MASSAGE THERAPY

Swedish massage is the most commonly offered and best known type of massage. It was developed by a Swedish physiologist, Henri Peter Ling at the University of Stockholm in 1812. It uses a firm but gentle pressure to improve the circulation, ease muscle aches and tension, improve flexibility and create relaxation. The therapist generally uses massage oil to facilitate making long, smooth strokes over the body. Swedish massage is done with the person covered by a sheet, a technique called “draping.” One part of the body uncovered, massaged, and then covered up before moving on to another part of the body.

Swedish massage includes five different movements:

• long, gliding strokes
• kneading of individual muscles
• friction
• hacking or tapping
• vibration

Deep tissue massage is a type of massage aimed at the deeper tissue structures of the muscle and fascia, also called connective tissue.

Deep tissue massage uses many of the same movements and techniques as Swedish massage, but the pressure will generally be more intense. It is also a more focused type of massage, as the therapist works to release chronic muscle tension or knots (also known as “adhesions.”)

Will A Deep Tissue Massage Hurt?

It shouldn’t hurt, but it’s likely to be a bit more uncomfortable than a classic Swedish massage. You should always feel free to speak up if the pressure is too much for you.

How Fast Will I Get Results With A Deep Tissue Massage?

It’s important to be realistic about what one massage can achieve.

Many people ask for more pressure, thinking that if the therapist just pushes hard enough, they can get rid of all their knots in an hour.

This just won’t happen. In fact, undoing chronic knots and tension built up over a lifetime is best achieved with an integrated program that includes exercise, work on your posture and ways of moving, relaxation techniques and a regular program of massage.

Sports massage is designed to help atheletes prepare their bodies for optimal performance, recover after a big event, or function well during training.

But you don’t have to be in the Olympics to benefit from sports massage. Sports massage is also good for people with injuries, chronic pain or restricted range of motion. This is the type of sports massage that you see in the spa.

What Happens During Sports Massage?

Sports massage is a type of Swedish massage that stimulates circulation of blood and lymph fluids. Some sports massage movements use trigger point therapy to break down adhesions (knots in the muscles) and increase range of motion.

Just as the name implies, this is the perfect modality to relieve the stress and tightness caused by your hectic life so that you can return to schedule refreshed and rejuvenated. Blending Swedish and circulatory massage strokes, your therapist will gently knead your muscles to increase flexibility, stimulate circulation, and promote relaxation.

Trigger point massage therapy is specifically designed to alleviate the source of the pain through cycles of isolated pressure and release. In this type of massage for trigger point therapy, the recipient actively participates through deep breathing as well as identifying the exact location and intensity of the discomfort.

The results and benefits of trigger point massage are releasing constricted areas in the muscles thus alleviating pain. You can experience a significant decrease in pain after just one treatment.

Receiving massage with trigger point therapy on a regular basis can help naturally manage pain and stress from chronic injuries.

Prenatal massage can relieve back pain and improve sleep and mood, as well as decrease stress and reduce labor complications. Prenatal massage is best given while you lie on your side propped up by pillows. Neck and shoulder massage is a safe sitting-up option, as well.

Good To Know:

• Avoid contrast hydrotherapy (alternating hot and cold pools or rooms).
• Constant temperatures are best.
• Skip hot baths, steam rooms, and saunas (traditional and infrared).
• Heat and sweat cause decreased blood flow (and blood to pool in your feet), which means the baby gets less oxygen, says Joel Evans, M.D., author of The Whole Pregnancy Handbook.
• Say no to body wraps, which cause perspiration and raise the core body temperature.
• Detoxifying body scrubs are a don’t. It’s possible that scrubs release toxins into the bloodstream, not a good idea when a very tiny person is sharing it! Instead: Try light body buffs for itchy and dry skin.
• Essential oils (concentrated plant extracts) are off-limits during the first trimester, according to Dr. Evans. It’s safe to reintroduce rose, lavender, and chamomile during the second trimester, as long as they’re diluted with twice the amount of carrier oil, but peppermint, rosemary, sage, and jasmine shouldn’t be used at all, Dr. Evans explains, because they can trigger uterine contractions. Some scents can also trigger nausea, so many spas offer scent-free products.
• Listen to your body and let the therapist know if you’re uncomfortable. Some spas use tables with cutouts to accommodate a pregnant belly, but prenatal support pillows are more adjustable and generally more comfortable. Either way, if you aren’t comfortable, ask to switch positions or alter the treatment. Also, speak up if you have to use the bathroom, even mid-treatment.
• Drink plenty of water throughout and after your spa visit.
• If you’re high-risk, check with your doctor before booking.

Give the new mommy a break! A massage can be the ideal antidote to postpartum blues. The benefits of postnatal massage therapy include:

• relaxation
• stress relief
• relieving aches on shoulders or neck
• hastening the reduction of fluid retention helping the uterus to shrink to original size reducing cellulite and to help to tone the body