14 Different types of massage and how they differ
14 Different Types Of Massage
You’re looking for some muscular stress relief, and a massage is available. But which one? With so many different types, it might be a little tricky to figure out which one you need. We’re here to help!
We look at 14 different types of massage techniques so you can choose what’s best for you!
Massage: What type suits you best?
Massage is a technique that has been used for many years to treat different problems. It is said that the first types of massage therapy were introduced in 3000 BC.
Fact: The first massage was named Ayurveda which originated in India. This technique spread all over the world and has taken on various forms.
A massage can reduce stress and muscle tension, it relaxes the body overall, regulates the blood flow, enhances your metabolism, reduces pain, and ensures joint motility. A massage can also be super beneficial for your mental health and general well-being.
There are a lot of massage types one can choose from. Each of the types works for a special function. If you are perplexed about which type to choose, here’s a little guide:
1. Swedish Massage:
It is a well-known and famous type of massage now used all over the globe with the name of a classic massage.
This massage involves different techniques and strokes. It can be done by vibration, long kneading towards the heart, tapping rhythmically, and sliding with firm movements.
The main focus of this massage is to release pain, mainly lower back pain. It reduces muscle stiffness and is used to treat Osteoarthritis. This generally lasts from 30 to 90 minutes tops.
TIP: Drink plenty of water after a Swedish massage - it helps get rid of the toxins produced during the treatment
A 50 Minute Swedish Massage routine
2. Deep Tissue Massage:
This type of massage uses relatively greater pressure as it focuses on the deeper tissues under the skin.
The technique involves slow and firm movements on the skin with pressure applied by the fingers. This will relax your deep muscles and connective tissues relieving pain.
It usually treats chronic or extreme pain. It is also used for fixing imbalances in the body and can effectively lower stress and anxiety. The time duration of this massage is 60-90 minutes. This is the best option for you if you like firm and strong pressure during massage.
3. Trigger Point Massage:
Trigger Point Therapy as its name suggests, focuses on a specific point of the body.
This point is usually the area of intense or mild pain. The pressure is applied to the area through different methods of sliding and pressing.
This method relieves pain from different points of the body. The person should inform the masseuse prior session about the trigger spots. This type of massage is now associated with MRI scans too to figure out the areas of pain with precision. This affects deeply on the neuromuscular junction. The duration can be from a somewhat low time of 10 minutes to an hour.
4. Pre-natal Massage:
Pregnancy is an extremely tough thing to go throw accompanied by unexpected pain in different areas of the body.
The body swells and the muscles become stiff. Pre-natal massage is a safe way for pregnant women to enjoy the benefits of a massage. It is suggested to opt for this massage after the first trimester to reduce the risk of any mishaps.
The person lies on the side or on a specially designed table. Mild pressure is applied for this massage. It will give gentle relaxation and goes on for up to 60 minutes of massage.
5. Sports Massage:
Playing sports makes you prone to injuries as playing any type of sports can involve risks.
Sports massage focuses on the fact that the body needs complete relaxation. The prime focus can be on a certain area of pain or injury or it can involve a full-body massage. The techniques are alternated with different types of strokes to facilitate proper stress release.
You get stiff muscles and painful joints by playing. The masseuse can apply greater amounts of pressure to specific areas. It also helps in improving the flexibility of the body.
6. Hot Stone Massage:
The name tells the method of the massage.
A stone is heated mildly and it is applied with normal pressure on your body to give you complete tranquillity. This technique also involves the methods of a Swedish or classic massage as the stone can be used to give gentle strokes or firm pressure.
An example of hot stone massage
This method can regulate circulation in the body and help diminish stress and anxiety. People usually opt for this to give their body solace and time to unwind. It can be from 45 minutes to 60 minutes. You can either be fully clothed or your body will be covered by a thin sheet.
7. Aromatherapy Massage:
The centre of attention of this method also involves emotional healing.
It gives the mind a place to relax and release the stress trapped in your body. Different essential oils are applied to your body with gentle strokes to give the body a sensation of solace.
