Massage is no spring chicken, it’s been around since…
and
and
Well, just slightly after that.
Today, there are over 80 massage styles that all have their own flair and flavor. Only 19% of Americans have had some form of, professional, massage during their lives. For a society that is as stressed out as ours, that number is way too low. As a chiropractor in Springfield, Illinois, I know that massage isn’t just for a honeymoon, bachelorette, or corporate Christmas party, it’s an incredible, natural solution for pain relief, a great way to heal injuries, and a surefire method for promoting overall wellness.
Having over 80 choices can be a bit overwhelming, we’ve all slogged through the line on a summer night at Baskin Robbins. And they only had 31! It can be hard to decipher which style is just trending and which may actually relieve that chronic back pain; if long, smooth strokes are better than short, percussive ones; if oil is necessary or just another thing to wash off; if being unclothed is distracting or relaxing; or if it’s better to go short and sweet or really relish the moment.
Deciding which style is best comes down to knowing the objective. Relaxation and stress management are critical to our overall health and a great reason to book a massage. An equally justifiable reason is symptom relief, whether that be from chronic pain or another health condition that won’t seem to take a hint.
May this guide point our viewers in the right direction and lead them to the bliss they undeniably deserve.
The Most Popular Massage Therapy Styles
Swedish Massage
This is the standard style of massage offered in spas, gyms, and sketchy storefronts with a neon sign that’s only half illuminated. Therapists use soft, long, kneading strokes and then progress to more rhythmic strokes to address specific problem areas. Swedish massage is both relaxing and energizing as it relieves muscle tension and aids in joint mobility.
The five basic Swedish strokes are:
Effleurage: long and smooth
Petrissage: kneading, rolling, and lifting
Friction: wringing or small circular movements which help to improve circulation and break down scar tissue
Tapotement: which seems like just a fancy word for tapping
Vibration: rocking and shaking
Fun NonFact: Many massage therapists are failed drummers.
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue is a focused, therapeutic massage that addresses chronic patterns of tension, repetitive strain, posture problems, and injuries. By using slow, deliberate strokes a therapist targets adhesions, or “knots” for the more pedestrian among us, and specific areas deeper in the muscles and ligaments.
This style may be more intense than Swedish, but in no way should it be painful. Pain does not equal efficacy.
Aromatherapy Massage
This is a Swedish massage that smells amazing. They use essential oils, which have a variety of relaxation, immune boosting, and antiseptic qualities, to attack depression, insomnia, digestive disorders, and pain.
Shiatsu Massage
Meaning “finger pressure” in Japanese, shiatsu uses rhythmic pressure on acupressure points to improve the flow of chi, the body’s vital energy. It’s effective for treating pain, nausea, and insomnia, though is most often used to reduce stress and protect against stress-related health problems.
Shiatsu is performed on a mat on the floor, uses no oil, and, all the never-nudes will be relieved to hear, participants wear loose clothing.
Thai Massage
Thai massage is similar to shiatsu in that it attempts to align the body’s energy. It’s kind of like yoga except requires none of the work.
The therapist will move and stretch the body on the floor in a sequence of postures to reduce stress and improve flexibility and range of motion. This is a stress-reducing and energizing style of massage. Another that is fully clothed, which is nice because of all the bending and passive stretching.
Hot Stone Massage
This one is pretty self-explanatory. Using volcanic rock…
…that has cooled down considerably but is still warm, therapists will place the stones on specific points to relax tight muscles quickly. Patients with circulatory issues should triple-check before having hot stones placed on their hypertensive bodies.
Pregnancy Massage
Many therapists receive specialized training to perform pregnancy or prenatal massage. This type of massage is customized to the needs of pregnant women and is most often used to promote relaxation. Apparently, pregnancy can be stressful or something.
Modified techniques and equipment make prenatal massage a safe, all-natural pain relief strategy for the aches and pains of pregnancy.
Sports Massage
Without sports massage this isn’t possible:
Need I say more?
Reflexology Massage
Personally, this one is not for me, I have very ticklish feet.
Reflexology uses “reflex areas” on the hands and feet where the energy is believed to be connected to our major organs. A therapist uses kneading and rubbing finger pressure to promote healing and relaxation. For those of us that stand all day, this may be a game-changer.
The Benefits of Massage Therapy
The health benefits of massage go way beyond relaxation and a refuge from dirty dishes, carpool lane traffic, and unmeetable deadlines.
- Lower back pain relief
- Relief from arthritis, bursitis, and tendonitis oh my
- Reduced depression, anxiety, and fatigue
- Hormone and diabetes regulation
- Improved immunity
- Lower blood pressure
- Reduction in cravings and withdrawal symptoms
- Improved athletic performance
- Prevention of sports injuries
Every doctor when a patient tells them they get regular massages:
Every doctor when a patient tells them they see a chiropractor regularly:
At the Springfield Wellness Center, we believe massage is the perfect complement to chiropractic care, that’s why we have two massage therapists on-site! Massage allows chiropractic adjustments to hold longer and contributes to a relaxed and focused mind, and a body that is free from inflammation and prepared for any physical undertaking.
…almost* any physical undertaking
Chiropractic care and massage are incredible preventative measures against injury and illness. That means less time in a waiting room filling out forms and reading an eight-month-old Us Weekly and more time creating memories and making history. Call us or schedule a time to meet with one of our amazing doctors. Nobody has time to be injured or in pain and, the great thing is, nobody has to be.
