What Are Some Different Types of Massage Therapy?

What Are Some Different Types of Massage Therapy? There are many types of massage therapy and almost every person that exists can derive some benefit from massage therapy whether they are young or old.

From some simple benefits to some remarkable health benefits. Therapy using massage techniques can do things like helping a person to heal better by helping the persons body use it owns resources to heal.

It can help with headaches and help to relieve many kinds of tension and stress. It is truly remarkable the healing power of touch and massage. There are many massage techniques and complementary therapies and we will explore some of them briefly here.

What are some of the main categories of massage professions? The two categories are:

1. Medical Massage
2. Energy Massage

What are some of the therapies that complement massage? Some complementary therapies are:

• Osteopathy
• Aromatherapy
• Reflexology

While these are a few of the complementary therapies to go with massage the two main professions can further be divided by specializations and uses. Some of the medical profession uses massage to assist with:

• Sports healing
• Certain stretching massages with exercise
• Orthopedic
• Massage that is for the neuromuscular area

But the profession focused on energy type therapies use massage for:

• Touch therapy
• Reiki
• Polarity which can be a combination of touch and polarity

There are many types of massages that can be utilized by a professional therapist for various problems and there are therapists who wish to only practice a specialized massage therapy. What are some of the massage therapies and what do they seek to accomplish in general? Let's take a look. Some oriental massage therapies are:

• Acupressure
• Shiatsu

Acupressure is based on acupuncture only it doesnt utilize any needles at all and utilizes some deep tissue massage with pressure being applied along certain points or areas of the body. However it does not normally use any lotions or oils.

With Shiatsu massage the goal is to combine some acupressure and some massage and is focused somewhat on relieving discomfort and balancing ones energy.

One of the most basic massages is Swedish Massage. It utilizes long and basically gentle strokes that can be used on all the various groups of muscles. It is mainly used to help ease and relieve tension and is known for improving circulation. Along the same lines as Swedish massage is relaxation massage as it utilizes a flowing and smooth technique. There is workplace massage.

A very specific massage of therapeutic value to the cranium called Cranial Sacral Massage Therapy. This is applied to the neck and the head.

A very medical application called Remedial Massage. It emphasizes a paramedical treatment that helps to achieve the restoration of and function of the soft tissue such as ligaments, tendons, muscles that have been injured. 

Quick Facts About Massage Therapy Reflexology Some massage therapists will base their foot massage on the theory of reflexology. Reflexology holds that there exists a connection between each area of the foot and a particular part of the body. Hence, reflexologists believe, it is possible to treat ailments of the body by manipulating the appropriate part of the foot. Reflexology was introduced to the West in the first half of the twentieth century, primarily by William Fitzgerald and Eunice Ingham. Here are some of the connections claimed by reflexologists. Note that different reflexologists will propose different links between the foot and the body. Also be aware that neither the points on the foot nor the parts of the body correspond exactly to the common understanding of them, but are tied in to mystical understandings of anatomy.

This utilizes many types of massage and includes self treatment at home. To achieve a balance in the body there is a therapy that uses the reflex points in the feet.

These points have matching or corresponding areas in the body. The therapist or if doing this yourself will apply pressure to these points with the thumb and fingers.

Certain massage therapies can be benefited or enhanced with the healing powers of essential oils and this would be called aromatherapy massage. 

• Sports massage
• Massage of the Connective Tissue
• trigger point therapy
• Neuromuscular massage Techniques 
• Finally, there is Hot Stone Massage

Hot Stone Massage which helps to increase blood flow to the muscles and is sometime used in conjunction with a Pilates workout.which helps to increase blood flow to the muscles and is sometime used in conjunction with a Pilates workout.

Theraputic Massage Terms and Facts. Something as relaxing as a massage can in fact help to improve alertness of the mind because it releases endorphins. They in turn help you focus your mind. Giving someone a hand massage is a very simple way to help improve calm thinking and fosters peace of mind. You can do this easily by massaging "up and out" which means you start with the knuckels and move up towards the wrist, and circle "out" and down to the pinky on the way back to the knuckle again, remembering to release as you move "out". Don't massage sideways, just "up and out". Start with the middle knuckel by the way.