types of massage

Abhyanga means oil massage in Ayurvedic medicine. Warm the oil and massage your entire body. This type massage focuses on nourishment of the skin, not deep muscle massaging.

Pressure points are sensitive parts of the body that correspond with different aspects of your mental and physical well-being. How to use five pressure points.

Massage has been practiced for thousands upon thousands of years. There are about 80 styles of massage therapy available today. They offer a wide range of pressures and movements. They all involve using your fingers and hands to press, rub, or manipulate muscles and soft tissues. Sometimes, forearms or elbows can be used.

Shiatsu massage is best for people who want to feel relaxed and relieve stress, pain, and tension. It’s a Japanese type of massage that:

The researchers also found that the Thai massage treatments improved the players’ speed and agility on the field.

Myofascial relief therapy, another type of bodywork, involves releasing stiffness from the fascia. The connective tissue that holds every muscle in the body is called the fascia. Your therapist will gently massage the areas that are feeling tight and apply light pressure.

Brain scans of people who received Thai massage treatments showed more relaxation and much lower anxiety than people who underwent physical therapy treatments for the same conditions.

A lymphatic drainage massage is a gentle massage of your tissues designed to help increase the circulation of lymph fluids in your body. Lymph is a protein-rich fluid that moves throughout your body in lymph vessels. It scoops up things like bacteria, viruses, and waste, and carries them to your lymph nodes. Your lymph nodes then filter the fluid to get the impurities out of your body. The massage is usually done with light pressure with gentle, long strokes along the skin to increase the movement of lymph through your system.

Reflexology uses hand, thumb, and finger techniques to stimulate certain areas of the feet. These areas are believed to correspond to different parts of the body. The massage, then, is expected to promote health and well-being.

During pregnancy, your body goes through major changes. Pregnancy massage can help with these changes by reducing stress, decreasing arm and leg swelling, and relieving muscle and joint pain. Massage may be particularly helpful during a time when medication and other medical options may be more limited. Using specially designed massage pillows, the massage therapist will help get you into a comfortable position for this type of massage.

Thai massage is best for people who want a more active form of massage and want to reduce and relieve pain and stress. It can also help improve:

Make sure your massage therapists have the right training and are licensed. You can check their credentials.