What types of massage are there? The Ultimate Guide for Choosing Yours
Have you ever thought “I need a massage”, but I’ve felt overwhelmed at the amount of weird names in the services menu? Lomi Lomi, Shiatsu, deep tissue, Drainage… The world of the massage is incredibly vast, and although all are looking for our well-being, not all serve the same purpose.
Is not the same as the massage takes an athlete after a marathon search for a person with stress and anxiety. Choose the type of massage incorrect not only can be a disappointment, but, in some cases, it may not be what your body needs!
As experts in bodily well-being, we want to help you navigate this wonderful world. This article is not just a list; it’s your personal map to understand what types of massage are there, what each one and which is the perfect one for you in this precise moment.
Let’s break down the massages are more popular and effective, grouped by their main objective. Because, at the end of the day, it is important to know what you can expect when you lie on the couch.
Massage therapy and well-being: The Body as a Priority,
This group of massage is focused on a clear goal: solve a physical problem,. Whether it be pain, an injury, fluid retention, or a stiffness that will not let you live, these techniques go to the root of the problem.
Sports massage
If you are an active person, you exercise regularly or you are competing, this is your massage. It is designed specifically for the needs of the athlete:
Pre-competition: Activates the muscles and prepares them for the effort.
Post-competition: Helps to relax, reduce inflammation, and remove toxins (like lactic acid).
Maintenance: Prevents injuries, treats, overloads and improves flexibility.
A Sports Massage professional focuses not only relax, but also in performance and recovery. A sports Massage in Ibiza, for example, focuses on the specific needs of the athletes who train or compete on the island, adapting to the type of effort (cycling, running, crossfit) to keep your muscles in an optimal status.
Osteopathy Integral
Osteopathy is more of a discipline of health that a massage in itself, but their approach is fascinating. One of osteopathic medicine sees the body as a cascaded unit (muscles, bones, organs, fascia). Not only will your back pain, but seek why you hurt.
The Osteopathy Integral uses manipulations, soft (structural, visceral, cranial) to restore the balance of the body and its self-healing ability. It is ideal if you have chronic pain, postural problems or discomfort will come and go without a clear cause.
Lymphatic Drainage
This is one of the more subtle techniques and, at the same time, more powerful. The lymphatic system is the “system cleaning” of the body, but sometimes it slows down. The Lymphatic Drainage (such as the method Vodder) uses movements are very gentle, slow and rhythmic.
There is a pressure massage. Its goal is to “push” gently lymph (the fluid) to the lymph nodes so that the body can eliminate toxins and excess fluid. It is wonderful to:
Reduce fluid retention (swelling).
Improve post-operative recovery (especially in cosmetic surgeries).
Relieve the feeling of heaviness and improve the immune system.
Massage for Tired Legs
Do you Spend on your feet all day at work? Or, on the contrary, you are 8 hours sitting in front of the computer? Both situations tend to destroy the circulation in your legs.
Massage for Tired Legs is a specific treatment that combines massage techniques circulatory and, sometimes, lymphatic drainage. Focuses on reactivating the blood flow from the feet upward, relieving almost immediately the feeling of heaviness, pain and tingling. Given the lifestyle of the island, a Massage for tired legs in Ibiza is a relief, critical for those who work standing or walking a lot.
Electroacupuncture
Here we are in the high-tech well-being. The Electroacupuncture takes the principles of traditional acupuncture (using needles at points of energy-specific) and power.
Connects a machine to the needles which emits an electrical current of low intensity. Don’t worry, it’s a tingling feeling nice! This electrical stimulation allows a relief of pain is deeper and more rapid, being incredibly effective for chronic pain, facial paralysis or muscle injuries severe.
Massage Relaxation, and Harmony: Calmness to the Mind,
This group seeks to disconnect. The goal is to calm the nervous system, reduce cortisol (the stress hormone) and take you to a peaceful state of mind.
Relaxing Massage
Is the king of the massage, the most well-known and requested. And with good reason. If you feel that the stress beats you, that your mind is going at a thousand per hour, or you simply need an hour to “resetearte”, this is your starting point.
A relaxing Massage uses techniques soft and fluid, mainly of Swedish massage (now we’ll talk about him). The movements are long, envelopes, and with a pressure half-soft, designed to calm your nervous system and improve circulation without causing pain. A relaxing Massage in Ibiza it is the perfect example of this, looking for complete disconnection in an environment that invites calm.
Body massage (Full Body Massage)
a Lot of people question: “what is the name of the full body massage?”. Well, even though many massages can be “full body”, the term often refers to a Body Massage of type a relaxing or Swedish.
Involves working the whole body: back, neck, shoulders, arms, hands, legs (front and back) and feet. A Body Massage (60 min) usually the standard for a complete job. Sometimes, it also includes the abdomen, and the face if the customer wants it. The idea is to leave no area unattended, leading to a feeling of harmony and relaxation.
Head massage
Did you Know that we accumulate an amount of tension on the scalp, face and neck? The Head Massage (sometimes called Mushrooms, of indian origin) focuses on these areas.
By pressure digital, frictions, and the small stretch in the neck, releasing tensions which are often the cause of headaches, migraines, eyestrain, and up to bruxism (clenching of the jaw). A head Massage in Ibiza is a fantastic option to ease the mind after a long day and leaves you in a state of “flotation” of mind.
