Types of Massage Therapy & Their Benefits
Which Massage Therapy Is Good For Stress Relief?
Massage And Stress ReliefThere are many types of massage therapy, all having their own techniques and specific benefits. While one type of massage is good for stress relief, another might be good for increasing blood circulation, while yet another one might be good for improving the muscle tone. These days, you cannot help but be afflicted with high levels of stress, given the kind of life style you have to live, the kind of job you have to manage, and the precarious economic conditions that are prevailing around the world. Is it any surprise that you are suffering from body aches, or headaches or irritability -- what with all kinds of demands being bombarded on you? Where is the time to take care of these seemingly small things, which may culminate into hypertension, anxiety or some other serious health conditions?To maintain your balance, you can take help of massage therapy: it can help you get rid of accumulated stress of everyday life, and also to get some wholesome pampering. Why not, you deserve it – and you will only come out rejuvenated and all perked up to get on with your life with even more zest! The massage techniques typically used for de-stressing are Swedish, deep tissue, chair and stone; but all types of massage will energize and invigorate you in some way or the other. Massage is definitely a great way to squeeze the stress out of your body and get calm and relaxed in your mind. You need not spend too much time on it: in fact with so many massage parlors coming up, you can find the one near you house or workplace; and 20 minutes to half an hour is enough to get the desired results. If you can find one near your workplace, you can make use of your lunch break, and have a short session of 15 to 20 minutes and get a good massage. You may like to explore Amazon's massage & relaxation segment for a broad range of excellent products at very reasonable prices. Various Types of MassageFollowing are some of the popular Massage therapy techniques. Let's take a look at each of these types of massage, and how they benefit us. 1. Swedish Massage:. Swedish massage, also known as the classic massage, was invented by a Dutch man, and is quite popular in the Western world. It involves five kinds of touch delivered to the superficial tissues using the therapists hands, moisturized with massage oil or lotion. The lotion or oil serves two purposes. It ensures smooth hand movements of the masseur and also acts as an aromatherapy experience.  | | Photo: Dennis Taufenbach | Aromatic scents have the capacity to deliver instant relaxation to your senses, so using scented lotions you can relax and thoroughly enjoy the massage experience. Lavender is the oil most commonly used, as it has got relaxing qualities. The therapist will often give a choice of scents, so choose one you find to be most relaxing and pleasing. Through kneading, rolling, vibration tapping and percussive movements, your blood will begin to circulate better. This sends more oxygen to your muscles and helps them relax. Swedish massage will also help hasten healing of injuries, reduce swelling and help dissolve deep scar tissue adhesions. 2. Deep Tissue Massage : Using many techniques of the traditional types of massage, deep tissue massage takes it one step further, getting into the deep tissue areas of your body.Once the skin and muscles are relaxed using classic massage, the therapist goes deeper into the tissues that join your body parts together, the underlying musculature and connective tissue called fascia. Deep tissue massage is an excellent remedy for chronic muscular pain, injury rehabilitation, and reduction of pain caused by arthritis and tendonitis. One often feels sore for a day or two after this massage therapy. 3. Chair Massage : Chair massage, as compared to other types of massage therapy, has fast become a popular way to de-stress while shopping in a mall or traveling by air. Chair massage therapists can also often be found at your local health food store. The masseur doesn't use oil or lotion, and you're fully clothed during the massage. In addition, the sessions are shorter than traditional massage, usually 20 minutes or less. Chair massage focuses pressure only on the head, neck, shoulders, back, and arms. Chair massage is a great way to get quick relief from stress when you don't have time for a traditional massage.
The cost is easy on your wallet, too, usually costing approximately $1 a minute. 4. Stone Massage : You've probably seen pictures in magazines or on the web of people receiving a stone massage. Smooth, heated, black stones are placed along a person's spine and used as an extension of the therapist's hand in conjunction with traditional massage. The added benefits of stone massage are increased pain relief, improved movement and energy. 5. Shiatsu Massage : This is a Japanese massage technique, which involves sustained localized finger pressure on acupuncture points for 2 to 8 seconds. The localized pressure is meant to energize the body. Shiatsu massage is quite relaxing.6. Ayurvedic Kerala massage : The Ayurveda is a holistic view of health which involves diet, self control, exercise, meditation, massage etc. Kerala is well known for its healing centers, where Ayurvedic massage is given which is unique to Kerala and India, as compared to other types of massage popular in Western world. Kerala attracts lots of international tourists from across the world: people come here to get relief from many chronic health conditions. This kind of massage involves application of various kinds of oils, herbs and baths, is deeply relaxing and is ideal for any one desiring relief from stress. 7.Prenatal and Antenatal Massage : Massage during and after the pregnancy was earlier given by midwives. These days it is given by the trained therapists. The massage is modified according to the condition of the pregnant woman. Antenatal massage is very effective for fast restoration of the body of the mother.Massage during pregnancy is useful to relieve pains, reduce stress, cure swelling, remove depression, and to alleviate the mood of the expectant mother. Of all the types of massage therapy described above, choose the one right for you, and see how it can de-stress and relax you. The massage therapy was quite popular in old times, but recently it has again regained its status as a great stress reliever!
Further Reading Therapeutic Massage For Stress Relief Massage Benefits Your Mind, Body And Spirit Stress Relief Tricks And Techniques: Top 10 Stress Relievers How Does Stress Affect a Person....How It Affects You? Top 10 Relaxation CD, DVDs, tapes and MP3 downloads Stress Relief Tips & Techniques: Top 10 Stress Relievers 6 Simple Steps to Relaxation Response Deep Breathing For Stress Relief Aromatherapy for stress relief: How Natural Scents Change Your Moods What is Workplace Stress? Back to HOME from Types of Massage Therapy & Their Benefits

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