Types of Massage
Though massage started through “touch” aimed to give comfort, it has progressed into a major part of holistic healing therapy. There are various kinds of massage techniques and strokes practiced depending on the need.
The massage therapist may use any style of massage depending on the need of the individual. Some popular types of massage therapies are:
Deep Tissue Massage
This massage technique focuses on the deeper tissues of muscles and connective tissues. The massage therapist uses slow strokes and deep finger pressure. This releases the body tension as the pressure flows across the grain of muscles, tendons and fascia.
Swedish Massage
This European massage is a popular, mild and soothing massage technique also called as Swedish Movement Treatment. This is commonly done using soft, long flowing strokes, kneading i.e .make round movements on the surface of the muscle with massage oil or lotion. Creams, lotions or massage oils are applied on the skin to reduce friction and allow smooth strokes. Traditional Swedish massage uses five main strokes; namely Effleurage, Petrissage, Friction, Tapotement and Vibration or Shaking and their many variations to relax and heal. For first timers, this type of massage therapy is recommended.
Sports Massage
Sports massage combines different massage techniques and forms an integral part of any sports training program. It is increasingly recognized as a highly specialized area of massage which aids recovery from injury and enhances sports performance. This focuses on specific muscle systems related to a particular sport. Only qualified sports massage therapists should administer this particular type of massage. If sports massage is administered incorrectly, it could have serious repercussions.
Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger Point Therapy is also referred to as TPT, neuromuscular therapy or myotherapy. TPT relieves muscle spasms and pain by applying finger pressure to painful and irritated areas in specific muscle segments. In Trigger Point Therapy, the pressure applied pushes blood and fluids out of the area of trigger point for 10-15 seconds.
Trigger point therapy makes use of the principle that unexplained pain radiates from hyper irritable tender spots (points) in the skeletal muscles. Muscle pain in one location is associated with trigger points which may be located at another place. Massage therapists and Chiropractors find this theory useful but medical science has not accepted trigger point therapy. There is no clear explanation about how trigger points arise or why they have a specific pattern.
Aromatherapy Massage
Aromatherapy massage involves a combination of specific massage techniques with therapeutic essential oils to promote good health and well being. The aromatherapy oils used during massage help to deal with specific health problems such as reduce stress, treat arthritis, respiratory disorders and so on.
Reflexology
Reflexology massage therapy means the use of finger and thumb pressure on the reflex points of the feet which are believed to correspond to all the areas of the body. This helps to achieve balance within the body.
Pregnancy Massage
Pregnancy Massage Therapy helps to prevent or eliminate the negative effects of pregnancy. Pregnancy is associated with fatigue, neck pain, back ache, shoulder pain, varicose veins, mood swings and depression associated with hormonal imbalance, headache, pain or discomfort associated with morning sickness, discomfort during labor and birth process. Pregnancy Massage is beneficial to deal with these pregnancy symptoms and is of great benefit to the mother as well as her baby in the womb.
Massage destresses and relaxes the mother. This is because massage increases lymphatic circulation and enhances blood flow to all areas in the body.
This means more nutrients are supplied to tissues in the body and there is better waste removal. Both these are essential for development of a healthy baby.
Stress relief is important because stress increases likelihood of premature labor due to build of abdominal levels of toxins and chemicals in both the mother and her womb.
Finally, massage increases the mother’s awareness of her body and increases her inability to listen to its messages during labor and birth.
Oriental Therapies
Oriental massage therapies treat points along the acupressure meridians i.e. invisible energy channels which flow in the body. Therapists believe that energy is blocked along these meridians can cause discomfort. The aim of oriental therapies like acupressure and shiatsu massage is to release the blockages to provide relief from discomfort and re-balance energy flow in the body.
