What is a massage?
There are numerous kinds of massage that focus on various parts of the body or healing methods. Massage is the practice of rubbing and kneading the body using the hands. During a massage, a massage therapist will apply mild or strong pressure to the muscles and joints of the body to reduce pain and stress. A massage therapist is a person trained in offering massages.
Read on to discover about the various kinds of massage and which type may be best for you.
1. Swedish massage
Swedish massage is a mild type of full-body massage that’s ideal for individuals who:
are brand-new to massage
have a lot of tension
are delicate to touch
It can help launch muscle knots, and it’s also an excellent choice for when you wish to completely relax throughout a massage.
For this massage, you’ll remove your clothing, though you might choose to keep your underclothing on. You’ll be covered with a sheet while lying on the massage table. The massage therapist will move the sheet to uncover locations that they are actively working on.
The massage therapist will utilize a combination of:
kneading
long, streaming strokes in the direction of the heart
deep circular motions
vibration and tapping
passive joint motion techniques
Typically a Swedish massage will last for 60– 90 minutes.
SUMMARY:
Choose a Swedish massage for relaxation or handling minor pain.
This kind of massage is also helpful for people brand-new to massage
2. Hot stone massage.
Hot stone massage is best for people who have muscle discomfort and stress or who just desire to unwind. This kind of healing massage resembles a Swedish massage, just the massage therapist uses heated stones in lieu of or in addition to their hands. It alleviates muscle tension, enhances blood flow, and alleviates discomfort by utilizing heated stones. Hot stone massage might assist:
ease muscle tension
enhance blood circulation
reduce pain
promote relaxation
ease stress
Throughout a hot stone massage, heated stones are put on different areas around your entire body. Your therapist may hold a stone as they massage different parts of your body using Swedish massage strategies utilizing gentle pressure. Often cold stones are likewise utilized.
You don’t wear clothing for hot stone massage unless you’ll feel more comfortable wearing your underclothing. You will be covered with a sheet. Typically the massage is 90 minutes long.
SUMMARY:
Hot stone massage may alleviate more muscle stress than a Swedish massage since of the added heat.
This type of massage in normally more pricey than a Swedish massage
3. Aromatherapy massage.
Aromatherapy massages are best for individuals who desire to have an emotional recovery component to their massage. This type of massage can assist:
increase your state of mind
reduce tension and stress and anxiety
decrease signs of anxiety
relieve muscle tension
relieve pain
Aromatherapy massages combine soft, mild pressure with using necessary oils. Your massage therapist will typically decide which vital oils to use, but you can let them know if you have a choice. Essential oils are diluted prior to being applied to the skin.
Throughout the massage, you’ll be provided a full-body massage while breathing in essential oils through a diffuser and absorbing them through your skin. Sometimes an aromatherapy massage will just concentrate on your back, shoulders, and head. You will not wear any clothes other than underwear, which is optional.
An aromatherapy massage is 60– 90 minutes.
SUMMARY:
Aromatherapy combines the mild touches of Swedish massage with the addition of essential oils.
Do not utilize this type of massage if you’re sensitive to smell or essential oils.
4. Deep tissue massage
Deep tissue massage uses more pressure than a Swedish massage. It’s a good alternative if you have chronic muscle issues, such as soreness, injury, or imbalance. It can assist eliminate tight muscles, chronic muscle pain, deep tissue massage and stress and anxiety.
Throughout a deep tissue massage, your massage therapist will use sluggish strokes and deep finger pressure to eliminate stress from the inmost layers of your muscles and connective tissues. You can be naked during this massage or use your underwear.
The massage will last for 60– 90 minutes.
While deep tissue may be more intense, you shouldn’t feel any pain or pain.
SUMMARY:
Deep tissue massage is an excellent option if you have a great deal of muscle stress or chronic discomfort.
Prevent this type of massage if you’re excessively sensitive to pressure.
5. Sports massage
Sports massage is an excellent alternative if you have a repeated use injury to a muscle, such as what you might get from playing a sport. It’s likewise an excellent alternative if you’re susceptible to injuries because it can be used to assist avoid sports injuries. You may also utilize sports massage to increase flexibility and efficiency. Furthermore, sports massage can be used to eliminate pain, anxiety, and muscle tension.
A sports massage can be done as a full-body massage or the massage therapist might concentrate on the parts of the body that require the most attention. Deep pressure might be alternated with relaxing strokes depending upon your requirements.
You can have a sports massage while clothed or naked. If you choose to use clothing, ensure it’s thin, loose, and permits the therapist access to your muscles. Loose shorts and a tank top are alternatives.
The massage will last for 60– 90 minutes.
SUMMARY:
Sports massage is a great choice if you have an injury from repetitive muscle use.
This type of massage may likewise help enhance versatility and sports performance, and reduce your risk for injury.
6. Trigger point massage
Trigger point massages are best fit for individuals who have injuries, persistent discomfort, or a specific issue or condition. Often locations of tightness in the muscle tissues, called trigger points, can trigger discomfort in other parts of the body. By focusing on easing trigger points, this kind of massage can lower pain.
Trigger point massage utilizes broad, flowing strokes that are mild and peaceful combined with more powerful, much deeper pressure. The massage will include work on your whole body, though your therapist will concentrate on particular areas of your body that requirement to be released. You can wear light-weight clothing for the massage or be totally or partly undressed.
This type of massage will normally last for 60– 90 minutes.
SUMMARY:
Trigger point massage can assist you manage chronic discomfort.
Wear light-weight clothes for this type of massage.
7. Reflexology
Reflexology is finest for people who are seeking to unwind or restore their natural energy levels. It’s also a great choice if you aren’t comfortable being touched on your entire body. Reflexology utilizes gentle to firm pressure on various pressure points of the feet, hands, and ears. You can wear loose, comfy clothes that permits access to your legs.
