By employing different pressure, rubbing, and stroking techniques, massage can bring many health advantages. From relieving stress to relieving pain or helping recover from injuries, massage may provide multiple solutions.
Massage therapists can master various techniques to provide their clients with more options and keep work interesting. Here are five popular types of specialized massages.
1. LomiLomi Massage
LomiLomi is an alternative approach to healing that encompasses physical and spiritual well-being. Each session begins in quiet with hands gently resting on the back of the client; then practitioner offers blessing or prayer asking that healing occur during the session.
Your massage therapist may use full-body strokes and stretch your limbs while gently rotating joints, while gently rotating any joints that require it. They might even hum at various points during the massage to enhance energy flow and break through blockages in energy pathways.
As the therapist performs these movements, they will dance an improvisational melody inspired by their Uhane (higher self). LomiLomi is uniquely holistic; unlike Swedish massage strokes which may focus on only one area, lomi-lomi strokes often cover multiple legs or arms at the same time.
2. Ashiatsu Massage
At its heart lies an ancient, 3,000-year-old technique: Barefoot massage therapy is an ancient practice where therapists use bars mounted from the ceiling to balance themselves and their weight as they use long gliding strokes with their feet on clients' bare skin. This style of deep tissue massage can provide significant pain relief from backache, scoliosis, bulging discs, or herniated discs as well as sciatic nerve relief.
Foot massage is more relaxing and mesmerizing than pointy elbows or thumbs, while gravity assists the therapist's foot to apply deeper pressure, creating a massage experience akin to mesmerizing Swedish massage without the sharp discomfort often associated with deep tissue work.
3. Shiatsu Massage
Shiatsu is a Japanese bodywork style that utilizes rhythmic acupressure of key points on 12 energy pathways known as Meridians, pressing them with thumbs, fingers, palms, and elbows during treatment. Shiatsu treatments can be performed over loose clothing without needing extra add-ons such as oil.
Studies indicate that Shiatsu therapy can provide relief from muscle tension, encourage relaxation, and enhance quality of life. Furthermore, this practice serves as complementary healthcare alongside official medical treatments.
4. Orthopedic Massage
Orthopaedic or orthopedic refers to any system affecting muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, and joints - including muscles.
Orthopedic specialists can be invaluable resources for managing pain. Their methods range from medications to physical therapies, rehabilitation strategies, and surgical solutions for treating various conditions. An orthopedic massage can go a long way to helping with recovery after an injury.
5. Prenatal Massage
Pregnancy can be one of the most life-altering experiences a woman will ever go through, yet can also be emotionally and physically taxing. Muscles soften to accommodate for their growing baby bump, leading to new aches in places they never hurt before.
Prenatal massages offer relief from soreness and discomfort during gestation, improve circulation, increase flexibility, decrease fatigue and stress, as well as provide much-needed comfort from pillows during delivery. This specialized massage should be performed while lying on her side with support pillows to provide comfort during delivery.
Side-lying positions are recommended for pregnant clients to ensure the health and circulation of both the placenta and fetus, while deep massage and strong pressure on the legs should be avoided, as this could dislodge a blood clot which could cause complications during delivery.
These are five of the different types of massage you can learn through a massage program in your area.