The Colorful World of Massage
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If ever you’ve had a long week of work or stress, only to wake on the weekend feeling stiff and tired, you may have mumbled to yourself “wow, I need a massage”. Interestingly, this thought may be a bit oversimplified once we discover how many variations of massage are out there. From Swedish massage, to reflexology, the world of massage is colorful with many options to choose from.
Swedish Massage
If you’re looking for a great beginner’s massage, especially one that can relieve tension from your muscles while promoting relaxation, a Swedish massage is a good place to start. Swedish massage consists of four different strokes: effleurage (gliding), petrissage (kneading), friction (circular motion), and tapotement (cupped tapping).
Pressure level: light-to-moderate
Health Benefits include: Improved circulation, blood flow, sleep, relaxation, and mobility. Reduced tension, stress, and anxiety.
Deep Tissue Massage
A Deep Tissue massage is much like a swedish massage, but with deeper pressure. Sometimes the deeper layers of muscle, connective tissue, or fascia are ones you want targeted. With a Deep Tissue massage, you can hit these targets through the slow and deep pressure applied by the therapist. Research suggests that tension and knots in the muscle fibers are relieved through this technique.
Pressure level: moderate-to-deep
Health Benefits include: Improved range of motion, mobility, circulation, and blood flow. Reduced inflammation, pain, anxiety, tension, and stress.
Therapeutic Massage
Aiming to alleviate pain and work at the underlying causes of that pain? A Therapeutic massage can help you out. Manipulation of the soft tissues addresses areas of tenderness, low circulation, compressed nerves, and even biomechanical issues (posture, repetitive motion).
Pressure level: Typically dependent upon client preference
Health Benefits include: Improved circulation, energy, alertness, immune function, relaxation, and sleep. Reduced muscle stiffness, joint inflammation, pain, tension, soreness, stress, and anxiety.
Sports Massage
Looking for a massage to aid you before, during, or after a sporting session? Sports massage is the way to go! It is much like a more focused deep tissue massage. Through the use of a wide range of techniques, this massage can help you prevent injuries as well as relieve pain brought about by sports. Some research also shows that muscle performance may be boosted through sports massage.
Pressure level: moderate-to-deep
Health Benefits include: Improved recovery rate from injury, blood flow, mobility, flexibility, and sleep. Reduced pain, inflammation, psychological tension, muscle spasms, chance of injury, and anxiety.
Neuromuscular Massage
A Neuromuscular massage is a highly specialized therapy which aims to correct pain and dysfunction. Various trigger points, muscle adhesions, fascial and connective tissue patterns that may have been caused by traumas to the body are treated. The goal is to alleviate chronic muscle and nervous system disorders and dysfunctions.
Pressure level: Typically dependent upon client preference
Health Benefits include: Improved blood circulation, flexibility, posture, strength, ease of movement, balance, and energy. Reduced chronic pain, body toxins, and nerve compression.
Reflexology
If all you need is a foot massage, with occasional applications to the hands and ears, reflexology has you covered. Lasting about 30 minutes to an hour, this massage technique uses finger techniques to stimulate pressure points. Research has shown that this type of massage has reduced anxiety in some people.
Pressure level: Moderate-to-firm
Health Benefits include: Improved circulation, balance, sleep, relaxation, energy, and nerve function. Reduced stress, anxiety, and pain.
Call 813-898-0601 or visit epicservices.co/book to schedule a massage tailored to your needs!
References:
Stuart, A. (2020, September 10). Massage Therapy Styles and Health Benefits. WebMD. Retrieved from: https://www.webmd.com/balance/guide/massage-therapy-styles-and-health-benefits
Cronkleton, E. (2022, March 11). What Are the Different Types of Massage? Healthline. Retrieved from: https://www.healthline.com/health/types-of-massage
Kandola, A. (2018, May 24). What Types of Massage Are There? Medical News Today. Retrieved from: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325288
Article by: Jonathan A. Watson