Life, they say, is a short journey but full of encounters. The numerous activities we engage in that make life what it is, demand that we take care of our bodies and health in general if we want to make the best out of the time that we have. Having fatigue, incessant pains and muscle tension are some of the common hitches our bodies encounter as we go by our daily activities.

It is for these reasons that doctors, chiropractors, and massage therapists recommend a once in a while massage to rejuvenate your tissues, streamline your blood flow and lower your blood pressure among other benefits. This, therefore, calls for the need to know the types of massage that are available and which of those would be ideal for the condition affecting you. Follow through with me.

POPULAR TYPES OF MASSAGE.

If you are a first-timer, it may prove to be a daunting task finding an ideal massage type that could help you get rid of your massage needs. Good news though, you have this article to guide you through and give you a bargaining power over con artists out there.

The Swedish Massage

If you are one who is new to massage and looking for a great start then Swedish massage would be the ideal type for you to consider. It is also superb for people that have a lot of tension and are so sensitive to touch.

This is the type of massage mostly offered in clinics, spas, and gyms by massage therapists using oil or lotion to relax the entire body. The process involves rubbing the body muscles with long gliding strokes in the direction of the flow of blood towards the heart

The procedures of this massage require you to remove your clothes (but you may keep your under wares) and that would mean you need to be very comfortable with the therapist otherwise you would need a different type of massage. You will be covered with a sheet during the massage after undressing and the massage therapist will uncover only the areas he or she will be working on at a particular time.

Swedish massage involves the incorporation of several specific strokes during the massage process that is applied to specific regions of the body. The strokes include:

Effleurage– This is a smooth and gliding stroke normally used to relax soft tissues.

Petrissage- These are all the squeezing, kneading and rolling that precedes Effleurage.

Friction- These are deep circular movements that cause tissue layers to rub against each other hence improving the flow of blood and breaking down scar tissues.

Tapotement- These are short, alternating taps performed with cupped hands, fingers or the edge of the hand.

Benefits of a Swedish massage

Improves blood circulation.

Reduces levels of stress hormones.

Improves body posture

Increases flexibility by elongating muscles and opening up joints.

Brings about a feeling of relaxation.

Flushes out metabolic byproducts from the body.

Improves sleep.

It decreases muscle toxins.

Side Effects of a Swedish massage

Headaches.

Nausea.

Soreness.

Aromatherapy Massage

You probably must have had a sluggish mood and on top of that a fatigued body that needs a great massage. Well, this type of massage will meet both needs and leave you renewed and rejuvenated.

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils to bring forth healing and an atmosphere of well-being and relaxation to you during the massage. These essential oils are purely originated from parts of herbs and shrubs that are beneficial in carrying out body massage. The oils are most effective when applied through massage.

The process begins with the blending of these oils by the Aromatherapist to come up with a perfect blend depending on the part of the body being massaged. This type of massage can be carried on the back, legs, chest, arms, head, and stomach. Sometimes it can include even facial massage for beauty purposes. The massage normally begins from the back areas of your body including the buttocks and legs then you turn over for the therapist to finish with the front regions.

Benefits of Aromatherapy Massage.

Reduces pain and discomfort of menstrual cramps.

It helps to ease menopause symptoms.

Boosts emotional mood.

It relieves you from muscle tension.

Reduces stress.

Relieves pain.

Improves sleep.

Improves digestion.

Side Effects of Aromatherapy

The flowers and plants used in the massage oils can cause allergic reactions.

Headaches.

Some may experience skin irritations.

Nausea.

Rashes.

Shiatsu Massage Therapy

‘Shiatsu’ is a Japanese word that means ‘finger pressure’. This massage therapy incorporates the use of fingers, thumbs, elbows, knees, and palms to exert pressure on various points of the body surface known as acupoints. Shiatsu massage prides on its ability to help release blockages in these acupoints.

This process helps you to get rid of the pain and common ailments in your body as well as balancing the body. The pressure applied to various parts of the body during a massage helps promote the seamless flow of energy and perfecting harmonies throughout your body giving you a relieving, relaxing and rejuvenating experience.

Shiatsu massage begins with a diagnosis that is aimed at finding more about your body as well as understanding your emotional standings at the moment of the massage therapy.

Benefits of Shiatsu massage therapy

Stimulates blood flow and circulation.

It improves the body’s stamina.

It lowers blood pressure and heartbeat rate.

Multiplies the body’s natural painkiller known as Endorphins.

It helps in treating fibromyalgia.

Improves sleep.

Brings relief in morning sickness and other pregnancy-related discomforts.

Brings restoration to the lymphatic, nervous, circulatory and hormonal systems.

Side effects of Shiatsu massage

Shiatsu is considered one of the safest massage types available. However not being 100% safe, some people have registered some mild effects after the massage. These effects include:

Headache.

Mild stiffness.

Fatigue.

Thai Massage

Also known as Thai Yoga massage, it is a massage type that uses gentle pressure and stretching techniques to bring about a relaxing feeling to the body. Tracing its origins in India, it is believed to have come to existence over 2,500 years ago during the times of Buddha. An ancient physician known as Shivango Komarpaj, who was attending to Buddha, is said to have developed this massage.

The massage technique arrived in Thailand thanks to the encroachment of the Buddhism culture to Thailand. The technique used in Thai massage widely differs from the one used in Western massage techniques. Here, you lie on the floor during the massage and actively participate in the massage, unlike other methods where you have to lie on a bed for the massage. At times the practitioner will have to walk over you to administer the desired pressure on the acupoints.

