While the medical benefits of massage therapy are a common topic of debate between massage therapists and more traditional medical professionals, the practice’s popularity certainly goes a long way in supporting its legitimacy. Some of the central ideas behind massage include relaxing the muscles, relieving tension, and loosening toxins out of the various muscles. The practice is undeniably pleasurable, a primary draw for massage enthusiasts and regulars. For professional and many amateur athletes, massage therapy is a regular part of their workout and training routines. It allows them to recover from an intense workout session more quickly, giving them the ability to push the limits of the human body on a regular basis. For the rest of us, massage therapy is a fantastic way to relax the body, relieve stress, and just feel good in general.

Swedish Massage Therapy

The most common form of massage therapy is the Swedish massage. While it was developed in Sweden, in most countries (including Sweden) it is simply referred to as “classic massage” (ironic, right?). Swedish massage is built around five basic motions, effleurage (sliding or gliding), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (rhythmic tapping), friction (cross fiber) and vibration/shaking. Each of these long, flowing strokes are used to to relax and restore one’s muscles. In addition to being a style all its own, Swedish massage serves as the foundation for many other styles and techniques, as you might have guessed from it being known commonly as “classic massage.”

Hot Stone Massage Therapy

Another wildly popular, although more difficult to administer, style of massage is the hot stone massage. Hot stone massage therapists must be well-trained, as the signature hot stones that provide the style with its name are just that… hot stones. A poorly trained therapist can easily burn the client, resulting in anything but a relaxing, stress-free experience. Hot stone massage employs the techniques used in Swedish massage, enhancing their effect with the relaxing powers of heat. The large round stones are heated and then placed strategically along the body, relaxing pressure points in the muscles. This use of heat often results in less pain for the client as the knots and bumps are worn smooth by the therapist’s trained hands. If you can find a well-trained, well-reviewed hot stone massage therapist near you, this style comes highly recommended.

Deep Tissue Massage

For those dealing with injuries or whose bodies frequently undergo extensive physical abuse, deep tissue massage can be a lifesaver. As its name suggests, this technique focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue underneath the superficial layer typically handled by most massage styles. This method is very commonly used by sports therapists, and enhances the body’s healing process for muscle tissue injuries. Due to the intensity and pressure required, and subsequent risk, this technique is not necessarily recommended for the casual patient simply looking to for a feel-good time. For those with injuries, however, the effects of the massage will last much longer than a more typical massage of the superficial layer.

We hope you feel better educated regarding massages. If you’ve never had your own personal massage experience, find a local massage therapist and treat yourself; you’ll thank us later!

Image source by en.wikipedia.org
About the author: Tiffany Olson loves to blog for small, local businesses to help them expand their online presence. This article was inspired by The Desmond House, a small bed and breakfast in Northern California that offers the services of a professional Redding massage therapist.