Massage therapy has become very popular for relaxation and health reasons.
This therapy can help relieve stress, ease pain, improve circulation, and help remove toxins from the body.
Not all techniques are the same though.
Each type of this therapy can give a different experience.
Swedish massage is the most common type of therapy available in the United States.
This technique consists of long smooth strokes as well as circular kneading.
This is a gentle, relaxing type of massage that is good for anyone.
If you've never had one before, this is a great one to start with.
Deep Tissue Massage targets the deeper tissues and muscles.
This technique strokes are stronger and firmer, often against the grain of the muscle, to reduce tightness.
This particular style can be slightly painful at times and can leave some soreness for a day or two.
This type is often used in treating injuries and for athletes and those with chronic muscle tightness.
Shiatsu is Japanese in origin.
It is a type of bodywork that treats pressure points and energy flow similar to the way acupuncture works.
Shiatsu uses finger pressure in a rhythmic sequence on specific points to help release energy blocks and balance the body's energies.
It doesn't require lotions or oil and can be performed fully clothed.
Hot Stone Massage uses hot or warm stones placed on the body to help loosen tight muscles.
This type of bodywork is often used in conjunction with other techniques, the hot stones helping to loosen the muscles to make the body work more effective.