6 Types of Massage Therapy: A Comprehensive Guide

The daily stress in our lives can manifest itself in our minds and muscles, making them feel tight and restricting their flexibility and range of motion. Therapeutic massage is designed to help our minds and muscles to fully relax. There are many different types of massage therapy, each with its own benefits. Swedish massage is the type of massage that people often think of when they think of massage therapy.

It involves kneading the muscles and performing rhythmic movements in the body. It helps to relieve tension and relax muscles. Shiatsu is a form of Japanese massage therapy that also includes assisted stretching and joint manipulation. It is known to help increase blood circulation and lymph flow throughout the body, not only helping your body heal itself but also boosting your immune system.

Trigger points are points on muscles that could be causing pain in other parts of the body. The massage therapist will find areas of the muscles that may be causing referred pain all over the body and will help the whole body to relax. Deep tissue is a type of intensive massage that requires deep pressure. This helps to relieve chronic muscle tension. This type of massage is designed to relieve pain that lies deep below the surface of the skin.

It's usually less rhythmic than other types of massage, but it's still considered very therapeutic. Shiatsu is a Japanese term, with the literal meaning of “finger pressure”. In this massage, the therapist uses rhythmic and varied pressure on certain exact points of the body. Points, also known as acupressure points, are areas from which vital energy (chi) flows through the body.

Some experts say that a proper shiatsu massage can relieve obstructions at these acupressure points. In a Thai massage, the therapist asks the client to adopt a variety of positions. This massage focuses on muscle compressions, joint mobilization and some acupressure techniques. In reflexology, the therapist uses various hand, finger and thumb techniques to stimulate some parts of the hands, feet and ears. Therapists believe that these areas and reflex points correspond to different organs and systems in the body.

The sole purpose of reflexology is to improve a person's overall health and to induce a sense of well-being. By its very name, sports massage is specifically designed for different sports and sports injuries. While it may be less relaxing and often tiring, it focuses on areas to help the body recover. It is performed to stretch tense muscles, stimulate inactive muscles and improve soft tissue condition. Are you ready to become a massage therapist? Are you interested in different types of massage therapy? Upon graduation, students in the Masotherapy Program will receive diplomas and will be qualified to seek entry-level positions as clinical, medical or deep tissue massage therapists in clinics and wellness centers, spa environments, including resorts and franchises, and work on their own.

Dora Peckens
Dora Peckens

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