1. Massage Therapy Techniques
One of the oldest holistic healing techniques, massage techniques have been used by man since time
immemorial to relax the muscles, ease the aches and pains, and basically rejuvenate our body. From
the ancient Greeks and Romans to Indians and the Chinese, all have developed a range of massage
techniques that help in relaxation, easing muscle tensions, and providing pain relief.
The word massage is derived from the French word massage or the "friction of kneading". The
essential elements of the massage, thus, consists of acting on and manipulating the body with
structured, unstructured, stationary, or moving pressure. The major pressure points and targets are
the muscles, tendons, ligaments, skin, and the joints which can be pressed, rubbed, and manipulated
to soothe the body and eliminate the stress. Most masseurs will use their hands, fingers, elbows,
knees, forearm, and feet for the massaging. From the light stroking to deep pressure massage, here
is a list of different types of massage therapy.
Different Massage Therapy Techniques
Acupressure
An ancient art of healing, acupressure uses the fingers to press target points on the surface of the
skin to stimulate the body's natural self-curative abilities. Similar to the acupuncture theory, this
oriental healing technique uses the Taoist philosophy of balancing energy meridians within the body.
This massage therapy is known to not only relax the entire body, but also increase the blood
circulation, reduce stress, eliminate muscle pain, headaches, and basically improve overall energy
levels. Moreover, it helps the body help eliminate toxins and cure health conditions like fibromyalgia
and arthritis.
Aromatherapy
The massage therapy that uses essential oils derived from herbs, flowers, resin, woods, and roots,
aromatherapy was used by ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans to treat the emotional disorders
of a person through the olfactory glands. Aromatherapy aids in improving blood circulation, aids
relaxation, and helps in healing wounds and burns as well. For using the aromatherapy massage, the
therapist blends a carrier oil like almond or olive oil with some essential oil which is then used for
the massage. Along with the smells that remind the person of a time when they felt happy, safe,
relaxed, peaceful, or energized, the massages leave you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.
Deep Tissue Massage
Also known as deep muscle massage, this technique release myofascial restrictions within the body
by releasing the chronic knots in the muscle tissues. With the release of the tension in the body, the
2. body's natural harmony is restored. Moreover, the massage technique is known to repair any
damaged cells and helps heal minor muscle strains and connective tissue injuries. Compared to the
other relaxation massage therapies, the deep tissue massage is applied with more pressure in order
to stimulate the deeper muscles and the surrounding tissues, thus, causing quite a bit of discomfort.
Hot/Cold Stone Therapy
One of the new massage therapy techniques used at spas and resorts, the hot/cold stone therapy
uses smooth, heated and cooled stones to relieve body and muscle stiffness and soreness, and to
restore vitality to the aching muscles and joints. This massage therapy relies on balancing the body's
natural "chakra" by using warm basalt stones and cool sedimentary stones to unlock the energy and
increase the blood circulation in the body.
Reflexology
Based on an ancient Oriental massage technique, reflexology was first introduced by Dr. William
Fitzgerald in 1913. The basic principle of this technique is that the reflexes in the hands and feet,
correspond to every part, organ, and gland in the body. So acupressure is applied to the ears, hands,
and feet within these same zones. This helps in detoxification, improved circulation, and the ability
of the body to heal its injuries and other ailments.
Sports Massage
Used primarily for athletes, the sports massages were designed so as to improve the flexibility and
performance of the players. Moreover, it helps to significantly reduce the number of sports injuries
by reducing the muscle tension and inflammation post-event while providing a warm-up massage to
loosen muscles before the event.
Swedish Massage
Introduced by Swedish physiologist, Henri Peter Ling, the Swedish massage technique uses five
main strokes, and many variations, to achieve its relaxing and healing effects. The calming pressure
and firm strokes that are characteristic of this massage technique, help in improving the blood
circulation, ease muscle tension, and improve flexibility. The hacking and tapping helps release the
tension in the back, is accompanied by gliding, kneading, vibrations, and friction. These are usually
applied in the direction of the heart so as to help increase blood circulation and the reduce the
bodily waste and toxins.
3. Thai Massage
Thai massage or Nuad Bo-rarn as it is known, has been in
practice in Thailand for thousands of years. The focus is on
increasing the blood circulation and massaging the energy
lines or the sen along the body. According to the Thai
massage philosophy, it is the blockage of these energy
lines that is the major cause of ailments, chronic pain,
diseases in the body.
Therapeutic and other massages have for years helped in
promoting rehabilitation, providing pain relief, and improving flexibility and mobility. There are
more than 250 variations of the massage therapy techniques that are used for treating a range of
conditions and provide the ultimate healing for the mind and the body.
