By tim.huang March 11, 2021 Chiropractic, Massage

Different Types Of Massage And Benefits Of Massage

Massage is one of the most common therapies for relaxing muscle tension and easing muscle pain. There are a variety of massage types. Is the massage you choose suitable for you? What benefits can you get from different types of massage.

Remedial Massage

Remedial massage is a type of massage for the therapeutic purpose to repair damage tissues and accelerate healing process. Highly-trained massage therapists utilize the muscle palpation to localize the injured tissues and trigger points.

Applying different pressure on the target injured tissues increases the blood flow, release trigger points and relax the tight muscles. The application of pressure can be varied depends on the problem. Remedial massage can solve the original problem(the pain generator) and its symptom(radiate pain).

Prenatal Massage

After the 1st trimester, pregnant women may start feeling lower back pain. As the gestation goes on, fluid retention in the lower limbs and leg pain can happen. Anxiety and concern of the baby health probably occurring on these future mums may further worsen their lower back pain.

Prenatal massage or pregnancy massage allows pregnant women lie on their tummies with the specific pregnancy pillows. Side-lying is the other preferable pregnancy massage position. Prenatal massage can not only release lower back pain and leg pain but also reduce anxiety. The improvement of blood and lymphatic circulation can reduce the fluid retention and the heaviness of the lower limbs.

Sports Massage

Professional athletes getting sports massage prior to sports events have better sports performance . Sports massage can effectively increase joint range of motion and muscle flexibility that can improve sports performance and reduce the occurrence of sports injuries. At the same time, intensive training leading to the accumulation of lactic acid in the muscles can be removed more quickly from sports massage that increases blood circulation.

Sports massage can also significantly reduce the post sports events fatigue and relax muscle tension. Fast recovery is favorable for sportsmen to prevent severe sports injuries and enhance sports performance.

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massage is a massage that mainly uses for musculoskeletal conditions such as back pain and sports injuries. Massage therapists apply constant deep and slow pressure to target deep damage connective tissues and muscles. Deep tissue massage may break down scar tissues due to injuries and reduce chronic muscle pain. Deep tissue massage can increase the blood supply and reduce inflammation so that it speeds up the healing process.

Swedish Massage

Swedish massage is one of the popular massage types that is gentler than deep tissue massage. Swedish massage therapy normally works on the whole body and especially focuses on neck, shoulders and back regions.

The main goal of Swedish massage is to release muscle tension, increase blood circulation and lymphatic drainage. You are required to be undressed and only keep your underwear. The massage therapist will use lotion and oils to perform long strokes smoothly. The pressure of Swedish massage can be varied from light to firm depending on your request.

Aromatherapy Massage

Aromatherapy massage is a type of massage that use Swedish massage techniques with aroma scented oils (essential oils) or lotion. Essential oils are made from highly concentrated plant oils. During aromatherapy massage, you can smell the fragrance of essential oils and absorb it with your skin. Your limbic system involved in behavioural and emotional responses is stimulated with inhaling the molecules of essential oils to promote beneficial effects.

Different essential oils have different properties such as relieving stress, calming nerves, improving mood, reducing pain and boosting energy. Swedish massage is involved in aromatherapy massage, so neck, shoulders and back muscle tension can be relieved effectively.

Hot Stone Massage

Hot stone massage is to use flat, smooth, round and heated stones to place on the particular spots of the body. Basalt rocks are commonly used for hot stone massage. Basalt rocks are heated up between 110 to 130F. The heated stones placing on the body will be comfortable and relaxing.

The massage therapist will perform Swedish massage techniques (long strokes, rolling, tapping and kneading) with these smooth and heated stones. Hot stone massage can help you relieve muscle tension and pain. At the same time, it promotes sleep and reduce anxiety.

Trigger Point Massage

Trigger point massage is to apply pressure to release myofascial trigger points in muscle fibres. Myofascial trigger points can cause not only local muscle pain but also radiate to the other parts of the body.

The massage therapist will palpate superficial to profound layers of muscle to find myofasical trigger points. Applying flowing and broad strokes deactivate hyperirritable knots in muscle fibres. Trigger point massage can relax muscle pain and reduce muscle tension.

Reflexology Massage

Reflexology also called zone therapy is a type of massage to apply pressure on specific points on the feet, hands and ears. These specific points correspond with different body parts. In Chinese medicine, it is believed that the energy or “qi” flows in everyone. The blockage of “qi” results illness.

Reflexologists apply pressure on these specific points on the feet, hands and ears in order to remove the blockage of “qi”.

Chair Massage

Chair Massage is the best massage type for people to get a quick massage for around 10 to 15 minutes. The massage chair is designed for people who can sit in a comfortable straddle position to expose the neck, shoulder and back regions. Patients are fully clothed and the professional massage therapists can easily work on the neck, shoulder, upper and middle back. Office workers who have long sedentary time can get pain relief from headaches, neck pain, shoulder pain and back pain.