Going for a massage is an easy decision for most people, but this may not be true for others, who may have difficulty choosing the type of massage that will best suit their needs. With a vast list of services available in spas and an array of unfamiliar (sometimes foreign) massage techniques, it's perfectly understandable for customers to be slightly confused. Below is a list of the most common massage types and techniques for first-time spa visitors.
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Swedish massage
When people think of massages, the first that comes to mind is Swedish massage. This massage is characterized by long, sweeping strokes (effleurage), kneading and rolling (petrissage), and rhythmic tapping, which aims to relax the entire body. Aside from relaxation, Swedish massage also helps improve blood circulation and muscle flexibility.
Deep tissue massage
This type of massage is very similar to the Swedish massage. The difference between the two is that the deep tissue massage requires more pressure in order to focus on the deepest layers of muscle tissues, tendons, and fascia. This massage is beneficial for people suffering from chronic muscle tension.
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Trigger point therapy
Trigger point therapy targets tight areas in the muscle tissue that cause pain in other parts of the body (also called referral pain). The massage is designed to ease the pain through localized pressure and release at certain trigger points.
Hot stone massage
Hot stone therapy utilizes warmed basalt stone and hot oils to release tension, alleviate tightness in muscles and improve circulation and metabolism. It is considered as one of the most relaxing massages because of the combined heat and pressure from the stones.
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Find more articles on massage therapy techniques and other related discussions by following this Massage Envy Spa blog.
