Types, Facts and Benefits of Massage

Massage is one of the worlds oldest remedial therapies and its health benefits are endless. There are days especially when we're stressed or our body is in pain that we want to have a good massage.

Have a lie-down.

What is Massage?

Massage is the rubbing and kneading of muscles and joints of the body with the use of hands to bring relaxation and relief of pain and tension.

Massage Therapist is what you called the one who's trained to give you a massage.

Types of Massage

Have you ever been into the Spa and you were asked what kind of massage are you getting? And you were like thinking about it and just say, "Just any massage to make me feel better!" Well, that's me on my first time. I didn't know there are many types of it. Oh well! Here you go for the first-timers, here's to chose from.

Swedish Massage Therapy

This is the type of massage ideal if you have lots of tension, sensitive to touch or new to massage. Swedish massage provides muscle relaxation and best if you're recovering from injury.

Massage Therapist use combination of strokes:

• Effleurage which is long smooth strokes

• Petrissage is the kneading and rolling

• Friction is when they stroke you in small circular motions

• Supplement and

• Vibration which is the shaking and rocking strokes

If you're new to massage I suggest you try Swedish Massage first.

Aromatherapy Massage

This is the type of massage ideal in relieving pain and muscle tension, insomnia, boost your mood and reduce depression, stress and anxiety.

Aromatherapy is the type of massage that uses essential oil and is popular nowadays. The scent of the essential oils influence our brain and have been studied that its effective in adjusting person mood.

Let your massage therapist know your preferences and most of the time he/she will decide what's best for you. And please remember to inform your therapist before receiving an aromatherapy massage if you're allergic into some of essential oils or plants so it not cause you skin reaction.

Before receiving an aromatherapy massage, make sure you're not allergic to any of the plants used in the oils, since it may cause a skin reaction.

Shiatsu Massage

This is the type of massage ideal in promoting emotional and physical relaxation, relieving stress, anxiety and depression, relieving headache and reduces muscle tension.

Shiatsu in Japanese means "finger pressure". So this type of massage uses firm pressure to stimulate acupressure points on the body. This finger pressure help regains balance and improves the flow of energy in our body.

Thai Massage

This is the type of massage that improves back pain, reduce anxiety and aligning the energies of our body.

Thai massage is a traditional healing therapy that combines yoga postures, acupressure and the Indian Ayurvedic principles. The therapist will be stretching and twisting you into various positions.

If it's your first time getting a massage don't go for Thai Massage. I'm telling you, the Thai one feels like the therapist is breaking your bone. And stretching sometimes really sore. But afterwards, it will make you feel so much better. And the cracking of neck and body is very satisfying if you're used to it.

Prenatal Massage

This is the type of massage that helps reduce stress, ease muscle tension and pregnancy body pains. Every pregnant woman needs this but not on their first trimester.

Prenatal massage promotes relaxation since women suffer from all sort of pains especially lower back pain and swollen ankles. This is safe and provides amazing relief to pregnant women.

Couples Massage

This is the type of massage that you can do with your partner, family or friends in the same room. Aside from the massage, you can also have access to saunas and other facilities and treatments like manicure and pedicure, facials and body scrubs.

Chair Massage

This is the type of massage you'll want if you're in a rush. It promotes relaxation and helps relieves stress.

A chair massage focuses on your back, neck and shoulder. This is popular in malls and shops too. If you're new in massage then you can try the Chair Massage.

And this is what you called Couple Chair Massage. 😂 My husband is very ticklish so he doesn't like a massage in the spa.

Hot Stone Massage

This is a therapeutic type of massage ideal for those who suffer from muscle pain and tension. It eases the muscle tension, relieves the pain and improves your blood flow using heated stones.

Hot Stone Massage is similar to Swedish only it uses hot stones which are made from basalt.

Please make sure to check on your doctor if you can get a hot stone massage if you have certain medical conditions.

Deep Tissue Massage

This is the type of massage ideal for chronic pain such as injury, soreness or imbalance or lots of muscle tension. It can also help relieve anxiety and tight muscle.

Deep Tissue Massage is more intense than Swedish so you might want to avoid this if you're sensitive to pressure.

Sports Massage

This is the type of massage ideal for treating injuries, enhancing athletes performance, improve flexibility and for faster recovery.

Sports massage strokes are normally faster than the Swedish massage. The therapist may also do some pressure point therapy, friction, compression and joint mobilization.

Massage Facts

• Did you know that 1-hour massage has the same effect as 7-8 hour of sleep on our body?

• Did you know that touch is the first sense to develop in the humans and one of the last one to fade?

• Did you know that Office Workers who get a massage are more alert and perform better than those who are not?

• Did you know that experts estimate that stress is responsible for 80-90% of disease and that stress can be relieved through relaxation massage therapy?

• Did you know that massage improves the health of our body's largest organ which is the skin?

• Did you know that the human body has approximately 5 million touch receptors with more than 3000 in a single fingertip?

Did you know that? Now you know.

Benefits of Massage

So let us try to enumerate some of the massage benefits:

• It helps to relieve pain

• It gives you better sleep

• It helps improve posture

• It helps to promote healing

• It helps remove toxins in our body

• It keeps our muscle healthy

• It enhances blood circulation

• It improves flexibility

• It strengthens our immune system

• It improves our mood

• It alleviates back pain

• It reduces carpal tunnel syndrome

And so on.

This is what we normally do with my office mates before getting a massage. Soak your feet in water to clean it up. I get it twice a month before when I was working. It helps my back pain sitting on the chair for hours and it rubs my stress away.

I love getting a massage. Maybe it started with my parents. When we were young and sick my Mama will massage our back with vicks or coconut oil. We have our traditional massage its called "hilot". And whenever we're not right we just go get a massage/hilot and we're better the next day!

When I get my first massage in Thailand I was like, Oh my goodness gracious, I wanna take her home with me. I love bigger built therapist because I love hard massage. But the stretching at first you want to run because it's just too much for your body most especially if you're not doing exercise, yoga or stretching. So they basically bending you in different positions.

Here's a funny experience. Read this.

The second time I had my massage in Turkey I didn't tell what kind of massage I'm getting and when I get change in their changing room I take off everything and when I was lying down naked with the towel covering me up, I just come to my senses that I was supposed to have my underwear on. So I hurried up before the therapist came to go back to the changing room to put on my undies.

And the most fun part? He's doing a sensual massage! So you better tell the therapist what massage you're getting. And that was my first male therapist. 😅

Here are my tips for you to get the most out of your massage

• Don't eat right before a massage. At least one or a couple of hours and only a light meal.

• Report any discomfort during the massage. You are the boss. Communicate with your therapist, if it's too hard or you want him/her to put more pressure.

• Don't get up as soon as you finish your massage, you will feel dizzy or lightheaded after.

• You have to inform your massage therapist if you are allergic to any oils or lotion before he/she started the massage.

• Drink after the massage. You have to stay hydrated. Most of the spa offers you a cup of tea or water after the service.

And I will end this up with this,

They say you can't buy happiness but then I buy a massage and it's kind of the same thing. And sometimes the most productive thing you can do is to breathe and relax. So breathe deep and relax my dear.

Cheers!

Do you need a massage now and what kind of message would you like?

What's your favourite type of massage?

Have you got any unforgettable massage experience? Comment below!