6 Types of Body Massage You Should Not Miss
Body massage. The words, as it rolls off your tongue, could bring an urge to just rest your body on a massage table, close your eyes, feel your muscles untangle, and simply immerse in its calming goodness.
An effective body massage comes with a plethora of benefits, it’s even a great addition to your skincare. If you are experiencing high levels of stress, not sleeping well, have stubborn body pain, undergoing physical training, or simply can’t remember the last time you treated yourself to a good pampering, then take this as a sign to get one of these must-not-miss massages.
1. Relaxation Massage
Most massages can indeed be relaxing, but the relaxation massage solely focuses on pure relaxation. It is often a whole-body, hands-on, treatment that uses pressure, stroking, gentle kneading, and rubbing and rolling of the skin and muscle. You may also expect some rhythmic rocking from side to side. It is a passive treatment in a way that you won’t be stretched or maneuvered into any positions. Being so, this is considered to be the most calming and complete type of massage.
2. Remedial Massage
While relaxation massage promotes mental wellbeing, the remedial massage is primarily for physical fitness. Remedial massage is tailored to treat muscles that are damaged, knotted, tense or immobile. By locating and repairing damaged areas that affect the muscles, tendons, and bones, this treatment can help speed up the body’s own healing process. Depending on the problem, the pressure applied can either be strong and deep or gentle and shallow.
3. Aromatherapy Massage
An aromatherapy massage uses massage oil or lotion that contains essential oils known to calm, decongest, uplift, or energise. By inhaling these essential oil molecules or absorbing them through your skin, it may bring beneficial changes in your mind and body by affecting the limbic system, a region of the brain known to be involved in emotion. In a 2015 study from the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, it was suggested that aromatherapy massage appears to reduce the pain and discomfort of menstrual cramps.
4. Pre and Post Natal Massage
If you have a bundle of joy on the way, then this is definitely a must-try. According to studies, massage therapy can be effective during pregnancy, with women who receive massage experiencing decreased depression, anxiety, and leg and back pain. Moreover, they may experience significantly less labour pain, with a shorter labour and with less need for medication. As the baby grows later in the pregnancy and causes strains and discomfort for the mum, prenatal massage is especially beneficial.
After giving birth, a postnatal massage is highly recommended. It can help in regulating your postpartum hormones and help you heal faster. Having a baby can cause stress, and paired with hormones, some new mums may experience intense mood swings or “baby blues”, with some even experiencing severe cases considered as postpartum depression.
5. Sports Massage
From the name itself, sports massage is specifically designed for different sports and sporting injuries. While it can be less relaxing and can often be strenuous, it targets areas to help the body recover. It is performed to stretch tight muscles, stimulate inactive muscles, and improve the condition of the soft tissue.
6. Reflexology Massage
Known as zone therapy, reflexology applies pressure to specific reflex points of the body. It is based on the principle that there are areas and points on the feet, hands, and ears that are connected through the nervous system to corresponding parts of the body. So when pressure is applied to these areas and points, it may bring relaxation and healing to the corresponding area.
What are the benefits of body massage?
Aside from the deep relaxation and calming benefit of a body massage, it comes with other mental and physical advantages too:
- relaxation
- reduction of stress hormones
- reduce anxiety and depression
- reduce muscle tension
- improve circulation
- stimulation of the lymphatic system
- increase joint mobility and flexibility
- improve recovery of soft tissue injuries
- improve skin tone
- heighten mental alertness
How often should you get a massage?
The answer actually depends on a few factors, including your pain and physical needs, or your stress or emotional needs. To put it simply, you don’t have to follow the same frequency of massage an athlete has since your body isn’t undergoing the same physical strain. As well, you have to consider the type of massage you’re getting.
Indulge in the healing of your mind and body, book a body massage with us today.