Massage treatment1 has been practiced in almost every culture throughout history for many years to treat different problems.
According to legend, massage therapy was originally used in 3000 BC. Ayurveda, or Indian medicine, was the original massage technique. This method extended around the world and took on many other shapes.
A massage can help relieve stress and muscle tension, relax the entire body, regulate blood flow, boost metabolism, relieve pain, and maintain joint mobility. A massage can also improve your physical, emotional, and overall wellness.
Modalities refer to the different types of massage and procedures available. Different types of massageย areย available; you can select one that best suits your needs. Each one has a distinct purpose.
If youโre unfamiliar with them or are unsure which type to choose, hereโs a quick guide:
Different Types of Massage
1. Deep Tissue Massage
The therapist utilizes more pressure during Deep Tissue Massage since it concentrates on the deeper tissues beneath the skin and relieves severe muscle tension. Massage therapists often dig in with their knuckles, hands, and elbows.
Musculoskeletal ailments, postural issues, and persistent/chronic muscle discomfort and tension are commonly treated. It can also correct physical imbalances and reduce stress and anxiety.
This massage lasts 60-90 minutes.
You can either be naked or in your underwear throughout this massage. This is the greatest option because no pain or stiffness should be felt during the massage.
If you have inflamed joints, try to avoid deep tissue massage since the forceful nature of the massage may worsen the problem.
2. Hot Stone Massage
Hot Stone Massage2 is a technique in which your massage therapist places hot stones on your body and applies a lighter pressure on your body, allowing the therapist to reach deeper and provide you with complete relaxation.
Hot Stone Massage is very much similar to Swedish or classic massage. Only the difference is during the hot stone massage therapist employs hot stones but may also include the use of cold stones.
Heat applied at the right temperature might help you relax and loosen your muscles. This practice can also help with blood circulation, stress and anxiety reduction, relaxation, and muscle tension relief, among other things.
The duration of the massage is usually from 45minutes to 60minutes.
You can be completely clothed or have a thin sheet draped over your body.
3. Swedish Massage
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtADTfhngpw
The Swedish massage 3is a well-known and famous type of massage, known as the โtraditionalโ massage or โclassic massage.โ
This Swedish massage uses a variety of strokes and methods. Vibration and tapping, long kneading towards the heart, passive joint movement techniques, stroking, and friction are methods used to relieve pain, particularly lower back pain and reduce muscle stiffness.
It is also used to treat Osteoarthritis and improve blood circulation.
The therapist uses massage oil to make the hand strokes and movements more comfortable during Swedish Massage Therapy. You should seek medical advice before beginning.
The duration of a Swedish massage is usually from 30minutes to 60minutes.
4. Thai Massage
Thai massage is a massage that helps people to feel more energized. This massage is appropriate for persons who seek a more active style of massage, whereas other massage techniques focus on unwinding and relaxation.
Thai massage boosts the bodyโs energy levels while refreshing the mindโs thinking capacities. It can also aid with circulation and flexibility.
Thai massage works on the entire body using movements similar to yoga practice. Throughout the session, a therapist will use their palms and fingers to apply firm pressure to the body.
Your therapist suggested wearing loose and baggy clothing in the session, so youโll be stretched and twisted into various positions.
A Thai massage duration lasts 60 to 90 minutes.
5. Shiatsu Massage
Shiatsu massage is a sort of Japanese massage. Shiatsu massage is concerned with the clientโs emotional, physiological, and spiritual well-being.
Itโs a Japanese style of massage that promotes physical calm and relaxation and pain relief, muscle soreness, and stress relief in the body. It also improves sleep and weariness and may enhance mood.
During the massage, your therapist will use their hands, tips of fingers, palms, and thumbs to massage certain points of your body. Soft movements and rhythmic pressure are applied.
This massage can be fully clothed.
The duration of Shiatsu massages is usually 60 to 90 minutes long.
6. Trigger Point Massage /Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger Point Therapy focuses on a single body part. This is usually where you feel the most pain, whether itโs severe or mild.
Trigger point massage relies on several methods of stroking and pressing on trigger points to reduce stress and provide a relaxing experience.
Acupuncture is a popular kind of treatment.
People who have injuries, persistent/chronic pain, or a specific disease or condition benefit most from trigger point massage.
Trigger point massage is currently being used in association with MRI scans to pinpoint the exact location of the pain. This has a major impact on the neuromuscular junction.
You can choose to be fully or partially naked during the massage and wear light clothing.
