| Getting a massage can be an enlightening event. | | | | forces by massaging specific points on your body. |
| Whether you are stressed out, in a rut or just | | | | The therapist will bend and stretch you on a |
| need a bit of me time, a massage can give you | | | | padded floor to do this. |
| that moment while also cleaning out toxins and | | | | I am a huge fan of a properly done Thai |
| relaxing tensed up muscles in your back, neck and | | | | massage. The problem is finding a therapist that |
| throughout the body. | | | | does an authentic version. If you love a quality |
| Massage is one of those words that most people | | | | massage, I strongly suggest you take a trip to |
| picture as meaning one thing. In this case, a | | | | Thailand once in your life and get an authentic |
| vaguely oriental treatment where someone | | | | massage. They are less than $20. |
| pounds on your body. In truth, there are many | | | | The Japanese bring us the Shiatsu massage, |
| types. Let's consider the more common ones and | | | | which is similar to the Thai version and popular. |
| how they differ. | | | | The goal again is to align the energy centers, |
| One of the more common massages is the | | | | known as meridians, on the body. This is not done |
| Swedish massage. This is a good introductory | | | | with twisting, but with the use of finger pressure |
| massage for beginners. Therapist use long, | | | | on those spots. |
| smooth strokes and circular motions in | | | | The hot stone massage is becoming more popular |
| combination with lotions to relax surface muscles. | | | | by the day it seems. This is a light massage that |
| A very relaxing massage. | | | | uses heat to unlock muscle intersections. Stones |
| Not all massages are meant to be relaxing. | | | | are heated and then placed on points of muscle |
| Sometimes, the focus is not on how you feel | | | | tension. The tension then melts away. A very |
| during the massage, so much as it is on how you | | | | superficial massage. |
| feel afterwards. In this case, we are talking about | | | | Having a child is a wonderful thing, but it can work |
| the famous deep tissue massage. Perhaps I | | | | over your body. The pregnancy massage is |
| should say infamous. | | | | designed to help eliminate aches, pains and swelling |
| As the name suggests, the deep tissue massage | | | | for expectant mothers. This should only be |
| is a more thorough treatment. The goal is to get | | | | undertaken using a therapist trained in the |
| at the underlying tensions and knots founds in | | | | concept. |
| your muscles. This requires slow strokes with lots | | | | At the end of the day, it is pretty hard to go |
| of pressure. You will grimace. You will complain. | | | | wrong with any particular massage. In one form |
| You will feel better. | | | | or another, all massages are designed to give |
| The Thai massage is also a popular version. The | | | | your body a much needed tune up. They certainly |
| idea with this massage is to align your energy | | | | achieve such results. |