Massage has been used since the beginning of time. If you’re in need of or desire a massage, you have the option of choosing from around 80 different massage styles that offer various methods, pressures and techniques. All of them require pressing, rubbing or manipulating muscles or other soft tissues using fingers and hands. Sometimes, forearms feet, or elbows are employed.
Based on the American Massage Therapy Association, in the year 2018, 19 percent of Americans experienced some type or form of massage.. They are able to provide a variety of motives for having it. Many people -especially baby boomers are recognizing the health advantages of massage. They pick from a variety types of massage to relieve from ailments or injuries, help specific health issues and promote general wellness.
Here’s information that you can utilize to determine which types of massage that will be most beneficial for you.
Which Massage Styles are the most effective?
You might have noticed that different types of massage are in vogue at various periods. You may have thought that each was an occasional trend or the most current, effective massage technique? More important, how do you know if the most recent style can actually benefit you?
The techniques used in massage therapy Vancouver near me vary from smooth, long strokes to quick percussive, squeezing strokes. Certain massage therapists employ lotions and oils, while others don’t. Many massage therapists require clients to who are dressed in a robe for massages however, some don’t. The duration of a massage can range between 5 minutes and two hours.
Before you decide what type of massage is right for you, it is important to ask yourself questions. Are you just looking for an hour of relaxation or anxiety control? Do you require relief from symptoms or assistance for a specific health issue? Before you book a massage, inform the therapist about the specifics of your needs and inquire about the style that the therapist is using. A lot of massage therapists employ different styles. Therapists can also tailor the massage based on your condition, age or any other special requirements or goals you’ve got.
The following is a listing of the most popular massage therapies. These four styles are the most well-known.
Swedish Massage
The most well-known kind for massage therapy is Swedish treatment. It involves long, soft strokes of kneading, along with taps that are light and rhythmic strokes on the top layer of muscles. The treatment is further complemented by movements of joints. In reducing muscles tension Swedish therapies can become simultaneously relaxing and stimulating. It could even be helpful following an injury.
Four strokes that are common to Swedish massage include:
Effleurage: a smoothand glide stroke to ease tension in soft tissue
Petrissage: the squeeze or rolling that comes after effleurage
Friction is a series of deep, circular motions which cause tissues to rub against one another and help boost blood flow and reduce scar tissue
Tapotement: a quick tapping that alternates using fingers, fingers or the edge of the palm
Deep Tissue Massage
Massage that is deep tissue ideal for focusing on certain pain-producing, stiff “trouble places” within your body. The massage therapist employs gentle, controlled strokes that apply pressure to the layers of tendons, muscles, or other tissues that lie beneath the skin. Although it is not as rhythmic as other forms of massage, deep tissue massage could be therapeutic, alleviating tension patterns that are persistent and assisting with injuries to muscles such as back sprains.
Sports Massage
Created to aid in the development of muscles that are involved in specific sports and sport, sports massage employs different methods to assist athletes in their training — prior to or during sporting events. You could use it to increase flexibility and to prevent injuries. Also, it can assist with muscle strains, assisting recovery after an injury from sports.
Chair Massage
Have you ever been to a fair, music festival or a conference and envied attendees who were getting massages? You’ve passed by the massage area in the airport? Perhaps you’re fortunate enough to work for an organization that provides 15-20 minutes of massages as a benefit on a regular basis. In the workplace, massages for chairs are performed while sitting completely clothed in a mobile chair that is specially designed. They typically require a massage of your shoulders, neck and back, as well as arms and hands.
Shiatsu Massage
In Japanese, shiatsu means “finger pressure.” In shiatsu massage the therapist employs a variety of and rhythmic pressure on specific points on the body. These are known as Acupressure Points, and they believe to be vital to the flow of body’s vital energy called Chi. The shiatsu massage technique is said to aid in removing blockages from these points of acupressure.
Thai Massage
In the course of a Thai massage the therapist uses their body to help the client move through a variety of positions. The type of massage used is the compression of muscles, the mobilization of joints and Acupressure.
Lymphatic Drainage Massage
The lymphatic drainage is relaxing massage of your tissues to improve the circulation of lymph fluids throughout your body. Lymph is a rich, protein-rich fluid that circulates through the body through lymph vessels. It sifts out things like viruses, bacteria and waste and then transports them to your lymph nodes. The lymph nodes then clean the fluid to remove the contaminants out of your body. The massage is generally carried out using light pressure, with soft, lengthy strokes on the skin to improve the flow of lymph throughout your system.
Hot Stone Massage
To perform this type treatment, the massage therapist puts heated stones on specific areas in the body for instance, Acupressure points. They can be utilized as massage tools or placed in place for a short period of time. In conjunction with other massage techniques the hot stones are comforting and relaxing since they transfer heat to the body.
Reflexology
Reflexology employs thumb, hand and finger exercises to stimulate specific regions of the feet. These are believed to correspond with different areas that make up the human body. Massage therapy, in turn is believed to improve wellbeing and health.
Pregnancy Massage
During the course of pregnancy the body experiences significant changes. Massage can assist with these changes by reducing stress, reducing swelling in the legs and arms as well as alleviating joint and muscle discomfort. Massage is particularly beneficial at a time when medications and other medical treatments might be less effective. With specially-designed massage pillows, the therapist can help you get in a position that is comfortable to receive this kind of massage.
What are the health benefits of massage?
Massage can provide advantages that go beyond relaxation. Here are a few ailments that can get relief from massaging. Consult your physician before applying massage to any health problem, but.
Back back pain. Numerous studies have proven the effectiveness of massage therapy to relieve back discomfort.
Headache. Another kind of painheadache reacts well to massage. Certain studies have suggested that massage therapy may lower the number of migraines that a person suffers and enhance sleep.
Osteoarthritis. In the initial clinical study investigating the efficacy of Swedish massage to treat knee osteoarthritis. Participants who were treated for a one-hour session every two or three times a week saw improvement in stiffness, pain and performance. The group that received no massage had similar improvement.
Cancer. As a complement to conventional, Western medical treatments, massage may help to relax and decrease the symptoms of cancer or adverse negative effects of treatments. Massage may reduce the symptoms of fatigue, swelling, pain and nausea as well as depression for instance or enhance the functioning the immune system. However, there are some areas which a massage therapist must stay clear of when treating cancer patients and also instances that massage should be avoided entirely. Consult your physician prior to having massage therapy if are suffering from cancer.
Depression. A study of 17 clinical studies found that massage therapy could assist in the reduction of depression. For generalized anxiety disorders it was not more efficient than providing a calm atmosphere and breathing exercises.
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- March 26, 2025 3:00 pm