The Most Popular Massage Types

Countless massage types are practiced in the world today. Every region of the world has developed its own unique types of massage therapy. Of the hundreds of techniques practiced only a few have become popular worldwide. Let's look at the most popular massage techniques today.

Swedish Massage

Swedish massage is by far the most popular type of massage practiced in the West. This fluid massage style is practiced in many spas and is the basis for many other forms of bodywork. This therapy is given with oil on a massage table. The therapist uses four basic strokes during a session. These strokes form they basis for other massage styles too. They are:

• Effleurage - gliding stroke
• Petrissage - needing stroke
• Tapotement - percussive stroke
• Vibration - rocking stroke

Effleurage is the foundation stroke for this style of bodywork. The therapist will generally start and end each session using this stroke. All of the strokes are done in the direction of the heart.

Swedish massage is usually thought of as the basis for all relaxation style massage types, but it does have therapeutic benefits too. It helps increase circulation, regulate hormone production, and increase skin health. It also breaks up tissue adhesions and loosens tight muscles.

Aromatherapy Massage

This massage uses Swedish techniques along with essential oils to give you a therapeutic and relaxing experience. Different types of essential oils have various effects on the body. They can be used to help you relax, make you feel more energized, relieve sinus problems, release muscle tension and more.

The therapist will talk to you before hand to get an idea of what your physical problems are and what types of smells you like. Then the therapist will mix a massage oil using essential oils that are most appropriate for you. Many therapists will give you the unused portion of your specially mixed massage oil to take home with you.

This therapy is very relaxing and gentle.

Sports Massage

After I'd been practicing massage for a couple of years, I worked in a massage clinic where I swear almost daily someone would call in asking for a sports massage. Unfortunately, I'm not trained in sports massage.

Sports massage is not just for athletes anymore. It's more commonly offered in spas and clinics that cater to the non-athletic public. Sports massage is used to treat muscle pain and injury. It is quite vigorous and usually only focuses on the area that is experiencing pain.

This type of therapy has two components when used in athletic events. There is the pre-event treatment that is used to prepare muscles for the upcoming challenge they are about to face. This treatment involves vigorously massaging the muscles that will be used in the athlete event to warm them up. Then there is the post-event treatment that helps push lactic acid out of the muscles and is used to treat injury.

Sports massage can be done with or without oil and is quite therapeutic.

Deep Tissue Massage

Another of the popular massage types is deep tissue therapy. This bodywork involves quite deep pressure to work underlying layers of muscle tissue. The therapist uses forearms, elbows, knuckles and fingers to work deep muscle tissue. The work is normally quite slow to judge the amount of pressure that is comfortable for the client.

Hot Stone Massage

Hot stone massage is very popular in spas. This luxurious massage uses smooth black stones that are warmed to act as therapeutic heat. The stones are placed on areas of the body and left for a few minutes to warm up and loosen muscle tissue. Then the therapist massages you using the stones. The stones help provide a deep soothing massage. Oil or lotion is used for this type of massage.

Acupressure

Acupressure is a popular Chinese self-care massage technique that most anyone can do. Acupressure techniques follow the same principles used in acupuncture except your fingertips are used to apply pressure to the points. It can be used to treat headaches, nausea and a number of other conditions.

Shiatsu

This Japanese form of bodywork uses the same principles used in acupressure. The massage is performed on the floor. You remain fully clothed and no lotion or oil is used. The therapist uses finger pressure to unblock the energy in your body. The therapy is very relaxing and leaves you feeling relaxed yet invigorated.

Reflexology

This foot massage isn't just good to ease the aching in your tired feet. It's used to treat a variety of ailments. The theory is that all the nerves in the body end in the feet. By massaging various regions on the feet the therapist can effect organs throughout the body.

During this therapy you sit in a reclining chair and the therapist uses his thumbs and fingers to apply pressure your soles, top of feet and ankles.

Neuromuscular Therapy

This is one of the popular therapeutic massage types. This therapy works deep layers of muscular tissue to provide pain relief. It helps relieve trigger points--painful areas of muscles that refer pain--using a technique called trigger point therapy. This therapy is good for treating nerve entrapment, postural problems and other soft tissue issues.

The work can be painful at times, but if you communicate well with your therapist she will adjust the work to be more comfortable for you.

Thai Massage

This is my favorite of all the massage types. Thai massage is often referred to as lazy-man's yoga.

This therapy is performed on a mat on the floor. You are fully clothed in loose comfortable clothing for the session. The therapist will begin the session by giving you a rhythmic massage that is similar to shiatsu. Then the therapist will move in into yoga-like positions that relax and stretch the muscles.

This therapy is very relaxing. It increases your muscle flexibility and generally leaves you feeling great.