6 Types of Massage Therapy

Sports massage is a type of treatment that helps people with increased physical activity and not only those, to relieve the stress and tension that is created in the muscles of the body, after intense physical exercise. Hard, long, and regular workouts leave the muscles numb and the body full of pain. This is the main reason you see professional athletes getting massages after workouts or after a race. This allows them to regain muscle elasticity and greatly relax them!

Deep Tissue Massage is a purely therapeutic massage. It focuses on those deeper muscle groups that are very difficult for a therapist to approach with the usual massage techniques. It aims to relax and relieve muscles from tension and stress, this massage exerts rhythmic pressure by intensively exercising the whole body.
Excellent for
• Low back pain
• Limited mobility
• Postural problems
• Effective management of persistent or chronic discomfort
• Penetrating action in smaller "hidden" muscle groups

Shiatsu is a form of therapeutic bodywork massage that originates in Japan and traditional Chinese medicine. Εnsures the harmony of body and mind, as it combines the wisdom, knowledge, and experience of alternative healing. The massage is done employing various massage techniques where the therapist uses his fingers, knuckles, palms, elbows, knees, and fee to concentrate pressure at certain energy pathways in the body called meridians.
The therapist also uses his body weight, which is the reason why the massage is done on the floor on a special mattress.
The technique also includes a series of stretches, is done without oils and with the receiver wearing comfortable clothes without contact with the naked body.

During a hot stone massage, the techniques of a regular massage are applied, like a Swedish massage. The therapist places stones on specific points on the body and these points may vary depending on the areas of muscle tension if the stones are hotter than you can handle the therapist use a towel bellow the hot stone. The stones are smooth and flat and usually made of the volcanic rock type called basalt. These particular stones are chosen because they retain heat. Usually are heated between 110 F and 130 F the heated stone can help to recover faster trough the improved blood circulation and oxygen that flow in to the muscle. The stones used for a hot stone massage are placed in hot water to warm up before being applied. They are then placed onto specific areas of the body, such as: • the back
• the stomach
• the face
• the hands
• the feet
Some massage therapists hold the stones in their hands and use them to massage with. This allows the therapist to get deeper into the muscles without extra pressure, helping their client to relax yet further!

Hawaiian lomi lomi massage is an ancient massage method, originating from the Hawaiian Islands. The method and characteristics of this massage are based on a tradition of hundreds of years. In ancient Polynesia, the Lomi Lomi massage flourished, but with the arrival of conquerors in 1820, their culture was imposed and the Polynesian spiritual culture was strongly attacked, with the result that this massage is done with absolute discretion in a closed circle. That’s the reason why lomi lomi is also called the secret massage. A characteristic of this massage is that two or more parts of the body "work" at the same time. This helps the mind to relax because it is difficult to concentrate in two places at the same time, resulting in abandoning any effort, "closing the switch" and surrendering. Lomi Lomi therapist uses intuitive movement, breathing, rhythm, focused intention to activate the body and bring profound changes and balance to the recipient.

Swedish massage is known as the western massage that has its roots in Sweden and is the most widely used in America where it is often combined with other types of massage. From the Swedish massage came other types of massage, such as sports and deep tissue massage. That's why they have some similar technics. Swedish massage is a good solution for beginners or people who need something more intense than a relaxing massage. It is applied on a naked body using essential oils or lotions that suit your skin type.