Types Of Massage And Their Benefits

We’re not going to beat around the bush here. If there’s one thing we do well, it’s massage. A massage at home – even better. Over the years, we’ve had many questions including “what is the best massage for me?” and “what’s the difference between Swedish and Shiatsu?”. We’re going to answer all of those questions with a quick know-how guide to massages. Dampening the body’s flight-or-fight response and activating dominance in its rest-and-restore system, massage can help to reduce stress; relaxes joints and muscles and has an array of health benefits.

Swedish Massage

Based on Western concepts of physiology and anatomy, the Swedish massage is the most commonly encountered technique and the foundation of other massage types, including sports, aromatherapy and deep tissue massages.
Warming muscle tissue, breaking up adhered tissue or muscle ‘knots’ and releasing tension, a Swedish massage eases tension, reduces stress and promotes relaxation, as well as decreasing muscle toxins, increasing oxygen levels in the blood and improving flexibility and circulation.

Deep Tissue Massage

Aimed at deeper muscle and fascia tissue structures (connective tissue), deep tissue massage uses similar techniques/movements to those of Swedish massage, but is typically more focused and uses more intense pressure. Deep tissue massage can help to:

  • Treat Lower Back Pain
  • Reduce Anxiety, Stress and Muscle Tension
  • Lower Blood Pressure
  • Break up Scar Tissue
  • Improve Athletes’ Performance and Recovery
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    Shiatsu

    Based on Chinese medicine and influenced by Western techniques, Shiatsu uses touch, manipulative techniques and comfortable pressure to provide a deeply relaxing experience. It can be used to treat chronic conditions including, for instance, PMS, headaches and digestive disorders; insomnia, fatigue and fibromyalgia; anxiety, stress and musculoskeletal pain (joint, lower back and neck pain).

    Hot Stone Massage

    Involving positioning of warmed stones on varying parts of a client’s body to maximise therapeutic effect, hot stone massage provides muscle relaxation, pain relief and improved circulation, as well as easing mental tension and stress and combatting symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders.

    Reflexology

    Reflexology, a complementary, non-intrusive therapy is based on a theory that varying points on the ears, face and hands; lower legs and feet correspond with different body areas. Involving a therapist applying pressure to the required points (depending on desired effects), reflexology is believed to help:

  • Stimulate Nerve/Central Nervous System Function
  • Boost Circulation
  • Increase Energy
  • Eliminate Toxins
  • Prevent migraines
  • Clean up urinary tract issues
  • Speed recovery after surgery or injury
  • Relieve sleep disorders
  • Reduces depression
  • Relieve pain
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    Thai Massage

    Using deep pressure techniques, manipulations and stretches, Thai massage offers a deeply relaxing experience and can help to:

  • Provide relief from IBS, constipation and headaches; sciatica, neck and back pain; muscle and joint pain
  • Improve lymphatic and blood circulation
  • Strengthen the immune system
  • Detoxify
  • Increase motility
  • Relieve stress
  • Strengthen and harmonise the nervous system