This type of massage will usually last 10 to 60 minutes.
7. Sports Massage
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iPsOclRbwk
Athletes put their bodies through a lot of stress, and participating in sports puts them at risk of injury. Sports Massage emphasizes the impact of sports activities on the athleteโs joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and soft tissues.
Sports massage focuses on the fact that athletes should get a sports massage before, during, or after an athletic event to relax their entire body.
Sports massage is also an excellent choice if youโre prone to injuries because it can help you avoid them.
Sports massage aids in the relief of performance-related aches and pains, the promotion of flexibility, the reduction of anxiety, the release of muscle tension, and even the prevention of potential injuries.
To aid effective stress release, massage therapists frequently blend massage techniques with different types of stroke.
Some of the techniques used are deep tissue massage, acupuncture, Swedish massage techniques, stroking, kneading, compression, friction, hitting, vibration, and trigger points.
You can have a sports massage with or without clothes.
The duration of the massage usually lasts 60 to 90 minutes.
8. Prenatal Massage or Pregnancy Massage
A prenatal massage is a safe approach for pregnant women to reap the advantages of massage therapy; it is recommended that this massage be done after the first trimester to limit the risk of any mishaps.
Getting a massage when pregnant provides a variety of advantages, including hormone balance, improved blood flow, nerve pain relief, reduced edema, reduced back and joint discomfort, and even improved sleep. It can also aid with physical aches, stress, and muscular strain during pregnancy.
The individual receiving the massage lies on their side or a specially built massage table. This massage is done with light pressure. Your lower back, hips, and legs will centre the therapistโs attention.
For this massage, you can either be partially or fully naked, depending on your level of comfort.ย In most cases, the duration of the massage will last 45 to 60 minutes.
9. Chair Massage
A chair massage is ideal for persons who want a rapid massage that results in the greatest impact in the shortest amount of time. It mainly targets the neck, shoulder, and back problems.
To relieve tension, your shoulders are massaged with a forceful/firm stroke with the sides of the neck. To relax the eyes, the back of the neck is softly massed.
The cranial portion is massaged with various essential oils to regulate the blood flow through the brain. This type of massage relaxes your entire upper body, allowing you to think clearly and stress-free.
Mild pressure is used in this type of massage. You will remain fully dressed. These massages usually last 10 to 30 minutes.
10. Aromatherapy Massage
Aromatherapy massage improves emotional and physical calm by using essential oils from plants. It brings mental tranquillity and relieves tension trapped in your body.
Combining these two aspects, scented massages and fragrant baths can help relax while also energizing you, depending on the scents your massage therapist uses. Many therapists will initially talk with you to determine which essential oils you prefer.
For example, cypress is believed to relieve muscle pain, and Roman chamomile can help decrease anxiety, whereas tea tree is used to support the immune system.
The presence of fragrant essential oils and scented candles near the person gives the brain a pleasant sensation. An aromatherapy massage is a mild form of a Swedish massage.
You will not be dressed, but you can wear underwear if you want to. Duration of Aromatherapy massageโ between 60 and 90 minutes long.
11. Craniosacral Therapy
Cranial sacral treatment, also known as craniosacral massage, is a gentle, non-invasive approach for relieving stress and tension held in the body by releasing compression in the bones of the skull, spine, and pelvis.
The idea behind cranial sacral therapy is that light touch of the bones in the head, low back, and spine can help restore the central nervous system and improve irregular sleep patterns.
Unlike regular massages, cranial-sacral treatment frequently begins with a massage chair and subsequently progresses to a massage table. The massage therapist will check you during the massage to ensure youโre getting the right amount of touch.
Migraine, headache, constipation, interrupted sleep cycles and insomnia, trauma recovery, especially whiplash trauma, mood disorders such as anxiety or depression, problematic pregnancies, and so on are some illnesses that may benefit from craniosacral therapy.
You will remain fully dressed with light and still movements. Typically, these massages take 60 minutes or more.
12. Reflexology Massage
Reflexology massage is also known as โZone Therapy.โ This massage is based on the theory that zones or pressure points on the ears, hands and feet are related to the rest of your body.
The bodyโs reflexes are controlled by the ears, hands, and feet. Different pressure points on the hand, feet, and ears correspond to a different part of the body if that point on the hand is massaged or pressed.
This short-term massage is for minor aches and pains, but it does not address severe or chronic symptoms.
Relaxation, pain relief, fatigue reduction, increased sleep, anxiety reduction, and improved mood are all possible benefits of reflexology.
