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9 Types of Body Massage: Which is Right for you?

1. Relaxing Massage: 

Relaxing Massage

Relaxing massage is a technique performed with lighter touches to stimulate the production of hormones responsible for relaxation, namely oxytocin, which reduces stress. Relaxing massage also lowers blood pressure, improves the digestive system and increases pain tolerance. Using this massage, tense and sore muscles relax. It is a great indication for people with fibromyalgia. This technique is a great alternative for people who are experiencing difficulties or feel distressed. It is highly recommended for those who have insomnia problems or wake up feeling tired. 

Those who have intense days in big cities tend to feel the effects of a relaxing massage better. It calms people’s minds. All body systems react positively to the technique. The heart beats calmer, breathing improves and becomes deeper, blood pressure normalizes and the intestine works better. 

Relaxing massage makes the person feel well-being, more vigor and desire. It is highly therapeutic, helps with reflection and calms before any activity that causes anxiety, such as a test or public speech. Maintains good effects for the rest of the day or longer. 

Relaxing massage has a very calming effect on the nervous system. The ANS (autonomic nervous system) has two divisions: the sympathetic system (among others, responsible for good digestion and a good sex life) and the parasympathetic system (among others, responsible for more physical activities). 

Relaxing massage turns on the parasympathetic system and turns off the sympathetic system. In Western life, it is difficult to disconnect the sympathetic system from stress and many people rarely feel calm. This stress can lead to intestinal problems (trapped or overactive bowel) and sexual problems (impotence or lack of sexual desire). Relaxing massage lowers the heart rate, has good effects on blood pressure and leaves the person ready to face the stress of everyday life. 

Furthermore, touch is important. People need to be touched to have more energy in life. A relaxing massage is a great investment, whether for your own well-being or as a gift for someone you love. 

Benefits 

Reduces blood pressure, giving relaxing effects to the skin, muscles and nervous system. It also reduces stress, combats anxiety and improves relationships, as well as providing peaceful sleep. 

2. Invigorating Massage

In massage, one of the objectives is to invigorate or relax, not only the body but also the mind. 

The invigorating massage promotes cell renewal and helps eliminate toxins. In turn, a relaxing massage aims to soften tense muscles and joints, giving the person receiving the massage a complete feeling of well-being. 

Our body has nerve endings throughout the body. These are stimulated/relaxed with massage. Massage also helps to increase blood circulation, giving the skin elasticity and rigidity, thus delaying the appearance of wrinkles. 

In the muscles, massage improves the circulation of essential nutrients to the blood. Dislocations, sprains and cramps recover faster if massage techniques are used. 

When it comes to sport, the massage should be invigorating before competition, training or exercise and relaxing afterward, soothing sore muscles. 

As is known from physics, heat expands bodies. Massage, due to its friction characteristics and by forcing the movement of joints and muscles, dilates blood vessels. Thus, blood flow is increased, causing the circulation of lymph flow and oxygen to increase, thus reducing the risk of infections and diseases. 
 
Digestion itself benefits. Assimilation and elimination processes are improved, alleviating problems such as constipation and flatulence. A regular massage helps improve digestive regulation. 

3. Hot Stone Massage

Stones had been used for many years by different people from different cultures. Hot stone massage is a complementary therapy that uses stones of various types and sizes, mainly volcanic stones that absorb much more heat, among other types such as: sodalite, rose or green quartz, red jasper, crystal, tiger’s eye, citrine , blue agate, turquoise, amethyst, imperial topaz, among others, which, when in contact with the body, are used to balance the chakras. Chakras are energy centers through which all forms of vibration that a human being comes into contact with flow. 

In this therapy, the stones are heated in water with a temperature between 36 and 40 degrees and, once they are dry, we slide them over the entire body using oil or cream. We massage the muscles, which helps to increase circulation, eliminate toxins, relieving muscle pain and relaxing all muscles. Placed at energy points (chakras) on our body, we improve the balance of energy. Stones of various sizes are placed, corresponding to the size of the area of the body where they will be placed, for better comfort and relaxation. 

