Massage can offer both physical and psychological benefits for people suffering from stress, fatigue, and different types of pain. It also improves your overall health and wellbeing by boosting your immune system to fight against disease-causing microorganisms. There are many different types of massage, which use distinct techniques to achieve your primary goal of having a massage.
Some people go for a massage to help relieve pain, stress, injuries, and other medical issues such as arthritis. Other types of massage aim to promote relaxation and improve the overall health of an individual. This article looks at the best type of massage based on your reasons for having a massage and what you intend to benefit after the session.
- Treating Pain and Specific Conditions
- Trigger Point Massage
Trigger point massage focuses on certain areas of your body rather than the whole body. First, your therapist pinpoints the affected muscles on your body before coaxing them with deep pressure to relieve pain and promote relaxation. Trigger points are spots on your body that cause pain upon touch or when compressed. They often occur because of trauma to the muscle fibers. This type of massage is used to treat pain-related conditions such as tension, chronic muscle pain, and arthritis.
- Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage is not for everyone as it involves the use of deep pressure onto specific trouble points on your body. Sometimes it usually feels like being tortured on purpose when your therapist pushes into your knotted muscle with a considerable amount of strength. However, deep tissue massage is a specific methodical treatment for stiff and painful trouble spots like the neck and shoulder. Due to the amount of pressure applied, deep tissue massage is not a type of massage you ask for if you are expecting to feel relaxed during the therapy session.
- Stress Relief and Relaxation
- Swedish Massage
Swedish massage is one of the most popular types of massage therapy that leaves you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated after the session. It uses basic movements such as rhythmic tapping, muscle kneading and rolling, and long sweeping strokes. Swedish massage is best for people experiencing stress and depression, looking for relaxation, or want to relieve tense and cramped muscles.
- Chair Massage
For chair massage, you do not have to remove your clothes or have oils smeared all over your body. All you need to do is to sit on a chair while facing forward to allow the therapist to massage your neck, back, and shoulder. Since this type of massage is often done in public places such as nail parlors, barbershops, or at the airport, you may find it very distracting. It is not very relaxing like a Swedish massage because you do not get a thorough full body massage.
- Hot Stone Massage
This type of massage involves the use of small hot stones that are weighted down on your body. The therapist uses these stones to massage your body. Hot stone massage is more relaxing than other types of massage because the heat from the stones improves blood circulation and releases tension in your back and shoulders.
- Overall Health and Rejuvenation
- Sports Massage
Sports massage was specifically designed for people who are actively involved in sports. It combines various techniques from Swedish massage and other techniques while concentrating on the areas of your body that are actively related to your current sport. Athletes often have a sports massage to treat and prevent future injuries, and prepare for peak performance. This type of massage helps to break down scar tissues, improve blood circulation and stretch muscle tissues. All these attributes help to reduce pain, relax muscles, and enhance your range of motion, which promotes better performance when you are back in season.
- Thai Massage
Thai massage is one of the most rejuvenating types of massages that has a significant effect on your entire body. Besides the hands-on techniques used in other types of massage, Thai massage involves the use of yoga-like stretches, which can be both energizing and relaxing. It is best for increasing flexibility, improving energy, and boosting your overall health and wellbeing.
All the above types of massage offer substantial benefits based on your reasons for having a massage. It is important to discuss with your therapist about the areas you need to work on regardless of the type of massage you opt for so that they can customize the treatment to suit your preferences. It is also necessary to tell your therapist about any health issues or underlying medical conditions before the massage so that they can adjust their techniques for better results.