The massage might seem painful and scary to undergo but the masseuses are careful not to harm you. It could be more fun than you thought.

Thai massage can be carried out in different styles as highlighted below:

The Royal style- begins with the massage therapist checking the wrist and ankle pulses to ascertain whether the patient is fit for the massage to avoid cases of fainting. Once cleared, the massage begins from the knees towards the feet of the patient.

Here the only positions you will assume as a patient during the massage are sitting up, laying on your back or laying on your side. This process won’t require you to lay on your face. It aims to access deep organs and tissue to especially improve blood circulation.

Common Style- Also known as “Chalosiak”. It’s the most used style of massage that originated in Wat Pho, where the massage therapist uses their hands, elbows, feet among others to carry out the massage.

Uncommon Style- These are not your common styles of massage and are lesser-known. They include The Tok Sen Lanna which is most specific in Northern Thailand and involves the use of herbal oils and tapping of muscles and pressure points with a small gavel made of wood.

The Ruesri Dat Ton is the second one which is also known as “Contorted Hermit”. It incorporates breathing techniques and bending, twisting and stretching of different body parts.

Yu Fai comes in third as a special massage designed for new mothers. When translated, ‘Yu Fai’ means ‘Staying in the heart’. It is aimed at healing new mothers to reinstate their hormonal balance and body from pregnancy and birth after effects.

Benefits of Thai Massage

Lowers stress.

Boosts energy.

Improves blood circulation.

Relieves headache.

It relieves you of muscle and joint pains.

Specified and customized therapy gives you the exact relief you need without triggering pain from other points.

Improves sleep.

Side Effects

Redness.

Irritations.

Soreness.

Sleepiness.

Hot Stone Massage

Just as the name suggests, during this type of massage warm flat stones are arranged along with specific parts of your body and held by the massage therapist while giving you the massage to provide a warmth that is needed to relax and loosen tight muscles.

The stones are mostly made of basalt which is a volcanic rock that retains heat. The stones might be heated to between 130 to 140 degrees and placed on or along the following regions of your body during the massage:

On the face.

Along the spine.

On the stomach

On the feet and toes.

On the palms.

On the chest.

Benefits of Hot Stone Massage

Reduces stress and anxiety.

Improves sleep.

It relieves you from muscle tension and pain.

It helps in reducing cancer symptoms.

Boosts your immunity.

Side Effects of Hot Stone Massage

Sometimes the stones are too hot that can burn the patient when not sufficiently cooled.

Bruised and/or sore skin.

Discomfort or pain.

Dehydration.

Increased sweating.

Pregnancy Massage

This is a generalized term for all hands-on massage during and after pregnancy. It usually lasts one hour and is done while lying on a pregnancy massage table. Pregnancy massage has gained the interests of many women across the globe in the recent past even after being limited to a group of women who saw other alternative therapies better.

It is now considered a safe and useful method of reducing general pregnancy discomfort and women are largely considering it for an even easier pregnancy period. It is advisable that you take your massage therapies after three months as doing it earlier may subject you to morning sickness and dizziness.

Benefits of Pregnancy Massage

Reduces anxiety.

Reduces stress hormones within the woman’s body.

Regenerates energy.

Muscle relaxation and relief to joint pains.

Improves the progression of labor.

Improved sleep.

It can release nausea and heartburn in some women.

Decreased back and leg pains.

Increases the level of serotonin and dopamine hormones that are responsible for the good feeling in humans.

Side Effects of Pregnancy Massage

Might be a potential cause for miscarriage when performed within the first three months of pregnancy.

May instigate vomiting or nausea.

Reflexology

If you have sort for massage services then this name is a common sound to your ears. It’s a massage process that involves the applying of different amounts of pressure to the feet, hands, and ears. Reflexology works with the theory that areas in the foot correspond to organs and systems of the body and therefore when massaged would bring the same corresponding healing to the connected systems and organs.

Foot REFLEXOLOGY

A foot chart is used by reflexologists to guide them as they apply pressure to specific areas and may sometimes be combined with other hands-on therapies.

Benefits of Reflexology

Lifts your mood.

Reduces stress and anxiety.

Reduces pain.

Improves general wealth.

It helps to fight cancer.

It helps you to recover from back problems.

Boosts immune system.

Boosts fertility.

Eases Arthritis pain.

Brings about hormonal balance.

It helps to solve sinus issues.

Side Effects of Reflexology

Tenderfeet

Lightheadedness.

Cold or flu.

Deep Tissue Massage

One would quickly think that this massage technique involves opening the skin to access the inner tissues for a massage. Well, a deep tissue massage accesses your tissues but by the help of firm pressure and slow strokes to be able to reach the deeper layers of fascia and muscles.

It is especially important in tackling chronic pains and aches, stiff necks, lower back pains, sore shoulders and, leg muscle tightness.

Benefits of Deep Tissue Massager

Recovery from injuries.

Reduced back pain.

It helps in managing high blood pressure.

Treats Plantar Fasciitis.

Treats Sciatica.

Rehabilitates injured muscles.

Breaks scar tissues.

Side Effects of Deep Tissue Massage

Pain.

Headache.

Soreness.

Bruises.

Bone fractures.

CONCLUSION

The world technology is evolving every new morning and more massage types are coming up and with new modifications. In this article, I managed to mention the very popular and common massage types to help you with your exquisite massage journey.

For every message, type make sure you have express permission from your doctor to avoid complications and diverse effects after the massage. Otherwise, I hope you have a wonderful experience as you settle for the best massage type of your choice.