This therapy is capable of leading to deep relaxation and well-being, bringing different sensations to the body with the touch of hot stones. 

Hot stone massage uses thermotherapy as a treatment. Thermotherapy is the use of temperatures for therapeutic purposes. 

The heat of the stones in massage has several benefits such as: 

  • Increased blood flow to the applied site.
  • Decreased muscle tone.
  • Increased local metabolism.
  • Decrease in pain.
  • Decrease in spasm.
  • Vasodilation of capillaries.
  • Decrease in joint stiffness.

Just like maneuvering stones around the body, it also has its great benefits: 

  • Increases blood and lymphatic circulation.
  • Stimulation of visceral functions.
  • Relief of muscle pain.
  • Increased extensibility of connective tissue (muscle fibers).
  • Helps remove toxins and impurities from the blood (metabolic products).
  • Relief of symptoms of anxiety, tension, depression, menstrual cramps.
  • Stimulation of physiological processes such as digestion and oxygenation.
  • Relaxation and general well-being.

4. Bamboo Massage

Bamboo Massage

Bamboo therapy refers to an alternative treatment that uses bamboo sticks as a therapeutic and/or aesthetic instrument. The technique associated with traditional Chinese medicine or reflexology facilitates the stimulation of reflex points and zones respectively, improving their efficiency. 

Bambootherapy was created in France, in 2003, by the Frenchman Gill Amsallem, who came with Bambootherapy to Brazil in August 2006, presenting it for the first time at an international scientific congress on aesthetics, in Rio de Janeiro. 

The bamboo sticks act as if they were an extension of the fingers, enabling maneuvers that, in addition to relaxing and awakening energy according to the rhythm, also allow for body and facial treatments, lymphatic drainage and modeling, often even more efficiently than just with your hands, as it is possible with sticks to cover a larger area with just one touch and also reach all regions of the body more intensely. The technique associated with traditional Chinese medicine or reflexology facilitates the stimulation of reflex points and zones respectively, improving their efficiency. 

Benefits: 

Relaxes, awakens energy, facilitates body and facial treatment, in addition to benefiting body shaping and lymphatic drainage. 

5. Candle Massage 

Candle Massage

Imagine a warm thread passing through the body, and then a relaxing massage, all in a calm and lightly scented environment. It’s candle massage (or Candle  Massage), a technique that sharpens the senses and has great therapeutic power. And you don’t need to worry about the hot paraffin, as it doesn’t burn. and,  in addition, it has several nourishing properties that hydrate the skin. 

Benefits:  

Candle massage brings many therapeutic and energizing health benefits, as it relieves tiredness and stress, the feeling of exhaustion, relaxes, activates circulation, relieves swelling, helps stop insomnia, improves intestinal functions, reduces irritation and promotes the general well-being of the body. In addition to all these benefits, massage with candles also promotes the beauty of the body, as it leaves the skin more beautiful and hydrated, as well as fragrant.  

Indications: 

Ideal for people experiencing symptoms of stress, physical exhaustion and insomnia. 

6. Modeling Massage

Modeling massage

Modeling massage is a massage performed with stronger and deeper movements, with the aim of reaching deeper layers of the skin. Massage also acts on circulation, improving metabolism in the region. In this way, it ends up being effective against cellulite, but only in mild and moderate degrees. Accessories can be used to increase the intensity of the massage, such as: rollers with small suction cups, textured balls, textured gloves, among others. 

Indications for modeling massage 

The main purposes of modeling massage are to activate local metabolism, increase blood circulation and stimulate neuromuscular responses, which gives the sensation of a stiffer body immediately after the procedure. This effect also helps to reduce cellulite locally, only if it is mild or moderate. However, it cannot be said that it is capable of breaking down fats, as it is impossible to do this with your hands. 

How modeling massage is done 
 
Modeling massage involves vigorous movements, performed quickly and firmly. It uses movements such as sliding, kneading, pinching and percussion. It is generally restricted to areas with a large accumulation of fat, such as : abdomen , hips , buttocks , thighs and sometimes arms.  