A reflexology massage lasts for 30– 60 minutes.
SUMMARY:
Reflexology concentrates on pressure points in your feet massage, hands, and ears.
This is an excellent choice if you’re uneasy being touched over your whole body. You can also be completely clothed throughout this kind of massage
8. Shiatsu massage.
Shiatsu massage is best for people who wish to feel relaxed and ease stress, pain, and stress. It’s a Japanese kind of massage that:
promotes emotional and physical calm and relaxation
assists to relieve tension, stress and anxiety, and anxiety
might alleviate headache
minimizes muscle stress
Shiatsu massage works the entire body, but your therapist may concentrate on areas of your body that require extra attention. Throughout the massage, your therapist will use their hands, palms, and thumbs to massage certain points of your body. Pulsing or balanced pressure is utilized. You can be totally dressed throughout this massage.
Shiatsu massages typically last for 60– 90 minutes.
SUMMARY:
Shiatsu is a good alternative if you’re searching for a relaxing massage It may likewise help launch small tension.
You can be totally clothed throughout this kind of massage.
9. Thai massage.
Thai massage is best for individuals who want a more active type of massage and want to minimize and eliminate pain and tension. It can also assist enhance:
flexibility
blood circulation
energy levels
Thai massage works the entire body utilizing a sequence of movements that resemble yogic stretching. Your therapist will use their palms and fingers to use firm pressure to your body. You’ll also be stretched and twisted into different positions. You can wear loose, comfy clothes throughout the massage.
Thai massage lasts for 60– 90 minutes.
SUMMARY:
Thai massage is more active than other forms of massage, and the therapist will extend your body in addition to providing a massage
This is another kind of massage where you remain totally dressed.
10. Prenatal massage.
Prenatal massage can be a safe method for females to get a massage during pregnancy. It can help in reducing pregnancy body aches, reduce tension, and alleviate muscle stress. You can get a massage at any time throughout your pregnancy. Nevertheless, numerous centers, especially in the United States, do not provide massages to women in their very first trimester due to the danger of miscarriage during this time.
Prenatal massage utilizes mild pressure similar to Swedish massage. The therapist will concentrate on areas such as your lower back, hips, and legs. You can be completely or partly undressed depending upon your convenience level. Throughout the massage, you’ll either rest on your side or on a specifically created table with a cutout for your tummy. If you’ve had discomfort in your calves or other parts of your leg, see a physician prior to you have a massage.
The massage will last for 45– 60 minutes.
SUMMARY:
Prenatal massage is a great choice for pregnant ladies.
This type of massage focuses on mild pressure and is great for relaxation and moderate tension relief.
11. Couple’s massage
A couple’s massage is a massage that you finish with your partner, friend, or household member in the very same space. It brings all the benefits of a regular massage and sometimes offers you with access to the spa’s hot tubs, saunas, and other facilities. Other treatments such as pedicures, facials, and body scrubs are often used as part of a plan.
You can generally pick which kind of massage you want to receive, and you and your partner can each get a different type of massage depending upon your choice and the offerings at the spa. Your partner and you will be on tables side-by-side, and you’ll each have your own massage therapist dealing with your body. You can talk during the massage if you wish.
SUMMARY:
A couple’s massage is a massage you have in a shared space with a good friend, partner, or relative.
You can normally pick from a variety of kinds of massages to have throughout your visit. Swedish and hot stone massages are commonly provided as a choice throughout a couple’s massage
12. Chair massage.
A chair massage is best for individuals who desire a fast massage that concentrates on your neck, shoulders, and back. A chair massage can likewise be a method to introduce you to massage if you’ve never had one before. Chair massage likewise helps to ease stress and promote relaxation. This type of massage utilizes light to medium pressure.
Throughout the massage, you’ll remain completely dressed and being in a specially created chair. You’ll straddle the chair so that your chest presses into the back of the chair, allowing the massage therapist to have access to your back.
These massages are generally 10– 30 minutes.
SUMMARY:
A chair massage is an excellent option if you’re brief on time.
This kind of massage is likewise a good alternative if you’re new to massage.
How to find a massage therapist
You can get an individual suggestion for a massage therapist from a doctor, buddy, or an online directory. Or you can reserve a few massages with various therapists to see which one you choose. Make sure it’s somebody with whom you feel comfy so that you can fully relax.
Make sure your massage therapist s effectively trained and has certificates and state licenses that are current. You may want to have a quick conversation with your therapist prior to starting your sessions so that you can interact your expectations and ask any pertinent concerns.
Just how much does a massage cost?
Prices differ greatly for massages in the United States. An hourlong massage is generally $50–$ 150. Most therapists will anticipate a 15– 20 percent idea on top of this. Nevertheless, some places do not accept gratuity.
Aromatherapy, hot stone, and prenatal massages tend to be more costly than standard massages. Depending upon the location, some specialized massages such as deep tissue, Thai, or sports massages might run a bit higher, too.
You can take a look at a massage school in your area or discover a massage therapist who works at house if you desire to find massages at a more affordable expense.
Insurance sometimes covers massage treatment if you can show it’s being used to deal with a medical condition. Sometimes insurance provider will cover massage treatment if it’s part of chiropractic care.
The takeaway
Massage may be a method for you to feel much better physically, mentally, and mentally. Try out various kinds of massage and with various massage therapists to discover the type and provider that is most ideal for you.
Constantly communicate your expectations and intents with your massage therapist and speak out if there is something with which you aren’t comfortable. Speak with your doctor before getting any type of massage if you have any health concerns or conditions