Maybe you’re a professional massage therapist looking to expand your massage therapy repertoire and earn more clientele, or maybe you’re just trying to impress your significant other by learning a few new massage techniques. Either way, we’ve compiled 5 of the top massage methods that help with injury prevention, relaxation, and fatigue reduction. These different types of massage will allow you to tailor fit the massage experience for each client who steps foot in your door.
- Swedish Massage Therapy
If you’ve ever gotten a massage, chances are Swedish massage was employed. It is the most common therapy because of how numerous its benefits are. It provides relaxation to the entire body, and it is incredibly useful for individuals recovering from injury. Swedish massage employs five standard strokes to provide relief. Friction is a small, circular stroke. Petrissage is a stroke that is often referred to as kneading or rolling. Effleurage is the primary long, smooth strokes. Vibration strokes include rocking and shaking movements. Finally, tapotement includes percussion.
- Sports Massage
Sports massage is primarily employed on athletes to prevent and treat injuries and improve athletic performance. It is also used on fitness fanatics to recover from vigorous exercise and improve their flexibility. Sports massage includes fast strokes and joint mobilization that treat injuries like tendinitis and other common sprains.
- Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage is a form of focused massage therapy that addresses what are commonly referred to as “knots.” These knots, better known as adhesions, are worked out by the use of slow strokes, friction, and focused therapy over tight or inflamed muscles. Deep tissue massage is generally more intense than Swedish massage therapy, but no pain should be involved in the process. Remember to communicate and read body language, as some clients are more sensitive than others.
- Shiatsu Massage Therapy
Shiatsu massage is a traditional Japanese massage therapy that focuses on applied pressure using fingers and often the hands and elbows. Shiatsu massage is based on the acupunctural methods used in China that balance the body’s natural energy.
- Heated Stone Massage
This massage technique is effective in removing muscle tensions throughout the body. Small, heated stones are placed on specific points on the body or held by the therapist while the client is massaged. The stone’s warmth relaxes and releases tension in the muscles to allow for a better massage experience.
