Massage may be defined as the application of a variety of techniques to the muscular structure and soft tissues of the body. Some of the intended benefits of massage are to reduce stress, improve circulation, and have a positive impact upon chronic conditions and overall health. Massage therapists use a variety of massage techniques to customize a massage for each client.
Swedish Massage
Swedish massage is perhaps the most well-known and recognizable form of massage. It was developed in Stockholm, Sweden more than 200 years ago. The goal behind Swedish massage is to relax the entire body by performing long gliding strokes upon muscles in the direction that blood returns to the heart. Some other techniques of Swedish massage include circular strokes applied by the palms of the hands, tapping, bending, and stretching. Swedish massage is very effective for increasing the level of oxygen in the blood, releasing muscle toxins, reducing tension, and improving the client's circulation and flexibility.
Deep Tissue Massage
Similar to Swedish massage, deep muscle massage focuses on "knots" and is used particularly to release chronic muscle toxins. When a massage therapist performs a deep tissue massage, she focuses on the deepest layers of muscle tissue and tendons. As opposed to Swedish massage, which employs manipulations that go with the grain of the muscles, deep tissue massage goes against the grain to help reduce inflammation and eliminate scar tissue. Sometimes the client will experience soreness for several days after a deep tissue massage because of the degree of pressure and intensity of the movements. This soreness will usually resolve after a few days, at which time the client will experience relaxation and pain relief.
Sports Massage
Massage therapists work with a wide variety of athletes, from world-class professionals to "weekend warriors." The manipulations used are specific to the sport of choice of the client, and often focus upon an injured area, such as a knee or shoulder. Sports massage is also used for pre-event warm-up, and to reduce recovery time after athletic competition. Athletes have found sports massage to be a vital part of their training regimen, as it increases endurance, helps prevent injury, relieves fatigue, and allows them to compete at the highest possible level.
Hot Stone Massage
In this form of massage, heated, smooth, flat stones are placed on specific parts of the body, and the massage therapist may also hold the stones and use them during the manipulations. Some massage therapists put the stones on what they perceive to be "energy centers" of the body in an effort to balance the body and the mind. By "pre-treating" the muscles with hot stones, it is easier for the massage therapist to perform deep tissue manipulations. The hot stones are usually made of basalt, which is rich in iron and retains heat well. Many clients request hot stone massages because they find them to be especially comforting and relaxing. They are especially well-suited for people who often feel chilled, or for those who are experiencing muscle tension but prefer a lighter-pressure massage.
Aromatherapy Massage
Aromatherapy massages feature the use of scented plant oils, called "essential oils," in the massage. Oils are selected by the massage therapist on the basis of what the client wants from the service; there are oils that are relaxing, energizing, stress reducing, and balancing. The theory behind aromatherapy massage is that when the essential oil molecules are inhaled, messages are transmitted to a part of the brain called the limbic system. The limbic system controls emotions within the body, and also affects heart rate, stress level, blood pressure, breathing, memory, digestion, and the immune system. Each essential oil is thought to have different healing properties: the calming oils are chamomile, lavender, and geranium; ylang ylang, clary sage, rose, and neroli are uplifting; rosemary is energizing and cleansing; and eucalyptus, pine, tea tree are useful for decongesting.
Shiatsu
Shiatsu is a Japanese form of massage that uses finger and palm pressure. It is based on the holistic concept of traditional Chinese medicine, in which illness is thought to result from imbalances in the natural flow of energy, or "qi" throughout the body. The pressure rendered by a massage therapist when performing Shiatsu is more localized than that of a Swedish massage because the pads of the finger are used to apply most of the pressure, as opposed to the palm. Unlike other forms of massage therapy, no massage oil is applied during Shiatsu, and the client remains fully clothed during the massage.
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