12 Transformative Massage Techniques Unveiled: From Swedish to Deep Tissue + Beyond
We all have a general idea of what a massage is. But did you know that there are numerous different types of massage, and they all have different techniques? Hint: We offer all of them at CORE!
A CORE massage utilizes pressure to relax the muscles, reduce inflammation, and release pain and tension from them. We can achieve these results in a range of different ways.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common techniques and styles used at CORE:
- Swedish Massage
This is probably the most common style that people in the Western world think about when they imagine getting a massage. It’s a gentle technique that is great for people who have never had a massage before or have sensitive bodies that react strongly to physical manipulations.
The massage therapist will work directly on your skin with their hands and massage oils. They’ll usually start with the shoulders and work their way down your back. If it’s a full body massage, they’ll then work into the arms and the legs and even do your hands and feet too.
The technique is one that flows. The therapist will use circular stroking motions with their hands. However, they may also do some gentle tapping or kneading on particular muscles, as well as some soft joint manipulation.
- Deep Tissue Massage
A deep tissue massage is similar to the Swedish style but a lot more intense with harder pressure. The aim is to get deeper into your muscles and relieve any pain, tightness, and tension. People who play a lot of sports or lead very active lifestyles can benefit greatly from this type of massage.
The therapist will use similar techniques to a Swedish massage, but they’ll apply more pressure in general. They’ll also spend more time kneading and manipulating knots in muscles to relieve them. After a Swedish massage, you may feel tender and sore, but this will dissipate within a day or two.
- Thai Massage
Originating in Thailand and something that most tourists to the country aim to experience at least once, this style of massage is all about stretching the body. The techniques aim to increase your flexibility and improve circulation around your body. There is also a focus on energy levels within the body and releasing blockages of stored energy, allowing it to flow.
With a Thai massage, you wear loose-fitting clothes, and the therapist will take you through a series of movements and positions. In many ways, it can feel similar to doing yoga with someone putting your body into the positions for you. The therapist will also apply pressure to your muscles with the palms of their hands and fingers.
- Shiatsu Massage
This style of massage comes from Japan but has made its way around the world now. Shiatsu is great for assisting with relieving specific aches and pains, as well as reducing fatigue in the body and mind. It’s often used by specialists to aid in recovery from back injuries. It’s even been found to help assist with recovery from concussions.
For a shiatsu massage, you can be fully clothed. The therapist will apply pulsing pressure to the muscles using their hands or fingers to relieve the tension and reduce pain. You can get a whole body shiatsu massage, but often you’ll get the best results when the therapist concentrates on the area where you’re injured or feeling pain.
- Trigger Point Massage
“Trigger points” is the term used to describe areas of tightness in muscle tissues. These areas can cause pain in other parts of the body, and trigger point massage is an effective way of relieving those areas and reducing pain. This type of massage is an excellent option if you suffer from chronic pain, specific issues or conditions, or injuries.
While more research is required, a 2018 review found that trigger point massage focusing on the head and neck muscles might help to reduce the duration, intensity, and frequency of migraine and tension headaches. Your massage therapist will work on your entire body, although they will pay special attention to specific areas that need to be released. The basic technique will see them use alternating pressure levels around particular trigger points to relieve tension.
- Aromatherapy Massage
Aromatherapy oils have long been shown to help with a variety of ailments or conditions. Certain essential oils can assist with reducing tension, alleviating headaches, lowering levels of anxiety or stress, and just generally boosting your mood. With aromatherapy massage, you enjoy all the benefits of essential oils and the soothing, healing practice of massage.
Before the massage, your therapist will usually ask if there are any particular problems you’re experiencing, such as stress, headaches, or specific aches or pains. They’ll then mix up the essential oils for that session. They may use the oils directly on your skin (after they’ve diluted them with a carrier oil), or they may add them to a diffuser—or they may do both.
This massage technique is very gentle, and the aim is to relax the body rather than manipulate the muscles too deeply. The main focus is often the shoulders, neck, and back, as this is where we tend to carry our tensions and stress.
- CBD Massage
CBD is the abbreviation of cannabidiol, the primary chemical compound found in cannabis. It’s well known for its use in holistic treatments for anxiety, inflammation, insomnia, and other ailments. When used in a massage, it’s incorporated in much the same way as aromatherapy oils.
