13 Best Types of Massages [2022]

Introduction

Types of massages are diverse. There are more than 80 types of massage modalities that are practiced all over the world.

These all have their own unique focus of points and aims. Some of them are Asian philosophies and others are of European origins.

They all are designed to solve different sorts of problems associated with human suffering and concerns. But, the overall goal of these modalities is the same, i.e., improving the overall health and wellness of individuals.

Are you curious to comprehend these all modalities? Don’t worry. I will clarify to you 13 of the main and commonly practiced types of massage therapies one by one, and this will help you to grab and choose one of them which may suit you with regard to your own concerns or health-related problems.

Keep reading…

Swedish massage

Swedish massage is one the most popular type of massage modalities used worldwide. This rub technique was first introduced in Europe in the 19th century. In Europe, Swedish massage is well known by the name classic massage.

It is a full-body rub that encompasses the entire body. Swedish massage is performed with the help of essential oils or gels. After applying oils, it is manipulated by using gentle pressure which may range from light to firm strokes.

Before commencing Swedish massage, all items of clothing are taken off except the underwear, and while massage therapists are doing the bodywork actively, they will cover the area which is inactive with a plastic sheet.

After clients are ready and in a safe position, a Swedish massage is performed by following the long lines of the blood vessels by using long, soft, gliding, and rhythmic alternative strokes.

The focus areas of Swedish massage are the superficial layers of our muscles and connective tissues.

Swedish massage is recommended for those who want to relax and reduce bodily tensions. It has great importance in improving blood circulation, relieving pain, and alleviating depressions.

Swedish rub technique has no fixed time sessions, It mainly depends on the need of individual users. It may last somewhere from 40 minutes up to two hours. To read more on Swedish massage, click here.

Deep tissue massage

As the basis for deep tissue massage is the Swedish massage, deep tissue massage can be applied either to the entire body or can be performed focusing only on specific body parts.

In deep tissue massage, before we start rubbing, warm oils are applied to an individual’s body parts wholly or partially to initiate relaxation and bodily responsiveness.

As the focus areas of deep tissue massage are the inner layers of muscles and connective tissues, even though it begins with light pressure, Unlike the Swedish massage, as it goes deeper and deeper, it uses strong and forceful strokes.

Deep tissue massage is mainly used to release chronic pain, chronic muscle knots and adhesions, sports injury, fibromyalgia, and other deeper ailments.

Most probably, deep tissue massage is recommended to those who suffer from a sports injury, chronic back pains, and deeper myofascial aches. To read more on deep tissue massage, Click here.

Deep tissue massage may take somewhere from 45minutes up to two hours. But, it may also be less than or beyond this time limit. Mind that, session durations may vary depending on the need of clients.

Hot stone massage

A hot stone massage is a full body massage that covers the whole body. In addition to the regular rub therapy, hot stone massage uses heated stones.

What makes this style peculiar is that, the use of another additional instrument, i.e., heated stones. This is incorporated intentionally to boost further relaxations and pain release.

Hot stone massage gives additional heightened body relaxations, increases blood circulation, and alleviates severe body pains.

It is recommended to those who need further relaxation and tension release. The duration of the session for hot stone massage may range from 40-1.5hours.

Aromatherapy Massage

The use of aromatherapy backs to ancient Egyptians, Greece, and romance. Ancient humans were using aromatic substances to soothe tensions and pains.

Aromatherapy is the use of scented chemical substances which have an increased effect in boosting bodily relaxations and relieving pain.

Most of the time, aromatherapy is recommended to those who love and get bodily relaxations with the help of these substances.

But, before we use aromatherapy substances, we should rule out that, the client is not sensitive or allergic to these substances.

This session may take somewhere from 30-90 minutes. But, this time limit is not fixed. It can be less than or more than this time.

Sports massage

Sports massage is a rubbing technique specifically applied to sports men’s/women and athletes.  While doing sports, Sportsmen/women and athletes use massive parts of their muscles and extremities to achieve their triumph.

After these awkward exercises, their muscles and connective tissue, and extremities get tired and irritations and muscle knots with injuries can be encountered.

To release these injuries and muscle knots, sports massage comes into being. Sports massage is used to soothe chronic muscle injuries, knots, and adhesions that come following a sports injury.

Different parts of their body are rubbed to ease the tensions, pains, and knots and get maximum relaxation.

This technique may last somewhere from 45-2hours, but it is not limited to this range.

Thai massage

Thai massage is an ancient Asian philosophy, based on the free vital energy flow/QI/. It is an ancient Asian principle that blends acupressure, Ayurveda, and other stretching yoga Asian philosophies.

It believes in the doctrine that, When the free-flowing energy gets blocked, we encounter disease and ailments, and this technique focuses to solve this equation.

Thai massage is a full-body massage that covers the entire body. During this technique, you can wear loose-fitting clothes, and your massage therapist will massage you by using a different range of pressures that range from light to firm.

To get full relaxation and tension or energy release, your massage therapist can use forceful stretching and twisting activities into different positions.

Thai massage has many benefits. It boosts energy, improves circulation and blood flow, enhances movements and functionality.

This technique could last somewhere from 60-90 minutes. But, it depends on the need of the individual and the focus areas.

Shiatsu massage

Shiatsu massage is a rub style that originates in the oriental traditional world. This philosophy relies on the energy channeling of our bodies.

It believes in the principle that, when the free-flowing vital energy/qi/ gets blocked, humans encounter disease and ailments.

To release these diseases and ailments, shiatsu massage is used. It is a full-body massage encompassing the whole body, but, with a special client’s preference, it can be limited to specific areas.

