Types of Massage Therapy

The changing dynamics of today's lifestyles have altered our needs and wants. In the earlier times, people had different lifestyles and the way of life was not very hectic. However with increased pressures and the chaotic lifestyles, people confront many problems that they did not face before. To alleviate and relieve the tensions that people face, massage therapy has emerged as a very effective and beneficial practice. Not only does it involve soothing and relaxation of body muscles and the pressure points present in the human body, it leaves one mentally refreshed.

Message therapy even medically is considered the most effective and the best tension reliever. In some cases, it is even an essential part of the Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Massage therapy has a very vast scope and it encompasses around 80 different types of therapies.

The basic purpose behind the massage therapy is to alleviate pain and relieve one of tension, pressure etc. The process is can be simply explained, basically the relaxation of the muscles and tissues of the body increases the oxygen and blood delivery to those areas of the body where the massage is being performed, this results in a decreased level of pain suffered.

The therapist exerts varying strokes of strong pressure so as to relax the pressure points, which are also known as knots.

This is a very famous and renowned massage type. The massage is aimed at relaxing the joints and making them more flexible, this is done by giving long strokes to the person combined with muscle friction and kneading so that it flexes the joints.

Another common massage type that people are usually aware of, as the name suggests strong finger and hand pressure is exerted on specific areas of the patient's body where the muscles and tissues are tight or knotted together. The focus in on those parts of the muscle layers that are deep inside the skin.

For a Shiatsu Massage, recurrent and different pressures are exerted to the body parts whereby the energy flow is stabilized.

Reflexology (zone therapy) is an alternative medicine method involving the practice of massaging or applying pressure to parts of the feet, or sometimes the hands and ears, with the goal of encouraging a beneficial effect on other parts of the body, or to improve general health.

Thai massage is a type of massage in Thai style that involves stretching and deep massage. This form of bodywork is usually performed on the floor, and the client wears comfortable clothes that allow for movement. No oils are used in Thai massage. A significant part of the practice of Thai massage also includes yoga-like stretches, which are intended to stimulate the body through a pumping action, which is connected with the patient's breathing.

Various forms of massage require different techniques to be performed. For almost all the massages, it is imperative that fingers and hands are used to perform it however there are certain types that require other body parts such as elbows, feet and forearms to be used.