Muscle Repair Massage » Types of Massage

Common Massage Therapies Explained

Fri, 11 Feb 2011 21:22:18 +0000

It may not come as a surprise to some but others are wholly unaware that there are more than just a couple of different types of massage. Most massage serves a similar purpose, some sort of health improvement. Weather that be relaxation, stress relief, pain management or one of the other various treatments. Each different type of massage serves a slightly different purpose. A couple of the main types of massage are Swedish, Hot Stone, and Shiatsu.

Swedish massage is the most common and the one that has been mainly popularized in the west. Swedish massage is most commonly associated with massage therapy and it is based on long kneading motions. The idea behind Swedish massage is to workout any knots or tight sections built up in the muscle fiber.

Swedish massage is very effective for sports recovery. People find it to be highly relaxing and of great assistance with recovery. It increases circulation and helps break up lactic acid that can be built up due to difficult strenuous workouts. Swedish massage can be quite vigorous and you may find that you have to communicate with the massage therapist in order to find your sweet spot. The massage is supposed to border on uncomfortable but should not actually cause pain. Massage therapist will usually target areas that you communicate to them or will find areas of excess knotting. Swedish massage will continue to be popular because it is highly effective and priced fairly reasonably.

Expect a Swedish massage to last anywhere from 30 – 90 minutes and cost in the range of $1 to $2 per minute.

Hot stone massage is another type of massage that is quickly gaining popularity. It is similar to Swedish massage in that it is often used to treat injuries. During a typical hot stone massage the therapist will place warm stones on parts of the body that the therapist is trying to loosen up. This may be a tight muscle or an area of discomfort. The therapist will focus on meridians in the body based on the eastern practice of acupuncture.

This type of massage is kind of an east meats west massage that borrows ideas from both cultures. Many people that find a swedish massage too vigorous or uncomfortable may find that a hot stone massage is more relaxing. Masseuses typically do not apply as much pressure during a hot stone massage.

The stones themselves are normally river stones, that’s surface has been highly polished. Basalt rocks, which have a high iron ore content are usually used because they are able to hold heat for a long period of time. The stones are usually heated in a warmer with a thermostat and will be handled before they are placed on the body to ensure that they are the proper temperature.

Hot stone massages may last longer than a Swedish massage and generally cost a little bit more.

Shiatsu massages are another type of massage that has made it over from the east. This type of massage is based on the same principles as acupuncture. Massage therapist will focus on the body’s chi or energy flow by targeting meridians or chakras. This type of massage is done with the tips of the fingers on each of the pressure points of the body the same way that an acupuncturist would focus on certain areas.

A shiatsu specialist can target certain parts of the body with specific intentions. Shiatsu may be used to treat a wide variety of ailments but will most likely not be a relaxing or stress relieving as other forms of massage.

A shiatsu massage is also done with the clothes still on and without massage oil. If you have never experienced this type of treatment you will be in for a bit of a surprise it is not like your typical massage.

There are many other types of massage or different combinations. Thai massage is another very common form and many massage therapist will also use aromatherapy along with their specialty. I will continue to expand on the information here and in the future discuss other forms of massage.

Aromatherapy

Sat, 24 Apr 2010 17:36:12 +0000

Aromatherapy is a very wide ranging topic, not only does it include aspects of massage therapy but is also includes more consumer oriented applications such as shampoos and conditions, and all the way down to essential oils. Aromatherapy has numerous applications and many health benefits.

Looking at aromatherapy as a more specific brach of alternative therapy rules out many of the more superfluous aspects of the science and focuses the emphasis on the healing properties of aromatherapy and how it can be used in conjunction with other healing techniques like massage.

One thing that is common among practitioners of aromatherapy is a desire to use the cleanest most natural products that are available. Stressing the connection to the earth and the organic aspects of aromatherapy is based in the ancient traditions of the therapy.

In using essential oils the practitioner is attempting to maximize the healing benefit from the natural aspect of the live material and minimize any waste to the plant or pant material. Practitioners are attempting to pass on some of the life giving properties of the plants in a way that is not normally utilized for healing in the modern environment. We have also gotten into the habit of diluting our nutrients and this is an attempt to take that dilution in the other direction.

Aromatherapist must either buy essential oils or make their own, either way they want to be certain that the starting material is of the upmost quality. This usually means that plants should be organic, well cared for and harvested at the optimal time. The essential oil must also be made immediately after the harvesting.

This can create dilemma for many practitioners in that they are seeking the highest quality materials to use in their practice but many of the best remedies come from parts of the world that are far away, meaning that fresh ingredients are nearly impossible to find. This simply means that aromatherapist must strike a healthy balance between using local products where they can and supplementing with foreign products when necessary.

A good way to look at essential oils is to compare them to wines. There are good vintages and good years. There are optimal growing areas which yield excellent plants and there is a wide variety of producers. Finding a good supply or a good recipe is will play a large part in the success or failure of an aromatherapist.

When applying aromatherapy to healing practices such as massage it is essential that you strive to reach the optimum benefit and fit the aroma to the treatment. As a massage therapist it would be in your interest to learn the art or consult a specialist to learn how to best apply aromatherapy to massage.

Give Yourself Some…. Massage that is

Sat, 13 Feb 2010 06:23:18 +0000

Self massage can be one of the most effective ways to turn a quick five minute break into what feels like a longer period of relaxation and rejuvenation. You don’t need long and any of these massages can be done by themselves or in succession.

The Head Massage

If you don’t mind messing up your hair or if you don’t have any hair start by replicating washing your hair, with small circular motions into your scalp. You do not need excessive pressure just move around the head and keep it slow and methodical. Gently massaging behind the ears and on the lobes and around the tops of the ears can also be effective.

The Face Massage

You can move down to the face after starting on the head. There is no need for any excessive pressure on the face a light touch and the additional heat of your hands can be enough to stimulate the numerous muscles in your face. Concentrate of feeling the the movements of the individual muscles. Gently stroke your cheeks and forehead upwards and lightly pinch your eyebrows starting at the bridge of your nose. Next, gently pinch the skin of the chin starting by your neck and moving towards the center. Move downwards and continue under your chin.

The Tennis Ball

For more isolated massage that could possibly target areas of soreness try using a tennis ball. Start by gently rolling the tennis ball over the area of massage and slowly increase pressure. This can be used to target deeper areas of soreness and can be very effective in easing pain associate with workouts. Try rolling a tennis ball under the arch of your foot for a stimulating foot massage. The tennis ball trick is semi subjective, there is really not a wrong way to do it and it helps to experiment. Some people like to use golf balls or racquet balls for a different effect.

The Torso

Try rubbing directly above the kidneys with a fist in a circular motion for a quick burst of energy. This can be effective on long car rides to increase awareness and break a lull.

Arms

A light karate chop type movement starting near the shoulder and working down to the wrist and back up the the shoulder can be effective in increasing blood flow and getting limbs ready for movements. This can also be applied to the legs with a little more difficulty.

Give some different things a try and see what works best for you, you will not regret it.