Facial massage
beyond the aesthetics, the Facial Massage is therapeutic. The muscles in our face are small, but they work non-stop (talking, gesticulating, eating).
This massage uses techniques delicate to relax those muscles, improve the circulation (which gives that “glow” to the skin, stimulate the production of collagen and help to drain fluid (goodbye, bags). A facial Massage in Ibiza professional usually combined techniques such as the Kobido (facelift japanese) with movements of dewatering for a rejuvenating effect and relaxing.
Oriental massages and Holistic Experiences,
These massages come from ancient traditions and see the body not only as muscles and bones, but as a map of energy (Ki, Prana, Chi).
Thai Massage
If you think that the massage is just lie down and relax, Thai Massage in Ibiza you will be amazed. It is known as “yoga for the lazy”.
Is performed on a futon on the floor.
Wear comfortable clothing (no oils are used).
The therapist uses their hands, thumbs, elbows, knees and even feet.
It is a combination of acupressure (pressure on energy lines “Sen”) and passive stretches that your therapist will perform. It is invigorating, it releases blockages and improves flexibility dramatically. Sales of the session feeling refreshed and “open”.
Massage Lomi Lomi
Originally from Hawaii, its name means “hands that love him.” It is, perhaps, one of the massages that are more fluid and enclosures that exist.
The technique star Massage Lomi Lomi in Ibiza is the use of the forearms in long strokes and continuous, almost like a dance, that run throughout the body (for example, from the shoulder to the foot in a single movement). Oil is used abundant and the feeling is as if the waves of the sea you were rocking it. It is deeply healing emotionally and physical.
Massage Esthetic: well-being that you Note on the Outside
Although your aim is to improve the appearance, these techniques have profound health benefits, such as improved circulation and elimination of toxins.
Maderoterapia
Yes, as it sounds: therapy with wood. The Maderoterapia is a technique colombian who uses different instruments made of wood (smooth rollers, rollers, buckets, cups, Swedish, tables) anatomically designed.
It is used to:
Reshape the body contour.
To reduce cellulite and orange peel skin.
Drain and remove localized fat.
Tone the skin.
The instruments allow you to apply deep pressure, and specifies that “breaks” the deposits of fat and stimulates lymphatic drainage.
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Speaking of therapeutic techniques, it is very common to confuse disciplines who work with their hands. If you’ve ever wondered What are the differences between physiotherapy and osteopathy?, we have written an article that clarifies exactly what makes each professional and what you need.
Frequently Asked questions: Solving your doubts about massage
We have compiled the most common questions people ask before booking a massage, for you to go with total confidence.
What are the massage more requested?
Without a doubt, the two massage star at any facility are:
Massage Relaxing: people are looking for, above all, disconnect from the stress and anxiety daily.
The deep tissue Massage: we Live in the era of the “bad posture” (mobile, computer). The pain of back, neck and shoulders is so common that this massage focuses on dissolving “knots” (contractures), it is a basic necessity for many.
What are the 5 types of massage? (The short list)
If we were to summarize the immense variety in the “big 5” for popularity and different objectives, are:
Swedish Massage (Relaxing): The basis of the relaxation western.
Deep tissue massage (Deep Tissue): For muscle pain.
Sports massage: For the physical performance.
Lymphatic drainage For fluid retention and detoxification.
Thai massage (or Shiatsu): As the great exponent of eastern techniques based on energy and stretching.
What are the 7 massage techniques most commonly used? (Or the 5 basic)
This is an excellent question that demonstrates expertise. More “types” of massage, these are the movements that a therapist uses, and come mainly from the Swedish Massage, which is the basis of almost all in the West.
Known as the 5 basic techniques of massage (or movements):
Effleurage (Roce): Are the movements long and sliders that begins and ends a massage. Used to apply the oil, warm up the area and “introduce” themselves to the body of the client.
Petrissage (Kneading):M It is the movement of “knead” as if it were bread. You grab, pinch and twist a muscle. It’s great to release tension deep, and improve blood circulation.
Friction (Friction): short strokes, deep circular, often made with the thumbs or knuckles. It is used to “break” adhesions and knots (contractures) in the muscle.
Tapotement (Percussion): Are the “tapping”. Can be with the edge of the hand (hacheado), with the palms cupped (cacheteo) or with fists clenched. It is stimulating and helps to awaken the muscles.
Vibration (Vibration): A movement of “shake” rhythm that is applied over an area. It is very relaxing to the nervous system.
If we want to arrive at 7 techniques, we can add:
Compression: Apply static pressure on a point (as in acupressure).
Stretching: passive Mobilization of the joints to improve flexibility.
Conclusion: The perfect massage is the one you need today
As you have seen, say, “give me a massage” is like walking into a restaurant and say “give me food”. The options are endless!
We hope that this guide will be useful to better understand your body and what these wonderful techniques can do for you. There is a massage “better” than another; there is the massage to fit your current need.
Do you feel like a knot of nerves? Test a Relaxing or a Lomi Lomi. Can’t you turn your neck? A deep tissue or a session of Osteopathy may be the key. Do you feel bloated and heavy? The Lymphatic Drainage will change the day.
Listen to your body; he knows exactly what you need.