Everyone has stress in their life that they must deal with, and many things can be done to reduce it, like massage therapy. However, it doesn’t only relieve stress, but it can also help with insomnia, headaches, injuries, and joint pain.
The massage therapy a client gets is specific to his or her purpose for using it. To understand how massages can help people, here are some of the massage therapy techniques that are available to clients.
Swedish Massage Therapy
Swedish massage is the most common type of massage that clients get when they want to relax, reduce stress, and work out muscle tension.
It involves a therapist using long, kneading, soft strokes or light, tapping strokes on the top layers of muscles. It can also include joint movement.
Deep Tissue Massage Therapy
The deep tissue massage uses more pressure on the body than the Swedish massage. A therapist uses their fingers to reach the deepest layers of muscles and connective tissues to loosen their tension. It helps with:
- Chronic muscle pain
- Imbalances
- Muscle tension
- Anxiety
- Injuries
Sports Massage Therapy
If you’re an athlete, then sports massage can help with repetitive muscle injuries, flexibility, and performance. It can also help those who are prone to injury, have anxiety, or muscle pain. If you’re a sporty person, you should try Sydney Physiotherapy Solutions sports massage therapy.
Trigger Point Massage
For people who deal with chronic pain, certain medical conditions, or have injuries, this type of massage may be able to relieve some pain and help in the recovery process.
It uses a combination of long, gentle strokes and deeper strokes with stronger pressure to help reach each layer of muscle.
Reflexology
If you want to restore your body’s energy, then you might go to a massage therapist that specializes in reflexology.
It involves both gentle and firm pressure on the body’s pressure points in the feet, ears, and hands. People who want to try it can use it to massage their own hands and feet.
Shiatsu Massage Therapy
This Japanese style of massage can relieve muscle tension, depression, headaches, anxiety, and it promotes emotional and physical calm. A Shiatsu massage therapist will use their hands, thumbs, and palms on certain parts of the body to relieve these issues.
Thai Massage Therapy
For people who are in pain or experience stress, Thai massage therapy may be the best type for them.
The therapist will use their fingers and palms to apply firm pressure on the body and use yoga type stretches. Along with reducing pain, it improves energy levels, circulation, and flexibility.
Hot Stone Massage Therapy
Having hot stones placed on the body can help relieve pain, increase blood circulation, and help you relax. The therapist will use the stones, along with their hands, to perform Swedish massage techniques. They may use cold stones during the massage as well.
Aromatherapy Massage Therapy
A therapist specializing in aromatherapy massage will use essential oils while performing a full-body massage with gentle pressure. The oils absorb through the skin, and their aroma can help boost mood, relieve stress, reduce depression symptoms, and relieve muscle tension.
Massages can last anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes and may involve removing clothing to allow access to skin. However, clients can be fully clothed for most massages, and still experience the many benefits of massage therapy.