The scented essential oils and scented candles placed beside the person give a pleasant feeling to the brain. The prime focus is relaxation. It is a gentle alternative to a Swedish or classic massage. It can start from 60 minutes to a maximum of 90 minutes.
TIP: You may consider a 4 handed massage to really up the level of your aromatherapy session!
8. Reflexology Massage:
Another name for reflexology massage is “Zone Therapy”.
This massage is based on the study that the whole of your body is linked with zones on your hands and feet. The body’s natural reflexes are controlled through the hand and feet. Each point on the hand is associated with a specific portion of your body. That point on the hand is massaged or pressed.
This is a short-term solution for mild pains but it does not focus on intense or chronic pains.
9. Shiatsu Massage:
A Shiatsu massage is a Japanese massage as suggested by its name.
The focal point of this massage is emotional and physical healing. It cannot be comprised in the harsh type of massages as gentle care is given to enhance the dopamine receptors in the brain.
Soft movements are used on the body to give relaxation and tranquillity. Full hands, Palms, tips of the fingers, and thumb pressure can be used to give a massage. It involves long strokes or small quick ones. It helps to reduce headaches, muscle sores, tension, and stress in the body. It can last from 60 to 90 minutes.
Tip: Sumo wrestlers are known for long Shiatsu sessions after training, alongside lots of beer and sleep! Heaven!
10. Thai Massage:
Thai massage is an energy-giving massage.
As other massage techniques focus on unwinding and relaxation, this massage works on the activation of the body. It freshens the mind’s thinking capabilities and gives energy to the body to go on with its normal functions.
It is suggested to wear loose and baggy clothing in the session as you will be stretched and twisted into different positions to increase the flexibility of the body.
Different yoga techniques are also applied to the massage to raise the energy levels of the body. It will prove to open your mind and reduce complexity in thinking.
As with other massage techniques from Asia, Thai massage, like its cousins Shiatsu and Gua Sha, has specific benefits that need to be fully understood before choosing the best one for you.
11. Chair Massage:
It is a quick massage technique to give you maximum effect in the smallest period of time.
The prime focus of this massage is the upper portion of your body. Your shoulders are massaged with a firm stroke with the sides of your neck to release tension. The back of the neck is massed gently to relax the eyes.
The cranial or the head portion is massaged with different oils to regulate the flow of blood through the brain. This massage gives complete upper body relaxation to help you think openly and without stress.
12. Active Release Therapy:
Active Release Therapy was originally made for athletes to recover quickly from injuries that involved muscles and soft tissues.
This can be used for normal people who are physically active and have to perform physical exertion daily. The increase in this thing results in the stiffness of muscles that needs to be cured.
Specific trigger points are treated by the analysis of torn muscle through the hand. The therapist figures out the areas of discomfort through interviewing and by asking the patient to move certain parts of the body. The treatment lasts up to 90 minutes and gives an effective pain-relief to the body.
13. Myofascial Release Therapy
Sometimes when our body stiffens, it is not actually the muscles that are sore but in fact, the connective tissues or the deep fascia stiffens.
This type of massage rarely needs outside assistance. The person can use different sizes of balls to roll over the body to break down the fascia that causes pain.
It has two types; the active type of massage focuses on the affected painful areas and the passive type of massage for relaxed muscles.
14. Cupping Therapy Massage
It is one of the first massages ever to be known by mankind. It goes way back to Egyptian times.
The process of cupping is quite simple and it helps the blood flow through the body. The sore area is detected and a cup is applied by vacuum. The cup remains at the surface for 1 or 2 minutes and then it is removed once blood appears under the surface of the skin.
It has many types including dry cupping, fire cupping, and wet cupping.
Summing up 14 different types of massage
Massage can prove really beneficial for the overall health of the body and mind. People can make appointments weekly or monthly to maintain their mental and physical energy. There are different types of massages and you can select which one suits you best by figuring out your areas of need and attention.
