Massage therapy treatments for relief of chronic pain as well as stress reduction have been growing in popularity by leaps and bounds over the past few decades across a wider segment of the population. What was once viewed with skepticism by many has been proven effective and beneficial, and massage treatments offer people a choice for relief that is totally holistic and free from the possible drawbacks associated with more traditional medicinal strategies. If you've been considering getting a massage but are a bit intimidated because you don't know what to ask for at the spa, here is a brief overview of the most popular types of massage therapy treatments.
Swedish Massage: Considered the most popular type of therapy in the United States, it is also the most gentle. A trained therapist moves his hands in long strokes and with circular motions to gently knead away pain, loosen muscles and improve circulation. Most therapists use lotions or oils to facilitate hand movement over the body. Unlike deep tissue therapies, this type addresses the superficial layers of muscle only and is excellent for relieving stress and soothing away the tensions caused by everyday living.
Deep Tissue Massage: As its name implies, deeper layers of muscle as well as connective tissues are addressed through this type of therapy. Sessions generally last anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes and are more invigorating than their Swedish counterparts. In fact, it is not unusual for clients to experience some residual soreness for several days after treatment, but the long term benefits are many. This is considered the massage of choice for those who have chronic pain problems or who are recovering from injury, and is generally not considered the ideal option for first-timers.
Hot Stone Massage: A therapist simply places warm, smooth stones on specific points on the body and the heat naturally relaxes tense muscles. Depending on your personal preferences as well as the therapist's style, he may or may not apply additional pressure to the stones. This is the ultimate treatment for those who enjoy a relaxing, non-intrusive experience at a spa: it's like being wrapped in a warm blanket of relaxation.
Shiatsu: Originally developed as a companion treatment for acupuncture patients, this type of therapy uses finger pressure on specific body meridians to eliminate dams in a body's natural flow of energy, or "chee." Each pressure point is held in place for up to 10 seconds and facilitates the body's natural ability to heal itself and regain proper balance.
If you are a first-timer, start with Swedish and then come back again and again to experiment with other forms of therapy.
Author Resource:-
Essencia Dayspa (http://www.essenciabelmont.com/) is your local Cambridge massage spa, facial spa, and medical spa for the best in spa retreats.
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