It can be done while clients are fully clothed or it can also be done on bare skin, this too, depends on the client’s preference.

While doing shiatsu massage a pressure that ranges from light to deep is used with the help of hand, arm, elbow, or palms and fingers.

Typically, shiatsu massage is used to treat a wide range of chronic pains, headaches, insomnia, digestive disorders, fatigue, fibromyalgia, and others.

This massage technique may last for 1-2hours.but, it may be less than or greater than this duration.

Myofascial massage

Myofascial massage is a technique used to manipulate the aches and tensions found in the muscles and connective tissue of our body.

The pains and tensions of the myofascial originate from some adjacent triggering points grimed with specific muscle knots and adhesions.

As it is difficult to pinpoint the specific focal point or source of these knots, we gently massage all the muscles and tissues adjacent and distal connective tissues to soothe the pains, aches, and tensions.

Myofascial massage gives us many benefits; it relieves pain, reduces tension, and it enhances muscle and emotional relaxations.

It is recommended to those who suffer acute and chronic muscle aches and tensions associated with muscle and fascial knots and adhesions. This technique may take somewhere from 45-60 minutes.

Trigger point massage

Trigger point massage is a rubbing technique applied to some focal points that exacerbate pains and tensions somewhere else in our body.

These focal points could be muscle knots, muscle adhesions, and acupoints that trigger muscle soreness, aching, and suffering in adjacent or remote areas of the body. Muscle knots could also limit our range of motions and flexibility. To learn more about types of massage, Click Here.

Most of the time, trigger point pains are created due to long hours of sitting, standing, and playing computer games or due to other associated causes.

Trigger point massage is used to soothe these knot point areas intended to reduce the pains and tensions of our muscles, enhance mobility and relaxation.

In addition to this, doing exercise, have a great benefit in enhancing the motion and functionality of our body balance and mobility.

Most probably, trigger point massage is recommended to those who have chronic muscle aches, knots, and adhesions. This technique may last 40-60minutes.

Pregnancy massage

Pregnancy massage is an approach delivered to pregnant women. During pregnancy, there are a lot of tensions, pains, and bad feelings.

These emotions could be created either due to the new pregnancy-related physiological change or due to the heaviness and strains of the new fetal implantation.

In order to soothe These emotions and feelings, pregnancy massage is an effective way of relieving all these pains, discomfort, and feelings.

Due to the oxytocin-releasing effect of massage during pregnancy, it is not recommended to those pregnant women found in the first trimester of pregnancy. Because this technique could cause/facilitate miscarriages and abortions.

Pregnancy massage is done with gentle manual manipulation and it has produced a great outcome in releasing pain, tension, and strains.

It is recommended to those who are found in their second and third trimester, and the duration of the session may last up to one hour on average.

Chair massage

Chair massage is the practice of rub technique where clients or individuals are stroked while seating on a traditional chair.

This technique is the simplest and quickest way to deliver while individuals or clients are sitting on their chairs. It covers the upper parts of our body like the shoulder, upper back, neck, arm, hand, and head.

During Chair massage, we didn’t use oils and gels, as well as it is done while clients are fully clothed. So, there is not much concern about privacy, and it can be done in public atmospheres.

As there are not many preparations needed for Chair massage, it can be done even in a mobile situation in anywhere and settings.

In-chair massage, massage therapists use a mixture of acupressure to release the pains and tensions situated in the back, shoulder, and neck areas.

As it is done while clothing, It is recommended to those who need quick and swift massage and to those who worry much more about their privacy.

This technique may last from 20-40 minutes. But, not limited.

Reflexology massage

It was introduced in ancient times. Especially, China, Egypt, Greece, and Rome were pioneers in the origins of this philosophy. The doctrine behind this philosophy emanates from two perspectives.

One, the oriental philosophy dictates that our body organ system has free-flowing vital energies. When these energies get blocked, disease and ailments occur. So, with the help of Reflexology massage, these blockages could be released. To learn more about types of massage, Click Here.

The Second is the westerner’s viewpoint. It is claimed that our body system is interconnected by a bunch of different connecting nerves and tissues.

When we apply some pressure somewhere in the hands, fingers, and feet, its effect reflects somewhere else in our body. This reflexive response produces a positive or negative impact on other areas.

According to this, reflexology massage is a technique where we apply some pressure in the points of our finger and hand and this in return produces some soothing effect in our ears, head, and foot via the reflexive system.

This technique is performed manually following the energy lines or points and has scored a great result in relieving pain, reducing tension, and increasing relaxations.

It is mostly recommended to those who

Lymphatic drainage massage

Lymphatic drainage massage was developed in 1930 in Europe by Danish physiotherapists, called Estrid and Emil Vodder as a technique to control post-mastectomy lymphedema.

When the lymphatic system is damaged by accident, surgery, infections, and other medical ailments, the system fails to pump the fluids away from the interstitial tissues to the heart and excretion.

These accumulated fluids are called lymphedema. especially, these lymphedemas occur following mastectomy operation. To learn more about types of massage, Click Here.

the main purpose of this technique is to clear accumulated lymph fluids found in the lymphatic system.

It is performed manually following the lines of the lymph vessels upwards to the heart. This will help individuals to get relief from heaviness, pain, and depression.

Lymphatic massage is highly recommended to those who have body swelling associated with the failure of the lymphatic system. To read more on Lymphatic Drainage Massage, Click Here.

This drainage session may last somewhere from 1-2hours. But, it may go below or beyond that time limit.

To conclude, all massage modalities have their own specific targets that are intended to bring therapeutically effective results. but, the overall goal is the same, that is achieving heightened health and wellness and improving quality of life.