Wear loose, comfortable attire that enables you to see your legs. A reflexology massage lasts 30 to 60 minutes
13. Myofascial Massage
Myofascial Massage is related to fascia, the connective tissue system that holds all organs, arteries, bones, and muscles together. When the deep fascia stiffens, myofascial release therapy is used to manipulate it.
Outside aid is rarely required for this type of massage. Different-sized balls can be used to roll over the body to break down the fascia that causes pain.
If therapy is required, a therapist will find stiff spots and apply light hand pressure to them. This massage target certain trigger points to help ease the pain. This will aid in releasing fascia stiffness and the improvement of restricted movement.
It is divided into two types: Active massage, which focuses on the painful areas, and Passive massage, which relaxes the muscles.
Myofascial pain syndrome, headaches, venous insufficiency, and other disorders may benefit from myofascial therapy.
Typically, these messages take 60 minutes or longer.
14. Lymphatic Drainage Massage
Lymphatic drainage massage, also known as manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), is a gentle massage used to relieve painful swelling in your arms and legs caused by Lymphedema.
A lymphatic drainage massage is a gentle massage of your tissues designed to help increase the circulation of lymph fluids in your body.
The lymphatic system helps remove toxins and improve circulation. Lymphedema, fibromyalgia, edema, skin diseases, lethargy, sleeplessness, and other ailments can benefit from increased circulation.
These massages usually take 60 minutes or more.
15. Active Release Therapy
Active Release Therapy is most commonly used for the treatment of Athletes. It aids in the recovery from injuries involving the muscles and soft tissues.
In addition to athletes, ordinary guys can benefit from this therapy if they are physically active and must engage in daily physical activity.
The unfavourable workout or practice causes muscle stiffness, which must be cured.
The analysis of ripped muscle through the hand is used to treat specific trigger points. The therapist determines the regions of discomfort by interviewing the patient and asking them to move certain portions of their bodies.
The treatment lasts up to 90 minutes and provides the body with significant pain relief
16. Couples Massage
A couples massage is a massage you do in the same room with your partner, friend, or family member. It provides all of the benefits of a conventional massage technique while also allowing you to relax with your spouse.
Other services, including medicures, pedicures, facials, body washing, and body scrubs, are occasionally included in a package.
You may normally choose which sort of massage you want, and you can each get a separate massage.
Youโll be on tables next to each other, with your own massage therapist working on your bodies. If you want, you can talk during the massage.
Couple massage has many advantages, including bonding, relaxation, and stress reduction. Stay away from bad foods. Order food and beverages to be delivered to your location. Set the mood by choosing the right space.
17. Foot Massage
A Foot Massage is focused mainly on the front and back muscles of the feet. A foot massage involves a range of techniques like acupressure, friction, and skin rolling, each used to decrease pain, relieve tension and improve circulation.
The following are some of the techniques utilized in a foot massage:
โข Acupressure: helps to loosen up knots and improve blood flow.
โข Frictions: Frictions aid in the breakdown of collagen fibres that have accumulated up in the muscle.
โข Skin rolling: reduces fascia restriction, resulting in less muscle tightness and soreness.
โข Trigger pointing: This technique helps to ease and dissolve muscular knots.
Increased healing, reduced edema, improved circulation, and scar tissue breakdown are just a few of the advantages of a foot massage.
Now that youโre aware of the various massage therapy available, you might want to try them out!
These massage therapy sessions can help relieve muscle tension and stress relief and relax the entire body, regulate blood circulation, maintain blood pressure, boost metabolism, reduce pain, and maintain joint mobility. A massage can also improve your physical, emotional, and other health benefits.
Hopefully, now you have a better understanding of how to relieve muscle tension and chronic pain by using a different type of massage.
So thatโs it for this article; weโll keep you updated in the future.
If you have any questions about this topic, please comment below! Thank You.
- Vickers, Andrew, and Catherine Zollman. โMassage therapies.โย BMJย 319.7219 (1999): 1254-1257. โฉ๏ธ
- Radziejowski, Paweล. โHot stone massage therapy-mechanisms of the influence on the human organism of selected methods of use.โย Journal of Education, Health and Sportย 8.5 (2018): 335-348. โฉ๏ธ
- Aourell, Moa, Martina Skoog, and J. Carleson. โEffects of Swedish massage on blood pressure.โย Complementary therapies in clinical practiceย 11.4 (2005): 242-246. โฉ๏ธ
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