There may be pain, but it should not be excessive. There should be no bruises in the areas where the massage was performed, this indicates that the procedure was carried out incorrectly, with too much pressure in the region. Furthermore, the purple marks mean poor oxygenation in the area, something that goes against the principles of the technique.  

Sessions The modeling massage should be done once or twice a week, and normally the treatment should be continuous, to maintain the results. But in people with a balanced diet and constant physical activity, one session is recommended after treatment every 15, 20 days after obtaining the expected result.  

Each session lasts an average of 30 to 40 minutes, and there may be an interval of 48 to 72 hours between each session, depending on the professional’s assessment. Care to be taken before a modeling massage As the massage is generally carried out with thermogenic cosmetics (which heat and stimulate the local metabolism), the ideal is to do a body exfoliation once a week, to achieve better penetration of the active ingredients that these cosmetics contain.  

If the intention is to massage the abdomen, the ideal is not to eat before the session, as vigorous movements can cause reflux or even vomiting during the massage. Light eating and fasting for an hour and a half is enough. Care to be taken after the modeling massage The ideal is to try to leave the creams used in the massage on the skin for up to two hours, so that they can act for longer and bring benefits to the skin. Performing aerobic physical activity during this period is a great option to enhance the benefits of massage. Contraindications  

• Heart disease or hypertension are contraindicated, as massage promotes vasodilation and this can increase systemic blood pressure. • Feverish states, as the procedure raises the temperature even further. 

7. Facial massage 

Facial massage

The face also feels the tiredness of everyday life. At the end of a stressful day, not only the muscles in the body become tense and rigid, but also those in the face. Small marks are accentuated and a heavy appearance is acquired. 

Facial massage is relaxing and is an excellent alternative to relieving stress in this area of the body and restoring the skin’s radiance. With this massage the skin really feels a transformation. 

The movements are performed to activate specific points. Sagging, wrinkles and expression marks are combatted with this technique. 
There is no age restriction and can be performed on both women and men. 

What are the benefits? 

The facial muscles are relaxed and the appearance becomes lighter. 
Stress points are eliminated. 
With the relief of tension, the skin becomes more vibrant and shiny. 

At bodymassage , we don’t limit ourselves to massaging just the face. The scalp and neck are also covered. 

8. Therapeutic Massage 

Therapeutic massage

Note: Each session lasts 50 minutes. 

Therapeutic Massage involves the use of a set of specific techniques aimed at increasing muscle flexibility and toning tissues, paying special attention to certain parts of the body. It is essentially a localized massage with the aim of gradually recovering the affected area. 

In general, the real effects of massage serve to prevent, treat and improve certain pathologies, such as stress (including cases in which patients are waiting for stressful clinical procedures or recovering from surgeries), as well as; 

  • contractures
  • edema
  • muscle contraction
  • muscle spasms
  • nervous tension
  • tendonitis
  • sprains
  • cramps
  • lumbago
  • neck pain

It acts in the gradual recovery of injuries, in muscle toning and regeneration, in motor rehabilitation and in greater flexibility and mobility. 

The practice of massage has proven to be one of the most effective therapeutic methods, helping to complete the work of doctors and physical trainers. It is widely used in sports medicine. 

It is thought that massage is a luxury and it is only used when necessary. However, taking into account the increase in diseases related to tension and stress , both massage and manual therapies must be adopted and integrated into daily life and must be considered as a complementary part of preventive medicine. 

9. Quick Massage

9. Quick Massage

This massage is performed using maneuvers adapted from the oriental Anmá and Shiatsu techniques and aims to provide muscle relaxation during a session lasting approximately 15 minutes. This is enough time to feel the benefits. 

The massage is done with the client sitting in a chair designed for this technique.Demand has grown considerably for companies that care about the well-being of their employees and want to promote quality of life in the workplace, the low monthly cost of the service, the great acceptance by employees and the associated benefits ( e.g. increased profitability) are an added value to be taken into account.