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Massage therapy continues to evolve and there are many different types of body massages to choose from. But no matter what you go for, all different types of massages offer relief and relaxation.
Think massage and the first image that crops up in the mind is of a traditional massage table and various oils. But there are many different types of body massages that are available these days. While some types of massages target a particular body part, others are for the entire body.
All types of massages are meant to reduce your muscle tension and stress. They help relax the body, regulate your blood flow, and reduce pain. Body massages are extremely beneficial for your general well-being as well as your mental health.
What are the different types of massages?
While there are several types of body massage techniques, here are a few popular ones:
1. Hot stone massage
A hot stone massage uses heated basalt stones. Basalt is a volcanic rock with high iron content. This allows the stone to hold in heat well.
For this type of body massage, basalt stones are heated in hot water and then placed on different areas of the body, such as along the spine, on the stomach, feet, chest, face, toes, or palms. The placement depends on where you are feeling pain or discomfort.
Hot stone massage starts with the therapist applying oil on your skin so that the stones can glide easily across the body. This is followed by basic Swedish massage techniques such as long strokes, rolling, kneading, circular movements, and tapping, using hot stones.
The stones are heated to a comfortable 45°C to 62°C, which does not cause any burning on the skin. A hot stone massage is known to reduce stress, relieve muscle pain and tension, promote good sleep, and increase joint flexibility.
2. Swedish massage
This is a famous type of body massage, but requires less pressure than other types of massages. A Swedish massage is therapeutic and involves long kneading towards the heart, rhythmic tapping, and sliding across the body with firm movements.
There will also be a combination of kneading, stroking and gliding, tapping, rubbing, and vibration.
Swedish massage uses softer strokes on the delicate areas of the body and stronger strokes in places where there is thicker muscle coverage.
According to Per Henrik Ling, who invented various Swedish massage techniques, this type of body massage improves circulation, makes a person feel more relaxed, and soothes the muscles.
3. Deep tissue massage
There are different types of massage techniques. The objective of this type of massage is to reach the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue.
In this massage, the therapist applies pressure on the skin through slow but firm strokes that target deep tissues.
So while the strokes used in a deep tissue massage are similar to those used in a Swedish massage, here the strokes will be applied more forcefully.
A deep tissue massage mainly works out deep muscle tension or helps in recovery from a muscle strain.
It specifically targets knots in the muscles that are believed to be caused due to tension within the muscle fibre, by overuse of muscles or poor posture.
A deep tissue massage relieves sore knots and provides pain relief making this the best body massage for when you haven’t been very active for a long time..
4. Aromatherapy massage
Aromatherapy is a type of massage that involves the use of various types of essential oils during the actual massage. Essential oils were first used in ancient Egypt thousands of years ago in aromatic baths and scented massages.
The oils are massaged onto your body in gentle strokes to help you relax.
Different essential oils perform different functions. For instance, cypress is said to relieve muscle pain, while tea tree oil boosts the immune system.
Chamomile and lavender are known to have a calming effect on your body and coriander benefits the circulatory and digestive system.
Sometimes, the massage therapist will also use scented candles and essential oils to create a soothing ambience during the massage.
5. Thai massage
Many consider a Thai massage to be the best body massage because it helps boost blood flow in your body, increases flexibility and the range of motion in your joints.
While other massages tend to focus on relaxation and unwinding, a Thai massage does all that and also works to activate the body.
During a Thai massage, a therapist applies pressure to acupuncture points to stretch and twist the body into different positions to increase its flexibility.
A Thai massage is based on the belief that energy moves through the body along predictable pathways known as sen lines. Different kinds of yoga stretching movements are also incorporated to increase the flow of energy along the sen lines as well as to stretch and loosen muscles.
This is a dry massage because a traditional Thai massage does not use any oils.
6. Craniosacral massage
Among the many different types of body massage techniques, this one focuses on the bones of the head and of the spinal column.
The therapist applies light pressure to the skull and the spine to improve the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid. This helps realign the central nervous system and also promotes the body’s natural central nervous processes.
The treatment first begins on a massage chair where the therapist will work on your skull and neck. It then moves to the massage table for the back and spinal column.
Of all the different types of massages, craniosacral massages are particularly best to treat or manage migraines, other types of headaches, constipation, fibromyalgia, disturbed sleep cycles, irritable bowel syndrome, scoliosis, sinus infections, and neck pain.
What is the best body massage?
The best body massage is the one that is best for your specific needs. All massages can be relaxing but it’s important to pick the right one else you will feel shortchanged and thereby not sufficiently relaxed.
A hot stone massage is great when you’re not looking for anything vigorous but rather something therapeutic.
A Swedish massage is also quite relaxing, especially, after a workout as the kneading movements help the muscles relax.
A deep tissue massage may be good for an athlete but may not be the best idea if you don’t like a lot of pressure. In which case it could end up distressing you, instead of de-stressing you.
In which case you must consider Aromatherapy massage, which is gentle and a lot easier on the muscles.
Thai massage includes acupressure so if you don’t your pressure points being pushed, you would do best to avoid it.
Craniosacral massage is the only non full body massage in this list and is targetted primarily at aches and pains in the head, neck, and face area but also works for other symptoms.
Before you select one from any of the different types of massages, it is best that you ask yourself what is it that you are looking for from a massage. And even during the massage, it is crucial that you keep giving your therapist constant feedback so you can make the most of your session.
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