A brief description of the most common styles of Massage:
If you are new to massage, or even if your not, here is a very brief overview of the different styles of massage:
SWEDISH RELAXATION: **This is the most common massage**
This style of massage involves softer and longer in duration kneading strokes, as well as light, rhythmic, tapping strokes or gliding fingertip strokes, on the top layers of muscle. This is also combined with movement and stretching of the joints. By relieving muscle tension, Swedish therapy can be both relaxing and energizing depending on what you require.The four common strokes of Swedish massage are:
Effleurage: a smooth, gliding stroke used to relax soft tissue
Petrissage: the squeezing, rolling, or kneading that follows effleurage
Friction: deep, circular movements that cause layers of tissue to rub against each other, helping to increase blood flow and break down scar tissue
Tapotement: a short, alternating tap done with cupped hands, fingers, or the edge of the hand
NEUROMUSCULAR THERAPY MASSAGE:
Neuromuscular therapy is a form of soft tissue manipulation that aims to treat underlying causes of chronic pain involving the muscular and nervous systems. This medically-oriented form of massage addresses trigger points (tender muscles points), circulation, nerve compression, postural issues, and biomechanical problems that can be caused by repetitive movement injuries
DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE:
Deep tissue massage is best for giving attention to certain painful, stiff “trouble spots” in your body. The massage therapist uses slow, deliberate strokes that focus pressure on layers of muscles, tendons, or other tissues deep under your skin. Though less rhythmic than other types of massage, deep tissue massage can be quite therapeutic — relieving chronic patterns of tension and helping with muscle injuries, such as back sprain.
SPORTS MASSAGE:
Developed to help with muscle systems used for a particular sport, sports massage uses a variety of approaches to help athletes in training — before, during, or after sports events. You might use it to promote flexibility and help prevent injuries. Or, it may help muscle strains, aiding healing after a sports injury
SHIATSU MASSAGE:
In Japanese, shiatsu means “finger pressure.” For shiatsu massage, the therapist uses varied, rhythmic pressure on certain precise points of the body. These points are called acupressure points, and they are believed to be important for the flow of the body’s vital energy, called chi. Proponents say shiatsu massage can help relieve blockages at these acupressure points
HOT STONE MASSAGE:
For this kind of massage, the therapist places warmed stones on certain areas of the body, such as acupressure points. The stones may be used as massage tools or be temporarily left in place or both! Used along with other massage techniques, hot stones can be quite soothing and therapeutic as they transmit heat deep into the body melting your muscle pain away!
REFLEXOLOGY:
Reflexology uses hand, thumb, tools and finger techniques to stimulate certain areas of the feet. These areas are believed to correspond to different parts of the body. The massage, then, is expected to promote health and well-being for the entire body by manipulating the tissues and muscles of the feet
PREGNANCY MASSAGE:
During pregnancy, your body goes through major changes! Pregnancy massage can help with these changes by reducing stress, decreasing arm and leg swelling, and relieving muscle and joint pain. Massage may be particularly helpful during a time when medication and other medical options may be more limited. Using pillows, the massage therapist will help get you into a comfortable side-lying position for this type of massage while still giving you all the benefits!