| Massage therapy is a practice of manipulating | | | | layers of muscle. |
| muscles and other tissues of the body which | | | | 3. Deep Tissue Massage |
| results in functional, physical and sometimes | | | | This massage targets the deeper layers of the |
| psychological goals and purposes. This type of | | | | connective tissues and muscle. Slower strokes or |
| therapy can be dated back thousand of years. It | | | | friction techniques are used by the massage |
| is sometimes a part of conventional treatments | | | | therapist to relieve tension in chronically tight or |
| and in some instances involved in complementary | | | | painful muscles. |
| and alternative medicine. | | | | 4. Reflexology |
| Many people use massage therapy for numerous | | | | Foot reflexology is a non-invasive method to bring |
| health-related purposes. For instance a hot stone | | | | balance to the body. Although this is called foot |
| therapy utilizes heated stones to relieve muscle | | | | massage, it is more than that. It involves the |
| tension. Massage therapy involves the client being | | | | application of a specific type of pressure on |
| treated while lying on a massage table or sitting | | | | particular areas of the feet which corresponds to |
| on a chair. He may either be partially or fully | | | | the different parts of the body. |
| unclothed. There appear to be only a few risks to | | | | 5. Stone massage |
| this kind of therapy if it is properly used by a | | | | This is an ancient healing process. This involves |
| trained professional. It is a diverse field and offers | | | | placing a smooth, hot stone on certain points of |
| different types of massage. To help you figure | | | | the body to loosen or warm muscles and balance |
| out what kind is right for you, here is a guideline | | | | energy centers inside the body. |
| on the most popular types of massage therapy. | | | | 6. Shiatsu |
| 1. Aromatherapy massage | | | | Shiatsu is Japanese hands-on therapy that uses |
| This is the art and science of using essential oils in | | | | localized finger pressure in a rhythmical series on |
| enhancing the body, mind and spirit's overall | | | | specific points all throughout the body. Each point |
| well-being. It draws on the healing power of the | | | | is held for 2-8 seconds improving the flow of |
| plant world which contains medicinal and aromatic | | | | energy and helps the body to regain balance. |
| characteristics. The essential oils used are | | | | These are only some of the types of massage |
| chemically complex and have their own distinct | | | | therapy you can consider trying out. Massage fills |
| therapeutic qualities. It involves the use of slow, | | | | many different needs, depending on the person |
| gentle, and rhythmic movements. It helps the | | | | who seeks it. For some it may be relief from a |
| muscles melt into deep relaxation. | | | | stressful life. For others, it may mean rehabilitation |
| 2. The Swedish massage therapy | | | | or treatment of a specific illness. Either way, |
| This is the most common type of massage | | | | massage offers therapeutic and relaxing effects. |
| practiced in the US. It is typically used for | | | | If you have never experienced a massage |
| relaxation, stress relief and to ease muscle | | | | before, then this is the time you try one. It will |
| tension. Long smooth strokes and kneading are | | | | certainly provide you with relaxation and relief |
| used by a massage therapist on the superficial | | | | from the stress of your job and your life. |