What are types of massage and which one suits you best?

Nina Wongsuratrakul
Feb 15
7 min read

Updated: Feb 17

Massage therapy aims to reduce body ache and stress for centuries - Photo credit: Wix media

Massage therapy is a type of manual treatment that involves manipulating the body's soft tissues to alleviate stress, relieve muscle tension, and enhance relaxation and overall health. This hands-on method is executed by skilled massage therapists.

Massage has been practiced for centuries. Nowadays, if you seek for a massage, you can select from around 80 different styles of massage therapy, each offering a range of pressures, movements, and techniques. These methods all involve pressing, rubbing, or manipulating muscles and other soft tissues using hands and fingers, and sometimes even forearms, elbows, or feet.

The American Massage Therapy Association reports that roughly 21% of Americans received some form of massage in 2020. They have numerous reasons for doing so. Increasingly, individuals, particularly baby boomers, are acknowledging the health benefits of massage. They opt for various massage styles to alleviate symptoms, heal injuries, assist with specific health conditions, and enhance overall wellness.

This informtion is some information to help you decide which types of massage might be most beneficial for you.

Types of Massage Therapy

-Swedish massage-

Swedish massage therapy is the most prevalent form of massage. It features gentle, elongated, kneading strokes along with light, rhythmic, tapping motions on the upper layers of muscles. This technique is also integrated with joint movements. By alleviating muscle tension, Swedish therapy can provide relaxation and revitalization, and it may even assist in recovery after an injury.

-Deep tissue massage-

Deep tissue massage is ideal for addressing specific painful and stiff "trouble spots" in your body. The massage therapist applies slow, intentional strokes that concentrate pressure on the layers of muscles, tendons, or other tissues located deep beneath your skin. While it is less rhythmic compared to other massage types, deep tissue massage can be therapeutic, alleviating chronic tension patterns and aiding in muscle injuries like back sprains.

-Sports massage-

Designed to assist with the muscle systems utilized in a specific sport, sports massage employs various techniques to aid athletes in training—whether before, during, or after sports events. It can be used to enhance flexibility and prevent injuries. Additionally, it may help alleviate muscle strains and accelerate recovery following a sports injury.

-Chair massage-

Have you ever attended a county fair, music festival, or conference and felt envious of others receiving chair massages? Or perhaps you've walked past the chair massage area at an airport? Maybe you're fortunate enough to be employed at a company that provides 15- to 20-minute massages as a regular perk. Chair massages are performed while you're seated, fully clothed, in a portable chair specifically designed for this purpose. They typically include a massage of your neck, shoulders, back, arms, and hands.

-Shiatsu massage-

In Japanese, shiatsu translates to “finger pressure.” During a shiatsu massage, the therapist applies different rhythmic pressures to specific points on the body. These are known as acupressure points and are thought to be crucial for the flow of the body's vital energy, known as chi. Supporters claim that shiatsu massage can assist in alleviating blockages at these acupressure points.

Thai stretching : Photo credit: Media from Wix

-Thai massage-

In a Thai massage, the therapist utilizes their body to position the client in different postures. This massage style includes muscle compression, stretching, joint mobilization, and acupressure.

-Reflexology-

Reflexology involves using hand, thumb, and finger techniques to stimulate specific areas of the feet. These areas are thought to correspond to various parts of the body. The massage is, therefore, intended to enhance health and well-being.

-Trigger point massage-

In a trigger point massage session, a skilled therapist directly applies pressure to the identified trigger points to alleviate tension and eliminate pain. The intensity of the pressure can vary, and the therapist may utilize their fingers, knuckles, elbows, or other tools to effectively target specific areas. The goal of the trigger point massage is to facilitate the release of contracted muscle fibers, enhance blood circulation to the affected region, and promote muscle relaxation.

-Pregnancy massage-

Throughout pregnancy, your body undergoes significant transformations. Prenatal or pregnancy massage can assist with these changes by alleviating stress, reducing swelling in the arms and legs, and easing muscle and joint discomfort. This type of massage can be especially beneficial when medication and other medical treatments might be restricted. The massage therapist will use specially designed massage pillows to help you find a comfortable position for this massage.

Head and neck massage with myofascial release technique : Photo credit : Wix media

-Cranial sacral massage-

This technique is mostly used to alleviate headaches, migraines, neck and back pain, stress-related conditions, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, and some neurological disorders. In a cranial sacral massage session, a skilled therapist applies gentle touch and delicate movements to evaluate and correct any imbalances or restrictions in the craniosacral system. This system comprises the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that encase and safeguard the brain and spinal cord.

