You can find various kinds of massage, each with their own benefits to alleviate stress, pain or enhance general wellbeing. Massage is an old art with many variations with respect to the country of origin. I explore a number of the most used, explaining the treatment and their individual benefits.
Swedish Massage
Swedish massage, the most used worldwide, is also referred to as ‘Classic massage’ and is the foundation for most other kinds of Western massage. It involves using firm but gentle pressure to market relaxation, working on regions of specific muscle tension. It is conducted 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 level of oxygen in the blood, it escalates the speed body cells can eliminate their waste materials.
Deep Tissue Massage, while the name implies, is targeted on the deeper layers of muscle tissue. Unlike Swedish massage, which can be used for relaxation, deep tissue massage is targeted on a certain problem, such as: Chronic pain. It treats the connective tissue of your body rather than just the outer lining muscles. It resembles Swedish massage but with slower movements and deeper pressure. Deep tissue massage really helps to refresh and relax muscles, increasing the blood flow and which means oxygen flow across the body. A heavy tissue massage is very slow using long, flowing strokes to help ease in and out of the muscle. Desire to of deep tissue massage is to not give you feeling relaxed and blissful; rather, it really helps to tackle particular physical, muscular problems to alleviate pain and restore normal movement.
Sports Massage
Sports massage was made for athletes, but is suited to anyone with chronic pain, injury or range-of-motion problems. It is targeted on the prevention and healing of injuries to muscles and tendons. Sports Massage differs from therapeutic massage in that it is a deeper form of soft tissue massage using specific techniques to treat physically active individuals.
The different types of massage include: Post-event – to create body tissues to normal state. Restorative – during training allows athletes to coach harder and minimise possibility of injury. Rehabilitative – directed at alleviating pain due to injury. 건마 A sports massage is a great choice if you have a certain 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 in addition to reduces the possibility of injury.
Indian Head Massage is a very relaxing treatment which, while the name suggests, is targeted on massaging the head. Indian Head Massage (Champissage) also includes massage of the shoulders, upper arms, neck, scalp, face and ears. The treatment uses a range of different movements including deep kneading and compression movements over the neck, shoulder and scalp areas. Performed sitting upright in a couch, it really helps to clear your head because 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 based on the concept there are “reflex” areas on the feet and hands that match specific organs, glands, and the rest of the body. The underlying theory is when pressure is applied to a certain 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 use 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 escalates the flow of vital energy to parts of your body in addition to releases endorphins (the body’s natural pain killers)
Hot stone massage combines the proven great things about Swedish massage with the deep heat and pressure provided by utilizing warm basalt stones and soothing oils to relax the muscles, permitting a deeper and more intense all-over massage. The stones are employed as tools to provide 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 sensation of over comfort and warmth.
Shiatsu, also referred to as acupressure, is a hand pressure massage which involves acupressure techniques (without the needles) using hand, thumbs, elbows and knees incorporating pressure, holding, rubbing, heating or stretching movements which may be 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 your body into balance, energetically and physically. Shiatsu massage is most beneficial noted for relief of stress-related symptoms such as headaches and general muscle tension in addition to increasing mental and spiritual awareness.
Neuromuscular Massage
Neuromuscular massage therapy is a deep form of tissue massage for reducing muscle pain through the stimulation of circulation to the nervous system. The theory behind neuromuscular massage is that after a muscle spasms – it is not in the entire muscle, but in a centralized area within the muscle. When blood flow compared to that area is decreased it could then reverberate to other regions of the muscle, causing pain.
This treatment involves using static pressure centered on a certain area called a trigger point and does not involve massage of the entire body. By making use of pressure to the trigger point for a number of 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 cause of pain, via the nervous system. Muscle pain and soreness are neutralized by repeated concentrated pressure over the trigger points.
The massage is generally carried out with the mother on her side using special pillows to put her body for the maximum comfort. Also referred to as pre-natal massage, the treatment helps with relaxation, reduces stress and relieves strained back and leg muscles to fix 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 added to 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 referred to as an extremely relaxing and rejuvenating experience. The oils are the most crucial part of the treatment, chosen due to their therapeutic effect, and not only the fragrance to “therapeutically” stimulate the nasal/olfactory senses. They are administered as incense, oil diffusers, or scented oils applied right to your body, with respect to the need.