face and ears. The procedure uses a variety of different movements including deep kneading and compression movements within the neck, shoulder and scalp areas. Performed sitting upright in a seat, it helps to clear your brain as it revitalizes and improves alertness and concentration levels, whilst improving joint mobility and flexibility in the neck and shoulders.
Reflexology Massage
Reflexology, also called zone therapy, is based on the concept there are “reflex” areas on the feet and hands that correspond to specific organs, glands, and other areas of the body. The underlying theory is when pressure is placed on a particular 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 usage of oil or lotion. Reflexology stimulates internal organs, boosts circulation and can restore bodily functions to normal. Reflexology promotes healing by stimulating the foot, which advances the flow of vital energy to differing of your body as well as releases endorphins (the body’s natural pain killers)
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 마사지 to relax the muscles, allowing for a deeper and more intense all-over massage. The stones are employed as tools to supply effective tissue and muscle massage at light, medium or deep pressure levels in the treatment of sore muscles, back pain, stress and other common ailments. Benefits are the restoration of the body’s natural balance, deep muscle relaxation, improved circulation and the sensation of over comfort and warmth.
Shiatsu, also called acupressure, is 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 is often deep and firm. Usually performed on a floor mat or futon, Shiatsu is a deeply relaxing experience which stimulates the body’s own healing systems and brings your body into balance, energetically and physically. Shiatsu massage is best known for relief of stress-related symptoms such as headaches and general muscle tension as well as increasing mental and spiritual awareness.
Neuromuscular Massage
Neuromuscular massage therapy is a deep kind of tissue massage for reducing muscle pain through the stimulation of circulation to the nervous system. The idea behind neuromuscular massage is that whenever a muscle spasms – it is not in the entire muscle, but in a centralized area within the muscle. When blood flow compared to that area is decreased it could then reverberate to other regions of the muscle, causing pain.
This treatment involves using static pressure dedicated to a particular area called a trigger point and does not involve massage of the whole body. By making use of pressure to the trigger point for many seconds, the lactic acid build-up at the trigger point is dispersed. This relaxes the muscles by increasing the blood flow and oxygen available for them, which releases lactic acid and thus the explanation for pain, via the nervous system. Muscle pain and soreness are neutralized by repeated concentrated pressure within the trigger points.
The massage is usually carried out with the mother on her side using special pillows to put her body for the greatest comfort. Also called pre-natal massage, the treatment helps with relaxation, reduces stress and relieves strained back and leg muscles to fix 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, called essential oils, which are added to the massage oil or lotion. This technique combines the natural therapeutic properties of essential oils and the healing power of massage therapy. It can be very effective in relaxing and healing your brain, body and spirit and is frequently referred to as a very relaxing and rejuvenating experience. The oils are the main area of the treatment, chosen for his or her therapeutic effect, and not only the fragrance to “therapeutically” stimulate the nasal/olfactory senses. They’re administered as incense, oil diffusers, or scented oils applied straight to your body, depending on the need.
