10 Most Comforting Types of Massage
The massage therapy industry today is worth almost $20 billion. Since globalisation, customers have been pampered with a huge variety of massage therapies to choose from, depending on their needs as well as choice. Massage therapy institutions are expanding at a rapid pace and several accredited institutions around the world provide massage therapists with all the knowledge they need for a perfect body massage therapy. Thanks to technology, today a customer is much more aware of their own bodies and their needs and the choice of massage that suits their body the best. Get your favourite Body massage at the best Massage Centre in Chennai.
While there are almost a hundred types of massage, here is a list of the most popular massages when it comes to comfort-
Swedish Massage: Swedish Massage, also known as the Classic Massage is arguably the most popular form of massage therapy across the globe. One of the reasons for its popularity is in its pressure component. Generally, Swedish massage is a much gentler form of massage but is extremely effective in alleviating stress and unclogging the knots in the body. The origin of Swedish Massage dates back to the mid-1830s when a Swedish fencing instructor Per Henrik Ling supposedly healed himself by tapping his injured elbows. Since then, science-backed research has resulted in the evolution of the massage. Today, Swedish massage is available across gyms, spa, wellness centres, clinics all over the world. The massage typically begins with a warm-up of long gentle strokes across the body. Then, there are some techniques that are followed throughout the world. Effleurage follows a long, slow and gliding motion that moves from the extremities of the body towards the heart. Petrissage is a technique that follows a kneading-like motion. It helps in reducing muscle tension, improving blood circulation. Friction goes deep into the muscle layers in the small muscle areas. Tapotement is a choppy movement across the body to stimulate specific areas. A therapist generally combines all these techniques to loosen and relax the muscles and provide a relaxing massage session.
Thai Massage: Thai massage has gained tremendous popularity over the years. This is due to the integration of various principles of massage therapy. A Thai Massage generally combines Yogic Postures, Indian Ayurveda and Acupuncture. The practice of "Nuat Phaen Thai" has been around for thousands of years. The massage therapy technique has close ties with Buddhism and Hinduism as it was developed by Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha, a friend of Buddha. The striking feature of Thai Massage that sets it apart from other forms of massages is that Thai Massage does not use oils or lotions. Rather, it focuses on deep compressing, rhythmic actions like kneading, pulling, stretching. The pressure and vibrations help in loosening of the muscles. It aims to correct the body balance by focusing on the "Shen-lines" of the body.
Do you know these Surprising Benefits of Body Massage? Book Spa in Chennai Now!
Aromatherapy Massage: Today, customers prefer natural products without artificial preservatives. People have switched to herbal products and rely on the goodness of nature for their well-being. This is precisely the reason why Aromatherapy is well known across the world. The goodness of natural essential oils, lotions and compounds provides healing properties for both physical and mental well-being. The precise has been popularized since the 1930s when a french book "Aromathérapie: Les Huiles Essentielles, Hormones Végétales" by René-Maurice Gattefossé mentioned about modern-day aromatherapy. Some examples of the essential oils include clary sage, black pepper oil, lavender, eucalyptus, Ylang-ylang, rose oil. Elderly people also prefer this form of massage due to its healing effects on joints, enhancing lymphatic flow throughout the body. Another group of customers are drawn to the soothing fragrances of natural oils that provide them with a feeling of calmness and relaxation. Get into the best Massage in Velachery and book your aromatherapy massage appointment right now!.
Hot stone massage: Whenever you google the word "massage", chances are that you will stumble across at least one picture of a masseuse performing the hot stone massage on a client. The popularity of hot stone massages has grown over time. As the name suggests, the massage therapy relies on placing warm, smooth stones on specific points of the body. Usually, the stones are Basalt(due to its heat-retaining capacity). Research has shown the heated stones work wonders when it comes to relaxing the muscles, and relieve tension at various points. This therapy is based on the release of the "qi" points of the body. Generally, the stones are placed on the spine, stomach region, chest, face, palms, feet and toes. The therapist normally uses tapping, long strokes, vibration, circular movements across the body. Research has proven that a hot stone massage can work extremely well in fighting anxiety and stress. It also promotes sleep and improves the quality of sleep significantly. Insomnia patients all over the world prefer this form of massage for tackling their problems. A study by the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management also found out that this form of massage may help patients dealing with arthritis.
Deep Tissue Massage: There are many people around the world who prefer a more intense, tough form of massage. They feel that the gentler forms of massages do not reach the deeper layers of the muscles. Deep tissue massage is often the solution they go for. This massage therapy has been around since ancient civilizations, like the Greek and Egyptian Civilizations. It was popularized by the United States and Canada during the mid-1900s. The massage therapy isolates and targets muscle knots and specific problem areas of the body. A massage therapist varies the amount of pressure throughout the massage session, starting from gentle slow strokes of friction to warm up the muscle to rigorously kneading the muscles to penetrate deep into the connective tissues. Research has shown that chronic patients and people with lingering injuries or immobility have benefitted from this form of massage therapy. It also provides much needed mental release in the form of serotonin. Therapists practising this form of massage needs more advanced training regarding the muscular system to understand bodies better. A professional deep tissue massage is one of the most relaxing massages for the body.
