You can find many types of massage, each with their own benefits to alleviate stress, pain or enhance general wellbeing. Massage is a historical art with many variations depending on the country of origin. I explore some of typically the most popular, explaining the therapy and their individual benefits.
Swedish Massage
Swedish massage, typically the most popular worldwide, can also be referred to as ‘Classic massage’ and is the foundation for almost every other kinds of Western massage. It involves using firm but gentle pressure to market relaxation, taking care of aspects of specific muscle tension. It is completed on bare skin using oils or lotions. The therapist uses their hands, forearms or elbows to govern the superficial layers of the muscles. Swedish massage shortens recovery time from muscular strain by flushing the tissues of lactic acid, uric acid, and other metabolic wastes by increasing the amount of oxygen in the blood, it increases the speed body cells can eliminate their waste materials.
Deep Tissue Massage, while the name implies, centers on the deeper layers of muscle tissue. Unlike Swedish massage, which will be useful for relaxation, deep tissue massage centers on a particular problem, such as for example: Chronic pain. It treats the connective tissue of the body rather than the surface muscles. It resembles Swedish massage but with slower movements and deeper pressure. Deep tissue massage helps to refresh and relax muscles, increasing the blood flow and therefore the oxygen flow across the body. A deep tissue massage is quite slow using long, flowing strokes to help relieve in and from the muscle. Desire to of deep tissue massage is to not make you feeling relaxed and blissful; rather, it helps to tackle particular physical, muscular problems to alleviate pain and restore normal movement.
Sports Massage
Sports massage was made for athletes, but is suitable for anyone with chronic pain, injury or range-of-motion problems. It centers on the prevention and healing of injuries to muscles and tendons. Sports Massage differs from therapeutic massage in that it is a further kind of soft tissue massage using specific techniques to treat physically active individuals.
The various kinds of massage include: Post-event – to bring body tissues to normal state. Restorative – during training allows athletes to coach harder and minimise possibility of injury. Rehabilitative – targeted at alleviating pain due to injury. A sports massage is a great choice when you yourself have a particular problem sustained through sport. It stimulates circulation of blood and lymph fluids which allows for optimal metabolic exchanges, enhanced recovery after intense training, better performance and decreased onset of muscle soreness as well as reduces the possibility of injury.
Indian Head Massage is a very relaxing treatment which, while the name suggests, centers on massaging the head. Indian Head Massage (Champissage) also includes massage of the shoulders, upper arms, neck, scalp, face and ears. The procedure uses a range of different movements including deep kneading and compression movements over the neck, shoulder and scalp areas. Performed sitting upright in a seat, it helps to clear your head as it revitalizes and improves alertness and concentration levels, whilst improving joint mobility and flexibility in the neck and shoulders.
Reflexology Massage
Reflexology, also referred to as zone therapy, is on the basis of the concept that there are “reflex” areas on the feet and hands that match specific organs, glands, and other areas of the body. The underlying theory is that when pressure is put on a particular reflex area, it affects the organ represented.
This seated treatment involves applying pressure to “Zone” areas on the feet and hands with specific thumb, finger and hand techniques without the usage of oil or lotion. Reflexology stimulates internal organs, boosts circulation and can restore bodily functions to normal. Reflexology promotes healing by stimulating the foot, which increases the flow of vital energy to parts of the body as well as releases endorphins (the body’s natural pain killers)
Hot stone massage combines the proven benefits of Swedish massage with the deep heat and pressure provided by utilizing warm basalt stones and soothing oils to relax the muscles, allowing for a further and more intense all-over massage. The stones are utilized as tools to deliver effective tissue and muscle massage at light, medium or deep pressure levels in the treatment of sore muscles, back pain, stress and other common ailments. Benefits range from the restoration of the body’s natural balance, deep muscle relaxation, improved circulation and the feeling of all over comfort and warmth.
Shiatsu, also referred to as acupressure, is a finger pressure massage which involves acupressure techniques (without the needles) using hand, thumbs, elbows and knees incorporating pressure, holding, rubbing, heating or 건마 stretching movements which is often deep and firm. Usually performed on a floor mat or futon, Shiatsu is a deeply relaxing experience which stimulates the body’s own healing systems and brings the body into balance, energetically and physically. Shiatsu massage is best noted for relief of stress-related symptoms such as for example headaches and general muscle tension as well as increasing mental and spiritual awareness.
Neuromuscular Massage
Neuromuscular massage therapy is a deep kind of tissue massage for reducing muscle pain through the stimulation of circulation to the nervous system. The idea behind neuromuscular massage is that when a muscle spasms – it’s not in the entire muscle, however in a centralized area within the muscle. When blood flow compared to that area is decreased it may then reverberate to other aspects of the muscle, causing pain.
This treatment involves using static pressure centered on a particular area called a trigger point and doesn’t involve massage of the entire body. By making use of pressure to the trigger point for all seconds, the lactic acid build-up at the trigger point is dispersed. This relaxes the muscles by increasing the blood flow and oxygen available for them, which releases lactic acid and thus the reason for pain, via the nervous system. Muscle pain and soreness are neutralized by repeated concentrated pressure over the trigger points.
The massage is usually carried out with the mother on her behalf side using special pillows to position her body for the greatest comfort. Also referred to as pre-natal massage, the therapy helps with relaxation, reduces stress and relieves strained back and leg muscles to correct the posture and reduce back strain. Pregnancy massage aids the circulatory and lymphatic systems, which allows healthy blood flow to the mother and her baby.
Aromatherapy Massage
Aromatherapy massage uses highly concentrated plant oils, referred to as essential oils, which are put into the massage oil or lotion. This technique combines the natural therapeutic properties of essential oils and the healing power of massage therapy. It can be quite effective in relaxing and healing your head, body and spirit and is usually called an extremely relaxing and rejuvenating experience. The oils are the most important part of the treatment, chosen for their therapeutic effect, and not only the fragrance to “therapeutically” stimulate the nasal/olfactory senses. They’re administered as incense, oil diffusers, or scented oils applied directly to the body, depending on the need.