You will find various kinds of massage, each with their particular benefits to alleviate stress, pain or enhance general wellbeing. Massage is a historical art with many variations with regards to the country of origin. I explore a number of the most popular, explaining the therapy and their individual benefits.
Swedish Massage
Swedish massage, the most popular worldwide, can be referred to as ‘Classic massage’ and is the building blocks for most other types of Western massage. It involves using firm but gentle pressure to promote relaxation, working on aspects of specific muscle tension. It is performed 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 increases the speed body cells can eliminate their waste materials.
Deep Tissue Massage, whilst the name implies, is targeted on the deeper layers of muscle tissue. Unlike Swedish massage, that is employed for relaxation, deep tissue massage is targeted on a certain problem, such as for example: Chronic pain. It treats the connective tissue of the body rather than just 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 ease in and from the muscle. Desire to of deep tissue massage is not to leave 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 is targeted 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 create body tissues to normal state. Restorative – during training allows athletes to teach harder and minimise potential for injury. Rehabilitative – directed at alleviating pain due to injury. A sports massage is a good choice when 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 along with reduces the likelihood of injury.
Indian Head Massage is just a very relaxing treatment which, whilst the name suggests, is targeted on massaging the head. Indian Head Massage (Champissage) also incorporates massage of the shoulders, upper arms, neck, scalp, face and ears. The procedure uses a variety of different movements including deep kneading and compression movements within the neck, shoulder and scalp areas. Performed sitting upright in a couch, it helps to clear the mind 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 based on the concept that 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 placed on 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 increases the flow of vital energy to differing of the body along with releases endorphins (the body’s natural pain killers)
Hot stone massage combines the proven advantages of Swedish massage with the deep heat and pressure provided by utilizing warm basalt stones and soothing oils to relax the muscles, enabling a further and more intense all-over massage. The stones are used as tools to supply effective tissue and muscle massage at light, medium or deep pressure levels in treating sore muscles, back pain, stress and other common ailments. Benefits are the restoration of the body’s natural balance, deep muscle relaxation, improved circulation and the impression of all 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 건마 incorporating pressure, holding, rubbing, heating or stretching movements which is often deep and firm. Usually performed on a ground mat or futon, Shiatsu is just 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 along with increasing mental and spiritual awareness.
Neuromuscular Massage
Neuromuscular massage therapy is just 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 after a muscle spasms – it is not in the entire muscle, in a centralized area within the muscle. When blood flow to that area is decreased it could then reverberate to other aspects 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 applying pressure to the trigger point for many seconds, the lactic acid build-up at the trigger point is dispersed. This relaxes the muscles by increasing the blood flow and oxygen available in their mind, which releases lactic acid and thus the cause of pain, via the nervous system. Muscle pain and soreness are neutralized by repeated concentrated pressure within the trigger points.
The massage is normally carried out with the mother on her behalf side using special pillows to put her body for the maximum 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 included with 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 extremely effective in relaxing and healing the mind, body and spirit and is often called a really relaxing and rejuvenating experience. The oils are the main part of the treatment, chosen due to their therapeutic effect, and not merely the fragrance to “therapeutically” stimulate the nasal/olfactory senses. They’re administered as incense, oil diffusers, or scented oils applied straight to the body, with regards to the need.