What kind of massage should I get?

So I had someone ask me the other day, how do I choose what kind of massage to get? There are so many to choose from. So I thought that I would shed some light on the differences between most massages offered at spas, hotels, or through a private practitioner.

Swedish massage: This is the most basic and most well known massage available. It is based on 5 techniques developed first by the Swiss. The first technique is effleurage, clearly its a French word meaning long, gliding strokes. An effleurage can be done by the hand, palm, forearm, and elbow. Usually Swedish massage is light to moderate pressure and the deepest of the effleurages is the elbow. Next is petrissage, this is a technique that is much like kneading bread. Then we have tapotement, which is when you have seen the karate-chops to the back, it is a percussive type move that is only done with the hands. The next two are not used as often as the previous techniques, friction and vibration. Friction is just what it sounds like, causing a heating of the muscles through friction. Then Vibration is when you literally vibrate your hands on someone, or the use of a few massage devices that vibrate themselves. (Clearly the machines are less work and produce a greater vibration. This is what is usually contained with a Swedish massage, but most other massage is based on the Swedish technique.

Sports Massage: This is a basic Swedish massage, using a deeper pressure and focusing on an Athletes problem areas. Stretching and thermo or cryotherapy can also be used. If you are physically active on a regular basis than the sports massage is your best option, to stay limber and get rid of lactic acid build up and 'knots' aka adhesion's.

Deep Tissue Massage: Ok, for you first timers, don't even consider deep tissue until you have had 2-3 massages. The reason I say this is because when you go to the average spa or clinic, when we see deep tissue on our schedules that means sweat for us. So your muscles will probably be sore and sometimes people get headaches, or don't feel well the day of, or the day after a deep tissue massage. 2 reasons: Release of toxins, and release of lactic acid build up. Most patients actually feel as if they had worked out the day after a deep tissue. Secondly our body stores many things in our bodies, the fat cells, and cerebro-spinal fluid contains most of the toxins. As a massage therapist we will work on those areas causing a release of those toxins, patients can be affected by these toxins, giving them headaches, lightheaded, and nauseated. This is why EVERY massage therapist will tell you "Drink lots of water!". It flushes the toxins out quicker.

Hot Stone Massage: Hot stones are a great tool in the massage room, the use of heat during deep tissue manipulation can ease the pain of the pressure and just feel good!! Hot stones are usually a smooth, black river stone, these retain the most heat and being smooth is a must. The best hot stone massages are when the therapist uses the stones as an extension of their hand. Massaging with the stones, not just laying them on the clients back.

Maternity Massage: this one should be obvious. Only for the moms-to-be and the therapist takes great care with the massage, avoiding deep tissue around the low back, hands, and feet. For the mothers having difficulties with carrying the baby it can be most relieving to them. Trigger points in the ankle area are known to cause labor, so for the late arrival babies, its possible to induce labor.

Lymphatic Drainage Massage: for the stubborn sinus infection, or a case of lymphadema, a lymphatic drainage massage could be just what the Dr. ordered! This is a very light massage meant to only affect the Lymphatic system, the removal of lymph from areas it might be caught in is beneficial to your health.

Aromatherapy and massage, using aromas during a relaxing massage can increase relaxation or open sinus passages that may get clogged during the massage. Aromatherapy is used in our everyday life and can be a pleasant addition to a massage.

Trigger Points and Reflexology.....these are both pinpoint pressure techniques used for two different purposes. Trigger points are located across the body and can be useful when experiencing radiating pain or tingling. This may hurt at first and can relieve many muscles at once. Reflexology is performed on the hands and feet, used to relieve other areas of the body, like the internal organs.

There are dozens of other massage and bodywork techniques, do your research and ask your friends because massage is a great way of relieving pain and stress!