Massage Therapy Strokes and Moves

One of the most effective methods of treating the body with alternative therapies is through the non-invasive message therapy. Whether you are suffering from backache, chronic stress and stiffness in muscles, limited mobility and movement in joints, getting a massage can be relaxing. There are numerous ailments that have shown reduced symptoms when massage therapy session were provided to the patients. Some of these are pains and aches, discomfort faced in pregnancy, muscle spasms, arthritis, insomnia, stress and back pain.

Massage therapy uses a few movements that are used in combination to help the muscles and tissue unwind, promote circulation which include percussion, vibration, friction, effleurage and kneading. To get a better understanding of these various methods, Effleurage is the flat hand strokes with gliding motion for enhancing the circulation while Petrissage stimulates movement and both the hands are used to knead with gentle motion.

Percussion involves both hands for a variety of movements including slapping, pounding, tapping, cupping and fingers to tap in places. Irrespective of the message therapy style, both friction and vibration are needed for effective relaxation. The slow, firm strokes in circular motion mostly used for deeper tissue massage and is usually followed by effleurage. While vibration uses the hands for trembling and shaking movements used in upper back and thighs.

Though nearly the same type of hand movements is used, different types of massage styles are there. Staring with Swedish massage, which is a popular therapy method, it includes tapping and kneading strokes all across the body to relax the tense muscles, stiff joints and chronic pain.

The Sports massage is specifically customized for the professional athletes and sportsmen to stay in shape and works to prevent injuries. It has movements that are a perfect amalgamation of different massage therapy and have been customized to suit the athletes' needs. Soft tissue massage is extremely necessary for athletes that play contact sports and to ensure there is no decline in peak conditions, constant rejuvenation and higher blood circulation is needed. In addition, massage helps to keep the body warm and get better sleep, needed to maintain peak condition.

To reduce the muscle tension at a deeper level, deep tissue massage is used which reaches all 5 levels of the back muscles, though other massage therapies are able to reach just the first two layers. With the use of slow strokes, direct pressure and friction movement using fingers and palm of hand to reach the different layers. Usually it is considered painful, deep tissue massage is extremely relaxing and therapeutic as it releases the tensions from the base muscle.

Irrespective of the pains and aches that you are suffering with, massage therapy has no side effects but only positive aspects when conducted by a professional. To book a session with a professional massage therapist, look online for a local contact or ask for referrals.