Your massage therapist will use CBD oils in conjunction with other massage oils to knead out knots, encourage deep muscle and fascia release, and target specific areas of concern. The intensity of the massage and the overall technique used will depend on your needs, as CBD oil can be used in several different types of massages.
- Prenatal Massage
Experiencing body aches, muscle tension, and stress is part and parcel of being pregnant, but that doesn’t mean you, or rather a massage therapist, can’t do something about it. Prenatal massage can be a safe way for women to enjoy massages while pregnant, although this should only be done after the first trimester due to miscarriage risks. If in doubt, please speak to your doctor before booking a prenatal massage.
During your massage, you will lie on your side or on a specially designed table with a cutout to accommodate your belly. Whether you are fully or partially undressed depends on your comfort level.
Your therapist will use mild pressure, similar to what is used in Swedish massage, and they will focus on specific areas, such as your legs, hips, and lower back. Please speak to your doctor before your massage if you’ve experienced pain in your calves or in other parts of your legs.
- MFT (Myofascial) Massage
Given its name, myofascial massage (MFT) may sound like it has something to do with the face, but that’s a common misunderstanding. The term “myofascial” refers to the fascia, a tissue network that connects bones, joints, and muscles and supports your organs, keeping them in the right position. MFT is all about manipulating this network of tissue for pain management purposes.
Rather than being a gentle experience, this type of massage is incredibly hands-on. During your session, your therapist will locate areas in your body in which the fascia is tense and stiff, and they will apply pressure using their hands, elbows, or tools such as foam balls or rollers.
Regular MFT can assist with overall relaxation, reduce aches and pains, relieve stress, and support your body’s natural recovery process.
- Cranial-Sacral Massage (CST)
Although cranial-sacral massage (CST) isn’t as common as many other types of massage, it does have a variety of applications. Cranial-sacral massage is safe and gentle enough for just about everyone, from newborn babies to older people.
CST can be an effective way to relieve compression in the back, neck, and head, which can release physical and emotional stress and tension held in the body, as well as ease pain. This type of massage can also help relieve migraine headache symptoms.
During your cranial-sacral massage session, you will remain fully clothed while your massage therapist uses light touch to examine the membranes and movement of fluids in and around your central nervous system. Your therapist will also use low lighting and gentle music to help you unwind.
- Acupressure
Due to the similar sounding names, acupressure is sometimes confused with acupuncture, but this type of massage does not involve any needles. Instead, your massage therapist will gradually press their fingers on key points around your body, stimulating muscle relaxation and pain relief. These key points are trigger points (areas in which muscles and nerves meet can cause irritation, pain, and muscle spasms).
The acupressure massage technique interrupts the pain signals that the irritated area sends to your brain, encouraging deep relaxation. Given these effects, this type of massage is commonly used for pain relief, relieving tight muscles, and supporting recovery after sustaining an injury. It offers many of the same benefits as red light therapy, and some therapists may incorporate RLT in their treatment plan to encourage improved results.
- Lymphatic Drainage Massage
Every day, your body builds up toxins and wastes which are flushed from your system via a network of organs and tissues known as the lymphatic system. In addition to eliminating toxins, this process also helps to build a stronger immune system. Lymphatic drainage massage is designed to support this process.
During your session, your massage therapist will use long strokes on your body to stimulate the flow of lymph to various organs, where this fluid will be processed, and the toxins will be flushed from your body. Lymphatic drainage massage is particularly good if you have a sluggish lymphatic system.
Enter The Healing World of Massage
Whether you’re a first-timer or you’ve had many massages over the years, it’s always good to know what you’re getting from your therapist. If you don’t understand what the aim of the massage is and what techniques are in use, it can be very difficult to properly relax and enjoy the experience. At CORE, our massage therapists are always open to questions and are happy to explain their techniques during, before, or after your treatment.
If you can’t fully relax, then you won’t get the full benefits for your body, mind, and spirit. Always ask upfront if there’s anything you’re unsure of to ensure that you enjoy the maximum benefits of the massage you’re getting. Our CORE front desk always offer a consultation before your first massage to make sure you get the treatment that will benefit your unique needs. Want to give them all a try? We offer a monthly massage membership, so you can get the full benefits of consistent, quality treatment. Watch our video to learn more about monthly massages!