6 of the Best Massage Styles Revealed

Massage has been practiced since primitive times and massage has also been admired for thousands of health benefits. With over 80 different massage therapy styles having varied pressure, movements, and techniques; choosing the best one is quite difficult.

                

Massage includes applying pressure, rubbing, or manipulating muscles and other soft tissues using specific hand movement techniques. This natural treatment can heal injuries, eliminates health complexities, and improves overall wellness. Below is the detailed information about different types of massage that can work for you.

Styles used in massage therapy can be long, even strokes to short, percussive ones. Some masseurs use oils and lotions, whereas others do not. The whole therapy session can last from 5 minutes to 2 hours.

Before deciding the right massage style that can work well for you, ask yourself whether you want a massage for relaxation, stress control, or eliminating some health issues? You can discuss your problem with a professional to get the right direction.

Swedish Massage: This is the most common one, involving soft, long, kneading strokes, and light, recurring strokes on topmost muscles’ layers. It can release muscle tension, thus relaxing and energizing you. This massage can heal injuries as well. There are four prime strokes of Swedish massage, including:

1. Effleurage: A smooth, slithering stroke to relax soft tissue.

2. Petrissage: The hugging, and continuing massage that follows effleurage.

3. Friction: Profound, circular movements causing layers of tissue to rub against each other, thereby, increasing blood flow and breaking down scar tissue.

4. Tapotement: A short, irregular tap done with cupped hands, fingers, or the hands’ edge.

Neuromuscular Massage: It is a form of soft tissue manipulation, treating original causes of chronic pain involving the muscular and nervous systems. It addresses tender muscles points, nerve compression, circulation, postural issues, and biomechanical glitches that can be due to repetitive movement injuries.

Deep Tissue Massage: It can heal certain painful, and stiff areas in your body. The massage therapist uses slow and deliberate strokes, focusing on layers of muscles, tendons, and other deep tissues. This type of massage can ease acute patterns of tension and aids in muscle injuries as well.

Sports Massage: This massage therapy is designed for athletes to ease muscle tension and body stiffness. Players undergo a massage session before, during, or after sports events. The specific hand movement can promote flexibility and prevent injuries. This is must for every player to fasten efficiency and performance.

Chair Massage: Ever gone to a music festival, county fair, or conference and coveted other people getting chair massages? This natural human-like touch can eliminate all the body discomforts. People who have experienced chair massage got relief from pain in neck, shoulders, back, arms, and hands.

Hot Stone Massage: Warmed stones are placed on specific areas of the body to eliminate body pain, muscle tensions, and stress. It can be quite soothing and relaxing by transmitting heat deep into the body.

These are some of the different types of massage. Try something new!