Massage Therapy Styles and Health Benefits

  • Back pain. More than one study has shown the effectiveness of massage therapy for back pain. In fact, one 2003 study showed it worked better than acupuncture or spinal modification for persistent low back pain – reducing the need for painkillers by 36%.
  • Headache. Another type of pain  – headache – also responds to massage therapy, as shown by more than one study. Massage therapy can reduce the number of migraines a person has and also improve sleep.
  • Osteoarthritis. In the first clinical trial looking at the effectiveness of Swedish Massage for knee osteoarthritis, participants who received a one-hour massage either one or two a week had improvements in pain, and function. The control group had no such change.
  • Anxiety. A review of more than 12 studies shows that massage increased levels of neurotransmitters that help reduce depression.

Massage has been practiced for thousands of years. Using a variety of pressures, movements, and techniques. They all involve compression, kneading or manipulating muscles and other soft tissues with hands and fingers. Sometimes, even forearms and elbows.

Which Massage styles are best?

Do you recognize the health benefits of massage? Do you want a massage for relaxation and stress control? Or do you need symptom relief or help with a certain health condition? Are you looking to get relief from injuries or to promote overall wellness? We use more than one style and customize your massage, depending on your age, condition, or any special needs or goals you have.

Our Services

Spa with candles

Swedish Massage Therapy

The most common type of massage is Swedish massage therapy. It involves soft, long, kneading strokes, as well as light, rhythmic, tapping strokes, on topmost layers of muscles. This is also combined with movement of the joints. By relieving muscle tension, Swedish massage therapy can be both relaxing and energizing. And it may even help after an injury.

Applying pressure with elbow into lower back

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massage is best for giving attention to certain painful, “trouble spots” in your body. It is a slow moving pressure applied to the deepest layers of muscles, tendons, or other tissues deep under deliberate, your skin. Though less rhythmic than other types of massage, deep tissue massage can be quite therapeutic – relieving chronic patterns of tension and helping with muscle injuries, such as back sprain.

applying pressure to trigger point on shoulder

Trigger Point Massage

Trigger Point therapy is a form of soft tissue manipulation that aims to treat underlying causes of chronic pain involving the muscular and nervous systems. This medically-oriented form of massage addresses trigger points (tender muscle points), circulation, nerve compression, postural issues, and biomechanical problems that can be caused by repetitive movement injuries.

athletes relaxation massage before sport event

Sports Massage

Developed to help with muscle systems used for a particular sport, sports massage uses a variety of approaches to help athletes in training — before, during, or after sports events. You might use it to promote flexibility and help prevent injuries. Or, it may help muscle strains, aiding healing after a sports injury.

Chair massage

Chair Massage

Have you ever seen a person get a chair massage in the mall, airport or sports event? Or, maybe you’re lucky enough to work at a company that offers 15- to 20-minute massages as a regular benefit. Onsite, chair massages are done while you’re seated fully clothed in a portable, specially designed chair. They usually involve a massage of your neck, shoulders, back, arms, and hands.

Advanced chair massage includes legs and feet.

Hands massaging female legs with bamboo.

Heated Bamboo

For this kind of massage, the therapist places warmed bamboo on certain areas of the body, such as acupressure points. The bamboo may be used as massage tools or be temporarily left in place. Used along with other massage techniques, hot bamboo can be quite soothing and relaxing as they transmit heat deep into the body.

foot massage

Reflexology

Reflexology uses hand, thumb, and finger techniques to stimulate certain areas of the feet. These areas are believed to correspond to different parts of the body. Reflexology promotes health and well being.

physical therapist massaging pregnant woman's arm

Pregnancy Massage

During pregnancy, your body goes through major changes. Pregnancy massage can help with these changes by reducing stress, decreasing arm and leg swelling, and relieving muscle and joint pain. Massage may be particularly helpful during a time when medication and other medical options may be more limited.

_ Source _
American Massage Therapy Association: “2008 Massage Therapy
Industry Fact Sheet”; “Choosing a type of massage”; “Glossary
of massage terms” and “Massage and serious Health conditions”
Washington State University: “UREC Massage styles”