Massage is the manual manipulation of surface layers of muscle and connective tissue to promote relaxation and normalize them. Massage therapists use mainly their hands and fingers to issue the massage treatment, but the forearms, elbows, knees or feet can also be used to give different types of massage by manipulating the muscles with different pressures and movements.
Massage is mainly used to speed healing and to give a feeling of relaxation and well-being and can boost circulatory and immune systems, benefiting blood pressure, circulation, muscle tone, digestion, and skin tone, relieve pain and reduce anxiety and depression. When muscles are overworked and tired, massage can also by used to relieve the soreness, stiffness and pain.
A massage will usually be given by a therapist with the client either lying on a specialist massage table, with a horse shoe shape head support to allow easy breathing and comfortable position, or sitting in a specialist massage chair. The client may be partly unclothed or covered with towels.
Various different types of oils can be used during massage to lubricate the skin to aid the smoothness of the massage. These include almond oil, grape seed oil, coconut oil, sunflower oil or aromatherapy oils which also heighten the sense of well-being and can be refined to target specific needs.
There are many, many forms and types of massage. Some of the most popular techniques are listed below:-
Swedish Massage – uses five styles of long, flowing strokes to massage.
DeepTissue Massage – used to relieve severe tension in the muscle and the connective tissue.
Hot Stone Massage – uses water-heated stones to apply pressure massaging strokes to the body.
Shiatsu – uses a combination of pressure and assisted-stretching techniques.
Thai Massage – combines massage with yoga-like positions.
Reflexology – massage to certain corresponding points of the feet.
Indian Head Massage – head, neck and face are massaged with the purpose of manipulating energy channels
Massage can also be used in infants and pregnant women to calm, relax and soothe.
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