Categories of Massage Whether giving or receiving, it's important to be aware of the various styles of massage. Masseuses are often trained in several areas of massage to better serve a wider clientele. For one about to sign up for a massage, better knowing the diverse choices at your disposal will help you pick the best technique for your personal needs and expectations. Benefits of Variety Each type of massage offers something for different consumers. Varieties of massage are legion and it can seem daunting to choose from all of them. Here are a few of some of the more popular massage techniques. Deep Tissue Massage A deep tissue massage involves a probing of the deeper layers of one's muscles to determine their texture and condition. A masseuse will use differing speeds and degrees of pressure to determine the needs of a client and in turn use specific techniques based upon what they've found. Deep Tissue Massage is great for those with chronic muscle pain as it allows for a customized massage that gets right at the root of individual muscle congestion. |  |
Shiatsu Massage
This technique is a close relative to acupuncture. Rather than using needles on points, Shiatsu uses pressure at very specific points on the body aimed at opening up the body's energy meridians.
Swedish Massage
Swedish Massage refers to a set of techniques used to cleanse the body and relax muscles. Pressure is applied to deep muscles in the same direction of blood flow returning to the heart. Blood on this path relies on muscle, not the heart's pumping, to return to its source, so Swedish Massage aids this process, cleansing vein corridors which increases circulation, removing metabolic waste and providing an intense source of relaxation.
Sports Massage
Lessening injury and increasing strength and flexibility, Sports Massage targets muscles specifically based upon those an athlete uses most frequently and/or harshly. It is coordinated before, sometimes during, and often after athletic contests.
Reiki Massage
Reiki is about energy, relaxation, and healing. The masseuse or "healer" channels the energy of the universe following patterns of hand placement and uses little or no pressure.
