The Bodycare Journal: What type of massage are you?

There are so many variations of massage. Let’s discuss the basics. There’s Swedish, Deep Tissue, A combination of the two, Hot Stone, Sports, Aromatherapy, Prenatal, Lymphatic Drainage, Reflexology, and so many more. Usually, I’m a Swedish type of girlie. What are you? Do you know? If not, don’t worry! You’ll have a good idea by the end of today’s entry.

Swedish Massage: often used to relax you, relieve stress and relieve pain. Swedish massage often involves rubbing, kneading, stroking, and tapping your muscles. Some people can get this mixed up with a deep tissue or try to turn this type of massage into a deep tissue. This is the one you book & you just might fall asleep!

Deep Tissue: targets chronic tension in muscles that lie far below the body’s surface. Deep muscle techniques involve slow strokes, direct pressure or friction movements that go across the muscle grain. This one is a little more spicy but can still be relaxing if done correctly. Deep tissue is the massage you book when you need to relieve that knot that’s been in your back for a whole year. Afterward, your muscles may be sore as if you completed an intense workout.

Combination Massage: Usually this combines the styles of Swedish and Deep Tissue. As a massage therapist, this is more my style of work. Most of the time clients come in asking for one thing but really mean this! This is the one you book when you’re looking to fall into a deep relaxation and relieve some deeper tension.

Hot Stone: used to help you relax and ease tense muscles and damaged soft tissues throughout your body. During a hot stone massage, smooth, flat, heated stones are placed on specific parts of your body. These stones are meant to be warm not burning you! I feel like this is what people think of when they think about the spa. If you’re booking this for the first time, it’s important to know that you are in control of the temperature. The therapist will check in with you. If it is too hot or too cool, speak up.

Aromatherapy: Aromatherapy massage is used for various reasons, including relaxation, pain management, and improved mood. Aromatherapy’s overall purpose is to improve your physical and mental well-being. Although some spa’s offer this as an add-on, incorporating essential oils are becoming more standard in the massage world. Be sure to ask about this to enhance muscle relief, relaxation, and other health benefits.

Prenatal: Prenatal massages are performed with specialized techniques that are tailored to benefit you and your growing baby. These techniques include a slow pace, specific positioning, and gentle pressure that can help relieve muscle tension and pain during pregnancy. This goes without saying but book this if you’re a pregnant woman. Mostly starting in the second trimester is when this type of massage can be provided but it’s based on the comfort of the mother and the massage therapist. 

Reflexology: This can be offered as an add-on to your spa treatment or provided as a single treatment. Reflexology, also known as zone therapy, is an alternative medical practice involving the application of pressure to specific points on the feet, ears, and hands. It triggers relaxation, resulting in reduced levels of stress and tension. This practice is also helpful in increasing blood flow and circulation throughout the body. Sometimes, this can be intense if the area of focus has gathered tension over a long period of time. It can also, release an emotional response from the body. 

I hope this encourages you to go out and get a massage. All 2024 we are taking care of our bodies. Massages are the best way to relieve muscle stress and tension. If you get massages regularly, what type of massage are you? If you plan on receiving massages more frequently, what type of massage would you pick?

By Jazmine Jamal

Founder of @521wellness

You Start Dying When You Stop Dreaming