Health & Wellness
2008-04-01 10:35:00
Different types of massages
Answer: Yes, there are many different massages available, and depending on your needs you can select the one that best fits you. So let me try to explain some of the different massages available.
•Swedish Massage
A system of long strokes, kneading and friction techniques on the more superficial layers of the muscles, combined with active and passive movements of the joints. It is the most common type of massage treatment in America today. The strong movements of the Swedish massage begin at both ends of the body and move toward the heart. Because muscles tense when the body senses danger and stress, Swedish massage loosens muscles thus lowering blood pressure and heart rate. Relaxation is achieved by increased circulation which in turn vitalizes the skin, muscles, nerves and connective tissues. Swedish massage has also been shown to boost one’s immune system.
•Deep Tissue
Deep tissue bodywork is a general term for a range of therapies that work to “unstick” the body’s connective tissues and/or muscles to encourage them to function properly again. Among the conditions deep tissue bodywork treats are whiplash, low back and neck pain, and degenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis. This procedure releases chronic patterns of tension in the body through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the contracted areas, either following or going across the grain of muscles, tendons and fascia. It is called deep tissue massage because it also focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue and is an advanced form of Swedish massage. The muscles are slowly warmed with regular massage before heavier pressure is applied. Deep tissue massage is not intended to be a relaxation massage; rather, it is often aimed for treatment of muscle injuries by increasing blood flow to the injured area. Deep tissue massage is also frequently used for the release of scar tissue.
•Sports Massage
Massage techniques for athletes aims at either preparing the muscles and joints for athletic activity or helping in recovery from the stress and strain associated with athletics. Massage of the foundation tissues is directed specifically at the muscles used in athletic activities. This is a deep muscle massage often used around the joints. It combines classical Swedish style with trigger points, compression and electro-neuromuscular techniques to reduce soreness. A form of massage which utilizes specific strokes and stretches to help obtain maximum performance and physical conditioning with less chance of injury or pain. It increases power, endurance, and flexibility both before and after an event or workout. Can also be focused on muscles relevant to a specific event. For athletes who train continuously, the goal is to enhance endurance, lessen the chance of injury and shorten the time needed to recover from an event.
•Myofascial Release Massage Therapy
Myofascial release massage targets the connective tissue, called the fascia, which surrounds muscles. These bands of fibrous tissue establish interconnections of the muscles with other parts of the body, including tendons, joints, bones, blood supply and organs. Due to injury or illness, these fascia tissues can become dense, tight and sore. Myofascial release massage loosens these tissues, increasing blood supply, and stretches the fascia tissues, which will increase motion and decrease discomfort. This hands-on technique seeks to free the body from the grip of tight fascia, or connective tissue, thus restoring normal alignment and function and reducing pain. Using their hands, therapists apply mild, sustained pressure in order to gently stretch and soften the fascia. Myofascial Release is used to treat neck and back pain, headaches, recurring sports injuries, and scoliosis, among other conditions.
•Neuromuscular Therapy
Neuromuscular Therapy is the utilization of static pressure on specific myofascial points to relieve pain. This technique manipulates the soft tissue of the body (muscles, tendons and connective tissue) to balance the central nervous system. In a healthy individual, nerves transmit impulses (which are responsible for every movement, function and thought) to the body very slowly. Injury, trauma, postural distortion or stress cause nerves to speed up their transmission, inhibiting equilibrium and making the body vulnerable to pain and dysfunction. It is therefore necessary to stabilize low levels of neurological activity to maintain normal function and overall health.
•Trigger Point I Myotherapy
Practitioners of this technique apply pressure to specific points on the body to relieve tension. Trigger points are tender, congested spots on muscle tissue that may radiate pain to other areas. Though the technique is similar to shiatsu or acupressure, this therapy uses Western anatomy and physiology as its basis
•Reflexology
Reflexology is considered to be both an art and a therapy with its roots going back to ancient Egypt and China, but wasn’t developed in the Western world until the early 1900s. By using detailed reflexology charts, specific massage techniques applied to areas of the feet correspond with and produce physical reactions in targeted areas of the body including glands and organs. This stimulation encourages the body too calmly soothe, heal and relieve problems and has successfully treated many ailments including arthritis, insomnia, headaches, fertility, digestive disorders and back pain. Reflexology is based on the idea that specific points on the feet and hands correspond with organs and tissues throughout the body. With fingers and thumbs, the practitioner applies pressure to these points to treat a wide range of stress-related illnesses and ailments.