-Myofascial release-

The fascia is an interconnected network of tissues that supports muscles, bones, organs, and other structures in the body. In a myofascial release session, a skilled therapist applies gentle pressure to certain body areas to alleviate tightness in the fascial system. The therapist might use their hands, fingers, elbows, or specialized tools to exert pressure and stretch the fascia, promoting its return to a more relaxed state.

-Lymphatic drainage massage-

movement of lymph through your system.

A lymphatic drainage massage involves gently massaging your tissues to enhance the flow of lymph fluids in your body.Lymph is a protein-rich fluid that circulates through your body in lymph vessels, collecting bacteria, viruses, and waste, and transporting them to your lymph nodes. The lymph nodes then filter the fluid to remove impurities from your body. This massage typically uses light pressure with gentle, long strokes along the skin to promote lymph movement through your system.

-Hot stone massage-

In this type of massage, the therapist positions heated stones on specific parts of the body, like acupressure points. These stones can serve as massage tools or be left in place temporarily. When combined with other massage methods, hot stones can provide a deeply soothing and relaxing experience by transferring heat into the body.

Massage Benefits

Various massage techniques provide advantages beyond mere relaxation. Here are some health issues that might improve with massage. Nonetheless, consult your doctor before using massage for any medical condition.

Sleep
Immune function
Constipation
Anxiety
Digestive disorders
Nerve pain
Postoperative care
Scar tissue
Soft tissue strains and injuries
Sports injuries
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders

Massage Therapy and Pain

Back Pain. Several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of massage therapy in alleviating back pain.
Headache. Headaches are another type of pain that respond well to massage therapy. Some research indicates that massage therapy can enhance sleep and decrease the frequency of migraines.
Osteoarthritis. In the initial clinical trial assessing the effectiveness of Swedish massage for knee osteoarthritis, participants who underwent a one-hour massage once or twice a week experienced improvements in pain, stiffness, and function, unlike the control group.
Fibromyalgia. Research shows that over a period of 5 weeks, massage therapy can alleviate symptoms such as pain, anxiety, and depression.

Massage therapy and cancer

For cancer: Massage therapy is utilized alongside traditional Western medicine to encourage relaxation and alleviate cancer symptoms or treatment side effects. It can assist in reducing pain, swelling, fatigue, nausea, or depression while enhancing immune system function. Nevertheless, there are certain areas a massage therapist should steer clear of in a cancer patient, as well as instances when massage should be completely avoided. Consult your doctor before pursuing massage therapy if you have cancer.

Massage therapy and HIV/AIDS

HIV/AIDS: Studies indicate that massage therapy might enhance the quality of life and address the anxiety and depression experienced by individuals with HIV or AIDS.

Massage therapy and mental health

Depression. An analysis of 17 clinical trials indicated that massage therapy could assist in alleviating depression. However, for generalized anxiety disorder, it was not more effective than creating a soothing environment and practicing deep breathing exercises.

Massage Therapy Risks

Massage therapy generally carries a low risk. However, there have been infrequent reports of severe side effects, including nerve damage, blood clots, or bone fractures. These cases are occasionally linked to more vigorous forms like deep tissue massage or involve individuals who may have a higher susceptibility to injury, such as the elderly.

A right therapist takes time: Photo : Wix

How to Find a Massage Therapist

When looking for a massage therapist, treat it as looking for any other type of medical professional. First, define your goals. Determine what type of massage you're looking for so you can narrow down your search.

Ask for recommendations from friends and family. If your inner circle doesn't have a trusted massage therapist they rely on, expand your search online. Check online directories that include reviews.

Once you've set your sights on a few professionals, research their credentials. Make sure they are licensed and registered to work in your area. Then, find out what they charge and if that is in your budget.

After you have verified that this person seems like a good fit and works in an area that is within a reasonable distance from you, set up a consultation so you can meet them and discuss your concerns. After you have met them, trust your gut on whether this person seems like someone you can trust with your well-being.

Takeaways

Massage therapy is a type of treatment that involves moving the soft tissues in your body to achieve relaxation and overall well-being. There are many types of massage therapy that are done by licensed professionals ranging from hot stone massages to specialty treatments for when you're pregnant.

Massage therapy is proven to improve several health conditions. If you think massage therapy is right for you, look into finding the right therapist who specializes in the treatment that will be best for you.