11 Types of Massage: A Complete Guide

Your body is pretty good at knowing it needs to be massaged if only it could also tell you what kind of massage it would be most beneficial for. If you are new to massage or have never tried to skip your regular Swedish session, it can be confusing to navigate all types of massages. Fortunately, we are here to help you interpret the many different styles and benefits of massage so you can book the one that works best for you.

Swedish Massage

This form of relaxation-focused massage is what most people think of first when they think of massage. Therapists use a series of long, gliding strokes, aches, and circular movements to relieve low tension in the muscles. Aromatherapy can be added to improve relaxation.

Benefit: In addition to helping to relax muscles and relieve superficial tension, Swedish massage can also increase blood circulation throughout the body.

Try it: you are a new masseur or you want to relieve light or moderate tension in your back and shoulders.

Deep tissue massage

As the name suggests, deep tissue massage aims to relieve tension in the deeper layers of muscle tissue and fascia. As such, it uses more powerful kneading techniques than Swedish.

Benefits: Deep tissue massage is ideal for relieving chronic tension and can also help improve the movement area.

Try it if: you suffer from chronic aches or want more pressure than a classic Swedish massage offers.

Hot stone massage

Instead of relying solely on the stubborn knots in their hands, the Massage Therapist puts heated basalt stones behind to melt the melting areas.

Benefits: The heat of the stones can help improve blood circulation not only to relieve tense areas.

Try it: you suffer from difficult to shed problems and like therapeutic heat.

Sports massage

Designed specifically for athletes, the sports massage is a variation of Swedish massage that aims to correct the pain caused by repetitive movement and help active people heal faster from stress and injury.

Benefits: Faster fitness recovery time, better range of motion, and better performance are just a few of the benefits of receiving a regular sports massage.

Try it if: you play sports or exercise often and want to keep your body in top condition.

Shiatsu massage

In Japanese massage, which is rooted in Chinese medicine, shiatsu massage aims to remove blockages that keep the body’s energy force, or Qi, from flowing freely. Therapists use many different techniques, often using their elbows, knees, and even legs when working with tension in the back, joints, and limbs.

Benefits: Shiatsu massage is considered an excellent form of stress relief because it promotes good blood circulation and oxytocin production.

Try it: you need to seriously reduce stress and relax. Or if you are curious about oriental massages and need a good demonstration.

Starting point massage

Like deep tissue massage, the goal of trigger massage is to eliminate chronic tension located deep in the muscles. But while deep tissue is ideal for a voltage spread over a large area, the trigger point is better for pain that radiates well from a particular location (or locations).

Benefits: Relieves sciatica pain, rotator cuff problems, stiff joints, plantar fasciitis, and other special problems.

Try it: you have any of the above ailments AND you can handle hard love (trigger point massage has a reputation for being a little painful).

Couples massage

Massage therapists bother two clients side by side in the same room. Swedish massage is a typical method used, but you may also be welcome to request other types of massages, such as deep tissue or hot stone.

Benefits: While a couple of massages is often a romantic context, it’s also a great way to connect with a close friend, sister, mother, daughter, or anyone you don’t want to be partially stripped off.

Try it: you’re looking to reconnect with a romantic partner or you can’t be away from your spa buddy for an hour.

Prenatal massage

The purpose of this massage style is to relieve the gestational pains of expectant mothers. Instead of lying on his back, the client either leans on his side or uses a massage table with a hole cut in it that allows him to lie on his stomach.

Benefits: Reduces pain caused by pregnancy and can also help with depression, insomnia, and anxiety.

Try it: your pregnancy causes you significant back pain (check with your doctor first).

Reflexology is a specialized foot massage during which doctors stimulate precise points in the feet that are believed to correlate with other organs and physical systems.

Benefits: Traditionally, reflexology is believed to help correct imbalances throughout the body. But like any foot massage, it’s also good for relieving tension caused by high heels or being on your feet all day.

Try it if: you are curious about how reflexology can reveal other health issues OR if you just need an excuse to lift your legs for a while.

Thai massage

In a Thai massage, also known as a “yoga massage,” the practitioner usually sees a series of intense stretches performed on a fully dressed client.

Benefits: Better flexibility, greater range of motion, and temporary pain relief are just a few of the reported benefits of Thai massage.

Try it if: you want help to achieve deeper stretches and you like the idea of ​​staying fully dressed during the massage.

Foot massage

Just what it sounds like: a relaxing foot massage.

Benefits: Unlike reflexology, which is specifically designed to target other areas of the body, traditional foot massage only aims to provide relaxation for overloaded feet.

Try it: you have a job that requires you to stay on your feet all day.