"Massage Therapy Styles and Health Benefits"
-Swedish Massage-
The most common type of massage is Swedish massage therapy. It involves soft, long, kneading strokes, as well as light, rhythmic, tapping strokes, on topmost layers of muscles. This is also combined with movement of the joints. By relieving muscle tension, Swedish therapy can be both relaxing and energizing. And it may even help after an injury.
The four common strokes of Swedish massage are:
Effleurage: a smooth, gliding stroke used to relax soft tissue
Petrissage: the squeezing, rolling, or kneading that follows effleurage
Friction: deep, circular movements that cause layers of tissue to rub against each other, helping to increase blood flow and break down scar tissue.
-Neuromuscular Therapy Massage-
Neuromuscular therapy is a form of soft tissue manipulation that aims to treat underlying causes of chronic pain involving the muscular and nervous systems. This medically-oriented form of massage addresses trigger points (tender muscles points), circulation, nerve compression, postural issues, and biomechanical problems that can be caused by repetitive movement injuries.
-Deep Tissue Massage-
Deep tissue massage is best for giving attention to certain painful, stiff "trouble spots" in your body. The massage therapist uses slow, deliberate strokes that focus pressure on layers of muscles, tendons, or other tissues deep under your skin. Though less rhythmic than other types of massage, deep tissue massage can be quite therapeutic -- relieving chronic patterns of tension and helping with muscle injuries, such as back sprain.
-Sports Massage/Tapping massage/Double action Massage-
Developed to help with muscle systems used for a particular sport, sports massage uses a variety of approaches to help athletes in training -- before, during, or after sports events. You might use it to promote flexibility and help prevent injuries. Or, it may help muscle strains, aiding healing after a sports injury.
-Shiatsu Massage-
In Japanese, shiatsu means "finger pressure." For shiatsu massage, the therapist uses varied, rhythmic pressure on certain precise points of the body. These points are called acupressure points, and they are believed to be important for the flow of the body's vital energy, called chi. Proponents say shiatsu massage can help relieve blockages at these acupressure points.
-Thai Massage-
During a Thai massage, the therapist uses his or her body to move the client into a variety of positions. This type of massage includes compression of muscles, mobilization of joints, and acupressure.
-Rolling Massage-
Rolling Massage is a technique by which pressure is applied to compress muscles laterally. It is a relatively advanced technique that can be used to stretch muscles and/or to stimulate circulation in the muscles treated.
-Thermal Heat Massage-
Used along with other massage techniques, thermal heat can be quite soothing and relaxing as they transmit heat deep into the body.
-Reflexology/Finger press Massage-
Reflexology uses hand, thumb, and finger techniques to stimulate certain areas of the feet. These areas are believed to correspond to different parts of the body. The massage, then, is expected to promote health.
-Pregnancy Massage-
During pregnancy, your body goes through major changes. Pregnancy massage can help with these changes by reducing stress, decreasing arm and leg swelling, and relieving muscle and joint pain. Massage may be particularly helpful during a time when medication and other medical options may be more limited. Using specially designed massage pillows, the massage therapist will help get you into a comfortable position for this type of massage.
-Zero Gravity Massage-
The Neutral Body Position takes all of the natural gravity pressures off of the spine and vertebrae. The forces will be sprad across the body. This is done by reclining the back rest and elevating the legs above the heart at roughly a 130-degree angle.
Benefit #2 – Increased Relaxation of the Neck and the Back
Once the spine and body has completely entered the Neutral Body Position and become relieved of pressure, the Neck, Back, and Lower-Back can become fully relaxed. This will also allow for a better and deeper massage.
Benefit #3 – Increase Lung Function
When the body enters into this extreme recline, the Lungs are able to fully expand from the decreased pressure on the diaphragm. The heavier breathing will help increase lung function over time and help to oxygenate the blood.
Benefit # 4- Increased Circulation
The Heart is able to work more efficiently because it is able to work with gravity pumping blood horizontally as opposed to vertically (essentially up from the legs). This increased circulation will help the oxygen get to where it needs to go quicker and more easily.
Benefit #5 – Enhanced Relaxation
The best benefit of all is the accumulation of these components working together to bring the entire mind and body into an enhanced state of relaxation.
What Are the Health Benefits of Massage?
Many types of massage offer benefits beyond simple relaxation. Here are just a few of the health problems that may benefit from massage. Ask your doctor before using massage for any health condition, though.
Back pain . More than one study has shown the effectiveness of massage therapy for back pain. In fact, one 2003 study showed it worked better than acupuncture or spinal modification for persistent low back pain -- reducing the need for painkillers by 36%.
Another type of pain -- headache -- also responds to massage therapy, as shown by more than one study. Massage therapy can reduce the number of migraines a person has and also improve sleep.
Osteoarthritis. In the first clinical trial looking at the effectiveness of Swedish massage for knee osteoarthritis, participants who received a one-hour massage either one or two times a week had improvements in pain, stiffness, and function. The control group had no such change.
Cancer. Used as a complement to traditional, Western medicine, massage can promote relaxation and reduce cancer symptoms or side effects of treatment. It may help reduce pain, swelling, fatigue, nausea, or depression, for example, or improve the function of your immune system.
