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Cox Hauser posted an update 4 years, 5 months ago
There are many types of massage, each with their own benefits to relieve stress, pain or enhance general wellbeing. Massage can be an ancient art with many variations with regards to the country of origin.
μμ μΆμ₯ explore some of the most popular, explaining the treatment and their individual benefits.Swedish Massage
Swedish massage, the most used worldwide, is also known as ‘Classic massage’ and is the foundation for most other types of Western massage. It involves using firm but gentle pressure to promote relaxation, working on areas 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, along with other metabolic wastes by increasing the amount of oxygen in 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 fiber)
Vibration/shaking
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep Tissue Massage, as the name implies, focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue. Unlike Swedish massage, that is useful for relaxation, deep tissue massage focuses on a specific problem, such as: Chronic pain. It treats the connective tissue of the body rather than just the surface muscles. It is much like Swedish massage but with slower movements and deeper pressure. Deep tissue massage helps to refresh and relax muscles, increasing the blood flow and then the oxygen flow around the body. A deep tissue massage is very slow using long, flowing strokes to help ease in and out of the muscle. The purpose of deep tissue massage is not to leave you feeling relaxed and blissful; rather, it can help to tackle particular physical, muscular problems to relieve pain and restore normal movement.
Sports Massage
Sports massage was designed for athletes, but is suitable for anyone with chronic pain, injury or range-of-motion problems. It targets the prevention and healing of injuries to muscles and tendons. Sports Massage differs from massage therapy in that this is a deeper form of soft tissue massage using specific ways to treat physically active individuals.
The different forms of massage include: Post-event – to bring body tissues on track state. Restorative – during training allows athletes to train harder and minimise potential for injury. Rehabilitative – targeted at alleviating pain because of injury. A sports massage is a great choice if you have a particular problem sustained through sport. It stimulates blood circulation and lymph fluids that allows for optimal metabolic exchanges, enhanced recovery after intense training, better performance and decreased onset of muscle soreness and also reduces the possibility 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 deploying it as a quick de-stressing program.
Indian Head Massage is a very relaxing treatment which, because the name suggests, targets massaging the top. Indian Head Massage (Champissage) also contains massage of the shoulders, upper arms, neck, scalp, face and ears. The procedure uses a range of different movements including deep kneading and compression movements over the neck, shoulder and scalp areas. Performed sitting upright in a chair, it helps to clear the mind as it revitalizes and improves alertness and concentration levels, whilst improving joint mobility and flexibility in the neck and shoulders.
Reflexology Massage
Reflexology, also referred to as zone therapy, is founded on the concept that there are "reflex" areas on your feet and hands that correspond to specific organs, glands, and other areas of the body. The underlying theory is that if pressure is applied to 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 organs, boosts circulation and can restore bodily functions on track. Reflexology promotes healing by stimulating the foot, which increases the flow of vital energy to various parts of the body as well as releases endorphins (your body’s natural pain killers)
Hot Stone Massage
A hot stone massage is really a full body treatment that uses smooth flat water heated stones placed along both sides of the spine (the chakra centres). The goal is to relax muscles and relieve tension rapidly. Differently weighted stones are employed for different amounts of pressure.
Hot stone massage combines the proven benefits of Swedish massage with the deep heat and pressure supplied by using warm basalt stones and soothing oils to relax the muscles, allowing for a deeper and much more intense all-over massage. The stones are employed as tools to deliver effective tissue and muscle massage at light, medium or deep pressure levels in the treating sore muscles, back pain, stress and other common ailments. Benefits are the restoration of your body’s natural balance, deep muscle relaxation, improved circulation and the sensation of all over comfort and warmth.
Shiatsu Massage
Shiatsu massage is really a traditional hands-on therapy while it began with Japan used to achieve the harmony of chi in the body. Shiatsu works overall being, from the physical to the spiritual.
Shiatsu, generally known as acupressure, is really a finger pressure massage which involves acupressure techniques (minus the needles) using hand, thumbs, elbows and knees incorporating pressure, holding, rubbing, heating or stretching movements that may be deep and firm. Usually performed on a floor mat or futon, Shiatsu is really a deeply relaxing experience which stimulates your body’s own healing systems and brings your body into balance, energetically and physically. Shiatsu massage is most beneficial 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 type of tissue massage for reducing muscle pain through the stimulation of circulation to the nervous system. The theory behind neuromuscular massage is that when a muscle spasms – it isn’t in the entire muscle, however in a centralized area within the muscle. When blood flow compared to that area is decreased it could then reverberate to the areas of the muscle, causing pain.
This treatment involves using static pressure centered on a specific area called a trigger point and does not involve massage of the complete body. Through the 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 open to them, which releases lactic acid and therefore the cause of pain, via the nervous system. Muscle pain and soreness are neutralized by repeated concentrated pressure on the trigger points.
Pregnancy Massage
Pregnancy massage is comparable to Swedish massage with several positional adjustments. It really is used to ease a number of the discomforts associated with pregnancy such as swelling in the legs, muscles and joint aches or reduced flexibility and circulation.
The massage is usually completed with the mother on her side using special pillows to put her body for the greatest comfort. Often known as pre-natal massage, the treatment supports 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, that allows healthy blood flow to the mother and her baby.
Aromatherapy Massage
Aromatherapy massage uses highly concentrated plant oils, known as 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 the mind, body and spirit and is often described as a very relaxing and rejuvenating experience. The oils are the most important part of the treatment, chosen because of their therapeutic effect, and not just the fragrance to "therapeutically" stimulate the nasal/olfactory senses. They are administered as incense, oil diffusers, or scented oils applied right to the body, based on the need.