Types Of Massage:
Neuromuscular
By correctly applying pressure to a muscle while it is contracting and releasing, a massage therapist can “reset” the muscle memory and help it to return to a more comfortable resting length. Therapists use both passive and active movement along with a comfortable level of pressure to achieve beneficial results. This technique can also help to release adhesions and trigger points – painful “knots” in a muscle that can often refer pain to other areas of the body.
Prenatal (Pregnancy)
The goal of pregnancy massage, (also known as pre-natal massage) is to promote relaxation, soothe nerves, and relieve strained back and leg muscles which most expectant mothers experience. The second and third trimesters are the time when the extra weight in a pregnant woman’s belly puts strain on the back. Pregnancy massage can be especially beneficial at this time.
Sports
While sports massage was developed for athletes who need to keep their bodies in great condition and quickly work out any stress or injuries, it is a massage good for anyone with chronic pain, injury or range-of-motion issues. Sports massage can be used to get an athlete ready to compete, support them while they compete, or help their body to recover after a sports event. The massage strokes generally concentrate on a specific problem area which may be related to a sport they participate in.
Deep Tissue
While deep tissue massage uses many of the same massage techniques as Swedish massage, the main difference is that the therapist works deeper tissue structures of the muscle and fascia (connective tissue). Deep tissue massage is also a more focused type of massage. The therapist works to release chronic muscle tension, or knots, called adhesions. This type of massage can be intense but is often modified to individual tolerances for pressure and pain.
Swedish Relaxation
Swedish massage is often referred to as relaxation massage. The goal of the massage therapist is to relax a person’s nervous system which in turn helps the person’s muscles to relax. Swedish massage is the most common and best-known type of massage in the West.
If it’s a person’s first time receiving a massage or they do not get massages frequently, Swedish massage is often the perfect massage for them. A Swedish massage can be slow and gentle, or vigorous, depending on the therapist’s personal style and the needs of the individual receiving the massage.
Trigger Point
Occasionally a muscle will develop trigger points that do not clear with neuromuscular work alone. In cases such as this, a massage therapist can apply sustained pressure directly to the trigger point for a short period of time, causing a release in the muscle “knot” which allows for a corresponding lengthening in that muscle group.
Almost everyone can benefit from massage – whether for pain relief, stress reduction or improving flexibility and motion. There is a therapy modal to meet unique individual needs.
Regular massage can help restore normal, pain-free muscle function, provide ongoing relaxation, and benefit the immune system.
Give me a call if you would like to experience a truly restorative massage!