Types of Massage

There are countless different kinds of Massage techniques and specialties. At Better Body Spa, our therapists combines different techniques to better address our clients likes and needs.

Most Common Types of Massage Therapy

• Swedish: The most common type of massage, usually more gentle and relaxing.Massage therapists use long smooth strokes, kneading, and circular movements on superficial layers of muscle using massage lotion or oil.

• Deep tissue: this modality targets the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue. The massage therapist uses slower strokes or friction techniques across the grain of the muscle. Deep tissue massage is used for chronically tight muscles, repetitive strain, postural problems, or recovery from injury. People often feel sore for one to two days after deep tissue massage.
  

• Sports Massage: this modality is designed for people who are involved in physical activity. But you don’t have to be a professional athlete to have one-it’s also used by people who are active and work out often. The focus isn’t on relaxation but on preventing and treating injury and enhancing athletic performance.A combination of techniques are used. The strokes are generally faster than Swedish massage. Facilitated stretching is a common technique. It helps to loosen muscles and increase flexibility.

• Chair Massage: Often found in events, malls and airport, this massage is performed on the client fully clothed and seated in a special portable chair. The therapist focus more on the back and neck area.

• Aromatherapy: is a massage with the addition of one or more essential oils. The massage therapist can select oils that are relaxing, energizing, stress-reducing, balancing, etc.

• Hot Stone: The massage therapist holds heated volcanic stones and apply gentle pressure and gliding strokes with them. The heat penetrates the muscles, helping relieve the tension.

• Pregnancy/Prenatal Massage: Pregnancy massage is used to reduce stress, decrease swelling, relieve aches and pains, and reduce anxiety and depression. The massage is customized to a woman’s individual needs.

• Reflexology: sometimes called foot massage, it is more than simple foot massage. Reflexology involves applying pressure to certain points on the foot that correspond to organs and systems in the body. Reflexology is very relaxing, especially for people who stand on their feet all day or just have tired, achy feet.

• Lymphatic Drainage: is a form of very light massage that stimulates lymph flow in the body. It is particularly good for detoxification, edema, pre- and post plastic surgery and post-liposuction. Lymphatic drainage massage improves the function of the lymphatic system, which helps to remove and filter waste, toxins and excess fluid from the body.

• Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy: Ashiatsu is a type of massage in which the therapist walks on the client’s back, using bars and other props for support to vary pressure and weight. This modality has its roots in Asia, but today, several different versions of Ashiatsu massage are practiced around the world.

• Neuromuscular Therapy: NMT differs from regular, relaxation massage because it not only deals with the muscles, ligaments, and soft tissues of the body, but also with the nervous system. NMT is highly effective for clients who present with chronic pain and is often successful in reducing or eliminating even longstanding painful conditions.

• Trigger Point Therapy: this massage consists of alternating levels of concentrated pressure on the areas of muscle spasm. The pressure is usually applied with the fingers, knuckles, or elbow.

Source: http://altmedicine.about.com/od/massage/a/massage_types.htm