Which is right for you?
Swedish massage. Deep tissue massage. Sports massage. Russian massage. Trigger point therapy. What are they and how are they different? If you are a client looking for a massage, how do you know what to ask for?
You don't necessarily need to know the name of a specific technique but you do want to be clear about your goal. When a new client walks into my office, I ask them what brought them in and what do they want to get out of their session? Some want to relax. Others have some sort of pain that they'd like to get rid of. Still others want to improve their performance. By understanding the client's goal, I can tailor the session to their specific needs. However, people do frequently ask the question, "What is the
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Massage is as old as human beings, even older, (remember - even primates will groom each other when one of them is agitated) and each culture has developed its own approach. There are particular types of massage that have grown out of Thailand or Hawaii, for instance. There are many techniques, too numerous to address. However, I will describe some of the more common general categories of massage.
Swedish massage has come to be used as a generic term for general relaxation massage. European in origin, it leans heavily on gliding and kneading strokes, although rubbing and shaking strokes may also be used. It is general massage for relaxation and wellness. One may do a full body massage or a shorter session may concentrate on the back, neck, and shoulders.
Sports massage is massage done specifically to address the needs of athletes and physically active people. There are three broad areas: pre- and post-event massage, injury rehabilitation, and general sports massage done during training to maintain and help improve an athlete's
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Like other European massage, it uses gliding, kneading, rubbing, and shaking strokes. Although it is unfamiliar to many clients and massage therapists in the U.S., it is applicable to a wide variety of situations. It may be gentle or vigorous, depending on the needs of the client at that time. It is based on 150 years of continuing scientific research on the specific physiological effects that the various massage strokes have on the body. Russian massage should always feel comfortable to the client. Even when vigorous, it should not cause pain. Pain creates a stress response in the body and this is something to be