Massage is an ancient ritual, a therapy and a treatment all rolled in to one.

We are in an age that is rediscovering the therapeutic power of touch. Modern scientific research has proven that massage produces a positive effect on far more than just the muscle tissue itself: it boosts your immune system, reduces pain, reduces levels of anxiety and depression, and calms the mind.

There are many different forms of massage on offer in clinics and centres and to some extent the massages will vary between therapists according to their background and training. However, knowing the key differences between the main types will help guide you to the treatment you feel most in need of.

Most types of massage can be grouped under one of the following headings:

Swedish or Therapeutic Massage – a slow, relaxing massage, defined by lots of long sweeping strokes with plenty of oil. This is an extremely gentle, nurturing and relaxing type of massage. It is good for calming the body and mind, for boosting circulation and lymphatic flow. It stimulates healing within the body, improves skin tone and your overall feelings of balance and calm.

Deep Tissue Massage / Remedial Massage – a firmer form of massage working into the deeper layers of muscle tissue. It incorporates some of the moves of Swedish Massage with additional techniques to ‘knead’ deeper into areas of tension or muscular damage. The aim is to break down muscle ‘knots’ (fibre adhesions), release tension sites and boost blood and nutrients to both deep and superficial layers of muscle tissue. This type of massage is recommended if you’re aware of tightness or tension in your body.

Sports Massage – a relatively new concept and the most clinical form of massage where the focus is one or two specific body areas of injury or muscular tension. The session will include a mixture of therapeutic, deep tissue and remedial massage strokes along with some additional techniques to release damage such as cross fibre frictioning. The session will often include some stretching of the muscle tissues to help re-align and return muscles to their optimal length, improve flexibility and range of joint movement. This type of massage is recommended if you are recovering from an injury or are aware of long term postural muscle imbalances that you would like addressing. Sports massage is an essential part of a sport training schedule and can be used immediately pre or post performance to either prepare muscles for working or to aid lactic acid removal and tissue recovery.

Aromatherapy Massage – refers to the application of specific essential oils during the massage rather than to the strokes themselves. The practitioner will combine the oils according to your specific mental or emotional needs that day. It is usually combined with a relaxing Swedish or Therapeutic style of massage to allow you to benefit from the aromas of the oils alongside the physical touch.

Clare Benka

Web. www.revive-me.co.uk

M. 07771 716 449

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