Types Of Massage And Their Benefits

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

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

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