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How To Choose the Best Massage For You
The American Bodywork Massage Professionals Association recognizes more than 350 different modalities of massage. How do you choose which one is right for you?
A few factors to consider are:
• Is your objective to relax your mind and body?
• Treating an injury?
• Do you have chronic pain?
• Are you recovering from surgery?
• How sensitive are you to pressure?
All modalities have benefits for pain reduction and stress relief. The three most customary types of massage offered at spas are Swedish, deep tissue and hot stone.
Swedish Massage – It is the traditional form of massage. It is relaxing to the mind and body. This type of massage brings blood flow to the muscle tissue, reduces muscle tension and can release muscle knots. If you’ve never had a massage before or it’s been more than three months since your last massage this is best for you. It is also ideal if you are sensitive to pressure.
Deep Tissue Massage – It is an adaption of Swedish massage with the focus on the deeper layers of muscle tissue. More pressure is used than in the traditional. It is a good option if you have chronic muscle pain or range of motion issues. A deep tissue massage will focus strong pressure to those areas. If you are sensitive to pressure or it is your first massage, ease into deep tissue massages with a few Swedish sessions first.
Stone Massage Hot and/or Cold – It is the use of heated basalt stones or chilled marble stones. Contrary to what images suggest they are not simply placed on the body. The therapist will move the stones massaging you with them.
The key to the benefits of this massage is the use of temperature. Muscles naturally relax when heat is applied. Think of how a sore back relaxes with a heating pad.
Cold stone therapy benefits are also due to the temperature. Ice treats inflammation so it is helpful with injury recovery. The body also naturally responds to the application of cold by trying to warm the area by sending blood to it. Your oxygen rich blood has nutrients to assist the natural healing process.
Most experienced massage therapists will have training in one or more of the other 347 types of massage. Many will be happy to explain and integrate one or more techniques into your massage to customize the experience just for you.
