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Five Most Popular Types of Massage for Relaxation and Pain Relief

There are different types of massage therapies, right from Swedish to deep tissue to shiatsu. Whatever may be your goal for using the massage, whether it is for treating yourself after an injury or suffering from a health condition. There may be a type of massage out there for you.

However, with so many wide varieties of massages available, you may not know, which one fits the bill. A massage is a great one for relaxation. That one hour or so on the table can help you forget whatever it is that is affecting your mind. Take a look at some of the usual and not-so-usual massage types to help relax and rejuvenate you.

Aromatherapy Massage

An aromatherapy massage is incomplete without scented plant oils ( also known as essential oils). This type of massage is as much for the aroma as it is for the massage. The massage oil or the essential oil includes flowers and other plant parts, and it offers a tantalizing aroma that teases the senses. It also has healing properties.

Essential oils such as Lavender is an extremely effective oil that helps promote relaxation. Most therapists use essential oils that cater to specific purposes. Still, the general idea is to use pre-blended oils to induce deep relaxations, and after a session, you feel rejuvenated and amazing. The uplifting aromatherapy massage treats conditions such as depression, insomnia, digestive issues, and also pain.

Shiatsu Massage

Shiatsu massage, or Japanese bodywork, is becoming very popular nowadays. It offers localized pressure from the therapist’s fingers to certain points on the body. The therapist would do it in a rhythmic sequence, and the massage stops at each point for two to eight seconds.

It has its roots steeped in Chinese medicine. The main goal is to activate certain acupressure points on the body to boost energy flow and regain balance. No specific oil or lotion is used, and you are required to wear loose and comfortable clothes to enable proper activation and feel relaxed and stress-free. Shiatsu is one of the best massage techniques that can protect you from various health-related issues such as pain, insomnia, and nausea.

Swedish Massage Therapy

Swedish massage is a type of massage that is fairly common in several clinics, spas, gyms, spas, and wellness centers. This massage involves using several lotions or oil, which the massage therapists use. The massage begins by using broad general strokes and then gradually moving towards specific strokes to treat certain health conditions.

You will be amazed to find out that there are not one but several types of Swedish massages, such as Effleurage, Petrissage, Friction, Tapotement, and Vibration. Swedish massages offer one of the best massages, providing complete relaxation and a great savior if you suffer from specific injuries.

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massage is another therapeutic massage that works on the muscle knots, called adhesions, and cater to the specific problem areas lying in the deep layers of muscle and connective tissue. The strokes used are deliberate and slow. The oil or lotion is massaged deep into the grain of the muscle. The therapist here finds out the areas where there are tight knots of pain. The pain is a result of several issues such as repetitive strain, injuries, or postural issues. This type of massage is more intensive than Swedish massage.

But more pain does not necessarily mean more relief. If the pain seems too unbearable, let your massage therapist know about your pain, which may give him/her an idea about your pain threshold. If you are suffering from chronic pain or some lingering injuries, this may be just the type of massage therapy that may come to your aid. It is also highly effective in treating recurrent issues such as tennis elbow or carpal tunnel syndrome.

Thai Massage

This is one of the best massage techniques that can treat your back pain and anxiety. This technique is more like yoga, passive stretching, and other pressing massage movements. So, instead of you doing yoga, your therapist stretches you and moves you into various postures. This is a brilliant technique to improve your range of motion.

There is more to a massage than simply applying pressure on certain points on your body and make you feel great. It is almost like a mini-vacation as you enter a massage center feeling tired and come out feeling refreshed!

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