Overview
Before you can decide which massage style is best for you, you need to ask yourself a few questions: do you simply want a massage for relaxation and stress control? Or do you need symptom relief or help with a certain health condition? Before booking a massage, let the therapist know what you’re looking for and ask which style of massage is suitable for you. Or the therapist may customize your massage, depending on your age, condition, or any special needs or goals you have. A therapist’s recommendation for massage will be at least once a month, but recommendations will depend on your goals as well as individual condition and lifestyle.
Swedish Massage
Swedish massage is the most commonly used form of classical Western massage which reduces stress and increases relaxation. It’s a massage that includes Effleurage, friction, kneading, tapotement and vibration techniques for best results during the treatment. This is best indicated for stress relief, relaxation, and releasing cramped or tense muscles.
Aromatherapy Massage
Aromatherapy massage is known for its revitalizing and balancing powers on both a physiological and emotion level. It’s an amazing
massage with a combination of essential oils; there about 400 essential oils, but only about 40 are commonly used in aromatherapy massage and your massage therapist will conduct an initial consultation with you to understand your desired outcome. Some of the things you may
be asked include: your current state of physical health and your mental state to learn about what you need. Then accordingly the essential oil is chosen specifically according to client’s preference. In this kind of massage, the palms, heal, rotation, thumb pressure and sliding techniques are used for best results.
Hot Stone Massage
Hot stone massage is a variation of the typical massage which uses smooth, water – heated stones on points around the body. These stones are heated in sanitized water before use and the premise behind hot stone massage therapy is that the direct heat of the stones relaxes muscles, allowing the therapist access their deeper muscle layers. Also, there are many health conditions treated with hot stone massage. According to experts, some of the benefits of a hot stone massage include relief for muscle and back pain, arthritis, stress anxiety, depression
and many more.
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage is a very specific massage treatment in which the therapist uses knuckles and elbows to strip out the muscle tissue. Deep tissue massage is also known as sports massage however deeper pressure is beneficial in releasing chronic muscle tension, relieve stress, improve blood flow and to help calm your mind. Deep tissue is not a forceful massage, which means it does not require that the therapist strain in order to press his way through hard and tight muscles or thick fibrous tissue. Instead, this technique requires patiently lengthening
soft tissue layer by layer to release holding patterns that are preventing a client from relaxing. Speak with your professional massage therapist to see if a deep tissue massage therapy would be beneficial for you.
Ayurveda Massage
The body, mind, head, and spirit are all subjected to the ravages of day-to-day stress and health conditions. The natural system of Ayurveda works to restore our ability to get in touch with our natural rhythm.
The Main Treatments include the following:
Abhyangam, which means anointing and in this, medicated oil is massaged all over the body. This is for relaxation and to improve blood circulation.
Elakizhy, which uses warm bags of roasted leaves to boost circulation and restore a glow to your skin, back pain, body pain and arthritis.
Sirodhara uses a special decoction of herbal oil poured in a siring pattern in the forehead. This is meant to induce a sense of complete relaxation and wellbeing.
Navarakizhy is when the therapist massages each marma or pressure points or indulges in a nourishing navarakizhy treatment. That includes oil and warm rice and milk. This helps to strengthen the body and brighten the skin and ease stiff joints.
Powder Massage (known as Udwarthana) this massage is a stimulating and exfoliating therapy using a specially prepared herbal powder in Ayurveda. This is used to relieve stiff muscles, improve flexibility and detoxify your skin.
Article written by: Natali lowe, Spa Manager of Body & Soul Spa in Ajman.
