The Top
Six Massage Techniques
Massage is probably the oldest and simplest existing
form of medical care that it has been applied for
relaxation, fitness, and other health purposes.
Basically, massage therapy is a therapeutic technique
that involves manipulation of the soft tissues of the
body. It is the calming, therapeutic process of
kneading, stroking, and pressing the different areas of
the body to alleviate pain, relieve stress and tensions,
or relax, stimulate and tone the body.
Well, as what most experts have said, massage, no matter
how simple or complex the techniques involved, can
really be a great healing system.
A number of massage techniques are available nowadays.
The massage is commonly applied in different techniques
and in different strokes. The techniques and strokes
vary widely from the most delicate touch with the
fingertips to the more focused deep tissue work. These
techniques may even vary in speed as well as in
pressure.
Below is a list of the top rated massage techniques.
Read on for one of them might be the right option for
you.
Deep Tissue Massage
The deep tissue massage, on the most basic, is a massage
technique that focuses on the deeper layers of muscle
tissue. It involves a number of slow movements, but
generally the pressure is more intense as it aims to
release the chronic patterns of tension in the body.
The
most common target of these movements and deep finger
pressure are the contracted areas, either following or
going across the muscles of the fiber, fascia and
tendons. Usually, in this kind of massage, the
therapists use their thumb, fingers and even elbows to
apply the needed pressure.
Swedish Massage
Also included in the line of the top rated massage
techniques is the so-called Swedish massage. Basically,
this technique involves the use of kneading, tapping or
calming strokes applied to the entire body to loosen
sore joints and relieve muscle tension and pain.
Well,
what sets Swedish massage unique from the other massage
techniques is that it involved five major beneficial
strokes: effleurage, petrissage, friction, tapotement,
and vibration. Although each of these strokes differ
according to their movements and target points, all of
them are developed to promote an ultimate feeling of
being pampered.
There is one particular purpose that the Swedish massage
is strongly holding – to increase the flow of oxygen in
the blood and release toxins that were trapped in the
muscles. With this purpose alone, the Swedish massage
highly works to shorten the recovery time from muscular
strain
Sports Massage
Sports massage, as you may know, is a form of massage
that is applied for sports purposes, hence the name. It
is the technique of kneading and manipulating the soft
tissues in the body to help athletes improve their
performance, prevent and treat sports injuries.
It is
highly considered in the field of sports knowing that as
the participation in sports becoming more popular at all
genders and ages and as performances continue to improve
annually, more is expected and demanded from the
athletes. It is with this situation that athletes start
looking for some effective ways to boost their
performances, and sports massage is one of the best
solutions they’ve ever discovered.
Heated Stone Massage
Heated stone massage, also known as la stone massage, is
widely appreciated and accepted in the healthcare and
bodywork industry today. Several clinics, spas, fitness
centers, and other healthcare establishments have in
fact considered it a very effective alternative to the
regular massage therapy.
During the heated stone massage procedure, the
therapists and the clients themselves will notice
certain changes on the body temperature, including the
heart and breathing rates. Heated stone massage is used
to indicate such changes to determine the flow of the
blood and the exchange of blood and oxygen in the body,
allowing a sense of well-being in the end. That’s
basically how the heated stone massage works.
Neuromuscular Massage
This is actually a form of deep tissue massage that is
applied to the individual muscles. However, the main
purpose of the massage techniques involved here is to
increase the blood and lymphatic flow, while reducing
the pain and release pressure trapped on the nerves. The
neuromuscular massage techniques are also considered to
release the trigger points which could help relieve
headaches and the pain in your shoulder.
Rolfing
Rolfing also hit the line of the most well-known and
widely performed massage techniques available. This
technique, on the most basic, involves reeducating the
body about proper posture. Yes, posture is given much
attention here for the belief that posture highly
determines health problems like headaches, backaches and
joint pain. With that focus, the rolfing massage
techniques no doubt seek to straighten and realign your
body by working the myofascia, which is actually the
connective tissue that assists to hold your body
together. This tissue surrounds your muscles.
by Nishanth Reddy
Nishanth Reddy is an author and publisher of many health
related websites. For more information on different
massage techniques, massage centers, massage oils and
massage equipment,
Visit his website:
http://www.massage-therapy-guide.com
