Top Ten Massage Styles or Techniques

Massage therapy is considered to be the oldest form of medical therapy performed on the human body and is very effective in treatment of various disorders. There are many benefits of massage therapy, and many health problems can benefit from it since treatment of soft tissues affects many of our bodily systems. There are many massage styles or techniques that will improve your health by acting directly on the circulatory, muscular, nervous and immune systems. Given below are the top ten massage styles or techniques that have therapeutic affect and keep your body balanced, healthy and fresh.

Swedish Massage technique

Swedish massage is one of the most popular massage techniques, which combines long strokes, kneading and friction techniques on muscles by using massage oils or essential oils. Swedish massage helps to relieve muscle tension, increase circulation of blood, loosen sore joints and calm the nervous system. Swedish massage technique is very gentle and relaxing.

Deep Tissue Massage technique

Deep Tissue Massage technique mainly targets the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissues of the body. There are 5 layers of muscles in our back. Swedish massage can help couple of layers but Deep Tissue Massage technique provides a more therapeutic effect by massaging all layers from superficial to deep. It generally involves slow strokes or friction techniques using fingers, thumbs or sometimes-even elbows. Deep tissue massage technique helps to relax the muscles and can also be useful in preventing scar tissue build up from injuries to muscles and connective tissues.

Sports Massage technique

Sports massage technique is generally designed for people who are involved in physical activities for improving their athletic performance. It's not like that only an athlete can have a sports massage, even the people who are active and work out often can have it. The sports massage techniques are similar to those in Swedish and deep tissue massage but the strokes are generally faster than Swedish massage. Massage before any sports can not only warm up muscles and improve circulation, but can also energize or relax an athlete before competition.

Reflexology

Reflexology technique also referred as foot massage technique involves applying pressure to certain points on the foot that that correlate to other parts of the body. It stimulates the point called reflex areas on foot or hands. It works on the principle that illness can arise from an imbalance of energy. Reflexology helps to restore balance, prevent illness, improves circulation and assist relaxation.

Hot Stone Massage technique

Hot stone Massage technique involves placing heated, smooth stones on certain points on the body to warm and loosen tight muscles and balance energy centers in the body. The massage therapist may combine a Swedish or Deep Tissue massage technique with the therapeutic properties of Hot Stones or hold stones and apply gentle pressure on them. The warmth of heated stones penetrates deeply into sore, achy muscles and help to relieve muscle tension and relax the body.

Myofascial Release technique

Myofascial release technique is a gentle and highly effective hands-on technique that helps to facilitate release of restrictions in your fascia that can cause tightness and pain. Fascia is a connective tissue that surrounds all body's organs, bones as well as muscles. It is a stretching technique that can relieve your discomfort or pain by just stretching the area.

Neuromuscular Massage technique

Neuromuscular massage technique is a form of deep tissue massage that is applied to individual muscles in order to balance the nervous system. Neuromuscular massage technique helps to increase blood flow, reduce pain and release trigger points and pressure on the nerves. It is also help to reduce headaches or shoulder pain.

Pregnancy Massage technique

Pregnancy massage technique also called prenatal massage technique is gaining huge popularity these days since it helps expectant mothers to have an easier delivery and remain comfortable during pregnancy. Pregnancy massage technique helps to reduce stress, decrease swelling, relieve muscle spasms and cramps, and reduce anxiety and depression. Pregnancy massage technique increases blood circulation, lymph circulation, and cellular respiration and reduces edema thereby improving the development process. It also helps in relaxation, which is one of the keys to labor and delivery.

Natural Reflex Therapy

Natural Reflex Therapy (NRT) is a massage technique that reduces pain by stimulating specific reflex points on the body. Muscle tension and pain can be released by stimulating tender points and safely moving bones, muscles and joints into reflex positions. NRT helps in relaxation, headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome and many more.

Aromatherapy Massage

Aromatherapy massage is technique, which uses highly concentrated plant oils, called essential oils for healing, energizing and relaxing. Aromatherapy massage technique helps in stress-related conditions or conditions with an emotional component. It also helps in stress reduction, insomnia and headaches. Lavender essential oil is one of the most common essential oils used in aromatherapy massage.