Types of Massage

There are a variety of different styles, types and techniques of massage utilized by massage therapists. I've provided a description of some of the more popular and well known massage types that I use in my practice.

Deep Tissue

Deep Tissue Massage is designed to relieve severe tension in the muscle and connective tissue or fascia. This type of massage focuses on the muscles located below the surface of the top layer of muscles. Deep tissue massage is often recommend for individuals who experience consistent pain, are involved in heavy physical activity, such as athletes, and patients who have sustained physical injury. It is also not uncommon for receivers of deep tissue massage to have their pain replaced with new muscle ache for a day or two. Deep tissue work varies greatly, what one calls deep tissue another may call light. When receiving deep tissue work it is extremely important to communicate what you are feelings.

Swedish Massage

Swedish massage uses five styles of long, flowing strokes. The five basic strokes are effleurage (sliding or gliding), petrissage (kneading), tapotment (rhythmic tapping), friction (cross fiber), and vibration/shaking. Swedish massage has shown to be helpful in reducing pain, joint stiffness, and improving function in patients with osteoarthritis. It has also been shown to be helpful in individuals with poor circulation and to reduce muscular and emotional stress. Swedish massage increases flexibility and aids in the healing of soft tissue.

Trigger Point

Trigger points or trigger sites are described as hyperirritable spots in skeletal muscle that are associated with palpable nodules in taut bands of muscle fibers. Trigger Point practitioners believe that palpable nodules are small contraction knots and a common cause of pain. Compression of a trigger point may elicit local tenderness, referred pain, or local twitch response. The local twitch response in not the same as a muscle spasm. The trigger point model states that unexplained pain frequently radiates from these points of local tenderness to broader areas, sometimes distant from the trigger point itself. PracPractitioners claim to have identified reliable referred pain patterns, allowing them to associate pain in one location with trigger points elsewhere.

Cupping

Cupping is a type of alternative therapy that originated in China. It involves placing cups on the skin to create suction. The suction may facilitate healing with the blood flow.

Cupping increases blood circulation to the area where the cups are placed. This may relieve muscle tension, which can improve overall blood flow and promote cell repair. It may also help form new connective tissues and create new blood vessels in the tissue.

People use cupping to complement their care for a host of issues and conditions.

Gua Sha

Gua Sha is a natural, alternative therapy that involves scraping your skin with a massage tool to improve your circulation, and reduce inflammation. This ancient Chinese healing technique may offer a unique approach to better health, addressing issues like chronic pain.

In Gua Sha, a therapist scrapes your skin with short or long strokes to stimulate microcirculation of the soft tissue, which increases blood flow. They make these strokes with a smooth-edged instrument. The therapist applies massage oil to your skin, and then uses the tool to repeatedly scrape your skin.