Do you know Benefits of SPA Treatments? Book for a Massage Centre in Manapakkam Now!
Shiatsu: It is a more modern form of massage that has its roots in ancient Chinese culture. It also derives a Japanese Massage Modality called Anma. It is a form of Japanese bodywork that focuses on localized pressure throughout the body. It is believed that the body is connected to pathways called "meridians". The massage therapy is generally done using the fingers(hands and elbows also included) applied in a rhythmic sequence throughout the body. The therapist holds each position for around two to eight seconds. Acupuncture is central to the concept of Shiatsu. The stimulation of Acupuncture points improve the flow of "qi" throughout the body and help regain balance. Shiatsu massage therapy does not use any oils or lotions. The client is often asked to wear loose clothes for better mobility. It is normally done on a mat or on the floor or a low-lying massage table. The therapist often varies pressure from point to point. It requires extensive study of energy points and the amount of pressure that can stimulate the points. It works extremely well for stress, anxiety and insomnia too.
Sports massage: Athletes all over the world prefer this advanced form of massage therapy and rely greatly on this for their pre-event conditioning, post-event conditioning as well as maintaining their condition for practice. The origin of this form of massage is believed to be in the Roman and Greek Civilizations. Modern-day sports massage was popularized by the Soviet Union during the 1960s when they would send their athletes along with the massage therapists for different international events. It is a highly specialized form of massage and hence the therapist generally obtains a lot of information about the client, their age, physical conditions, injuries, preferences, and goals. Special emphasis is given on sore or injured body parts. The massage generally begins with a gentle stroking session to warm-up the muscles. Generally, stroking techniques like Effleurage, Petrissage, kneading, rolling, crabbing, friction, cross-fibre friction may be used. There is no specific sequence in this form of massage and it depends on the health of the athlete and the expertise of the therapist. Cupping is another latest form of sports massage that involves placing heated cups made of silicone, glass or bamboo to create a vacuum suction when the skin gets sucked into the cups. This enhances blood flow and stimulates the nerves all over the body.
Do you know Importance of Foot Massage Therapy? Book for a Massage in Chennai Now!
Reflexology: As technology is advancing, massages are targeting muscles more specifically. Foot reflexology or "zone therapy" is an alternative medical practice. This therapy is a modern form of massage that uses finger pressure, kneading, rubbing to promote healing and relaxation throughout the body. The term "reflexology" comes from the concept of reflex points all over the body. The energy of the hands and feet are believed to be connected to various organs and body parts. Although the concept of feet massage has been there since ancient civilizations, it was modernised in the 1930s by American physiologist Eunice Ingram. Therapists study the "zone therapy" map of the hands and the feet to understand the exact points of reflex to provide the clients with a highly specialized form of massage that is known to calm the nerves and provide mental and physical de-stressing.
Prenatal Massage: Labour period is often characterized by stress, body aches, muscle tension. Prenatal massage or "pregnancy massage" has been popular for a long time. Research proves that the massage helps in the release of serotonin that relieves stress. It also enhances blood flow which is often necessary for the healthy development of the baby and ensures proper movement of the mother. The lymphatic system has to be in the most efficient condition since the extra weight of the baby has to be borne. The massage enhances the lymphatic flow and flushes out toxins from the body. These massages also help the mothers relieve insomnia, joint pain, back pain and back pain. This massage form is very gentle and is performed by specialists only. It begins with a gentle foot rub by rubbing the top of the foot. It then uses circular motions around the ankle. It proceeds towards a back rub, focusing on the spine and lower back. It then proceeds to a shoulder rub to reduce the burden and ease the muscles.
Scalp massage: Almost everyone is used to scalp massages at home. Be it your mother or your grandmother, the art of massaging oils into your scalp has been around for ages. Today, scalp massage is also seen as a specialized professional massage. It has gained tremendous importance since the conditions like pattern baldness, hair thinning, dandruff, and alopecia have increased exponentially. Often known as the DIY(Do it yourself) massage, the therapy uses fingertips to provide pressure to enhance the flow of blood around the scalp region. The hands then work their way through the scalp, covering all the areas. This massage therapy can be done with or without oils. Research has proven scalp massage to help enhance hair thickness, promote hair growth. It is also one of the most relaxing massage forms since the enhanced blood flow helps the body feel re-energized.
Do you know Advantages of Facial Massage? Book for a Massage in Ramapuram Now!