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Knowing the type of massage to ask for will garner better results.
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While massage is an ancient form of therapy, these days more and more “designer” massage techniques are cropping up in day spas all over the world. Each spa has a mission to set itself apart from the competition and this has resulted in a variety of different massage techniques. Knowing what you like is important to getting a massage that does what you hope it will do.
There are only a few basic massage techniques, and the designer techniques will generally start with one of the following and add additional features.
Swedish Massage
Swedish massage is probably one of the most well known types, and it the recommended technique for anyone who has never had a massage. This massage technique employs long, smooth strokes that are designed to relax, and does not seek to work out muscle knots or pain. If your goal is relaxation only, this is the massage for you.
Deep Tissue Massage
This technique is focused on working out muscle pain and getting deep into the connective tissue. This is not a massage for the faint of heart -- you may experience soreness for a couple of days following the massage. This is a technique that many people who play sports may find particularly therapeutic.
Sports Massage
Sports massage combines the benefits of deep tissue with stretching exercises and is not intended to be a relaxation therapy. This technique requires a therapist who is trained specifically in this specialty.
Shiatsu Massage
This technique may not be in use by every day spa, as it requires a therapist who is knowledgeable about acupressure points. It is a relaxing massage, and doesn’t leave you sore, but more moderate pressure is applied to certain points than with Swedish Massage.
Pregnancy Massage
A wonderful way to decrease the aches and pains associated with pregnancy, a prenatal massage is administered by a therapist who has special training in how to support a pregnant woman’s body during the treatment. It is a relaxing massage and can do wonders not only to make a woman’s body feel better, but to reduce stress and anxiety as well.
No matter what type of massage you order, be sure to talk with your therapist before he or she starts working on you to let them know whether you like a light touch or firm pressure. Tell them about any “hot spots” you may have and on which you want to have extra attention focused, or any that you wish them to avoid. Open communication is the first step to ensuring that you receive a massage that will do exactly what you want it to do.
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