Massage Types - Your Complete Guide for 2024

Massage therapy exists across multiple cultures, and different types of massage are used to boost your athletic performance to promote relaxation and reduce muscle tension.

Types of Massage Therapy

Humans throughout the centuries have used massage therapy as a means of relieving muscle tension, improving blood flow, and improving overall physical and mental health. Whether as a part of physical therapy or in connection with a holistic practice designed to restore balance to your body and mind, people have been going to massage therapists for millennia.

Let’s take a closer look at the different massage types, their emotional and medical benefits of massage, and what to expect from each type of massage therapist.

Thai Massage

Thai massage, which originated in India, has been around for more than 2,500 years. Originally considered a healing art, traditional Thai massage incorporates influences from both Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine.

Unlike classical massage, Thailand massage does not involve lying on a massage bed while the masseur applies oil to the body and kneads the muscles and pressure points.

Instead, you lie fully clothed on a mat on the ground while the therapist uses stretching, pulling and rocking techniques through which he or she eases muscle tension, induces relaxation, stimulates metabolism, improves muscle flexibility and blood circulation. Sometimes referred to as yoga assisted, Thai massage focuses on improving the flow of energy throughout the body and help with stress related disorders.

Ayurvedic Massage

Ayurvedic massage is one of the oldest techniques for relieving pain and regenerating tissues. It was developed to protect our bodies from disease and to help cure various ailments.

It is a full body massage. It begins by massaging the head in a sitting position and then the various parts of the body are massaged including the face, hands and feet.

How is an Ayurvedic Massage Different from Other Massages?

Firstly, during the massage, carefully chosen oils are applied to the body, with sesame oil being the primary choice in Ayurveda and a key component in massages. These oils, including sesame oil, possess remarkable healing and nurturing qualities, serving as rejuvenating elixirs for the skin. Packed with unsaturated fatty acids, as well as vitamins E, A, and C, which act as natural antioxidants, they provide essential nutrients that our skin craves. Massaging with natural oils effectively moisturizes, nourishes, and fortifies the body, with warmed sesame oil having the unique ability to deeply penetrate the skin. This penetration not only directly benefits the body but also extends to the connective tissue, nurturing and lubricating joints, bones, and toning muscles. Furthermore, sesame oil contains vitamin K, contributing to the formation of bone tissue.

Ayurvedic massages are especially recommended for people who have dry skin, dry cracking joints and bones, people suffering from osteoporosis, arthritis, suffering from constipation and colon problems. One of the primary tasks of massage is to cleanse the body of accumulated toxins. Thanks to the movements of the masseur and the fact that the oil applied to the skin is warm, the pores of the skin expand more, so toxins are removed better and faster from our body. This is why massage is such an important procedure performed during the Ayurvedic purification and revitalization therapy for the body called Panchakarmom.

Massaging the skin with warm oil also has a healing effect on our nervous system. Contact with a friendly touch on oiled skin causes positive impulses to be transmitted to the brain via nerve fibers. Thus, it is a massage that provides deep relaxation, eliminates stress and removes fatigue. It is recommended for people suffering from neuroses, insomniacs, overworked and overtired people with concentration and memory problems.

Sports Massage

A sports massage isn’t just one type of massage therapy- it’s actually a combination of different elements from Swedish massage and other massage techniques designed to boost athletic performance and reduce overall soreness and muscle tension.

A sports massage can also help improve your flexibility. If you have an active lifestyle, this type of massage may be a good choice.

Swedish Massage

Swedish massage is very relaxing- it’s used to treat everything from anxiety to muscle tension and stiffness. In fact, Swedish massage techniques are so popular that many other practices incorporate the same stroking, kneading and tapping movements.

During treatment, you’ll lie on a table while partially covered with a sheet or towel. Many people who get regular Swedish massages report improved circulation and reduced stress.

Shiatsu Massage

Shiatsu massage has its roots in ancient Japan and is a type of deep tissue massage that uses finger pressure (the literal translation of “shiatsu”) to loosen muscle tension and improve blood flow. In some ways, this is a bit similar to reflexology (although they focus on different body parts), because they are both types of trigger point massage.

Shiatsu trained massage therapists will also use their elbow, knuckles and even feet to stimulate different pressure points and release tension at each trigger point, improving the body’s flow of “Ki”, or energy.

Elements Massage

This is actually a combination of multiple different types of massage therapy techniques that can be customized to fit the needs of each client. During your initial assessment, your therapist will assess the balance of the four elements/ energies in your body (earth, air, water and fire), and come up with a treatment plan.

Often, this practice includes using specific essential oils, aromatherapy or energy healing practices like reiki.

Chinese Massage

For thousands of years, massage therapy has been used in traditional Chinese medicine. While many Western massage techniques target different muscle groups to relieve tension and improve circulation, Chinese massage focuses on the body’s acupressure points.

Practitioners of Chinese therapeutic massage will use a combination of firm pressure plus kneading and chopping motions to relieve muscle tension and restore the body’s flow of energy.

Lomi Lomi Massage

This is another traditional type of massage therapy that uses kneading motions to ease muscle tension. It’s a traditional Polynesian healing practice that has recently become popular with tourists.

Lomilomi is a gentle massage technique whose movements are designed to mimic ocean waves, shifting the soft tissues back and forth. It’s used to reduce stress, improve digestion and relieve muscle soreness.

Aromatherapy Massage

Aromatherapy massage uses essential oils to promote emotional and physical calm and improve a client’s general wellbeing.

This type of massage therapy can vary a lot depending on the practitioner you’re working with- some therapists will apply the oils to your skin, while others will use an oil diffuser to scent the room. Make sure to tell them about any allergies you have.

Lymphatic Drainage Massage

Lymphatic massage is used to relieve fluid buildup in your tissues. Also called manual lymph drainage, it involves applying gentle pressure to your soft tissue, starting in the affected area and moving outwards to reduce swelling and stimulate your lymphatic system.

Manual lymphatic drainage massage therapy is often used after surgery or an injury, but make sure to check with your doctor before beginning this therapy.

Deep Tissue Massage

Among the different types of massage therapies, this is one of the more intense. During a deep tissue massage, your massage therapist will use deep finger pressure, long strokes and kneading motions to relax and lengthen muscle groups and alleviate pain at trigger points.

If you suffer from chronic muscle pain, deep tissue massage may help, as long as you can tolerate it.

Prenatal Massage

Prenatal massage helps to relieve stress and sore muscles specifically associated with pregnancy, and it’s designed to be safer for most pregnant women.

During treatment, you’ll lie down on a specially designed table or rest on your side while a massage therapist applies mild pressure to different muscles. They’ll usually avoid your abdomen.

Myofascial Release Therapy

Myofascial therapy is a hands-on technique used to helps with myofascial pain. “Myo” means muscle. “Fascial” refers to the connective tissue that covers and supports the muscles throughout your entire body. During myofascial release therapy, your therapist doesn’t focus specifically on your muscles. They focus on releasing tension in your fascial tissues.

Hot Stone Massage

Hot stone massage is one of the more interesting massage techniques we’ve seen- it involves placing smooth hot or cold stones at different points on the body as part of the massage therapy process.

Heated stones are used to soothe sore and tight muscles and improve circulation, while cold stones can help reduce swelling and inflammation. If you have chronic pain or arthritis, hot stone massage may help.

Full Body Massage

During a full body massage, your massage therapist will concentrate on different sections of your body while you relax on the table. You’ll usually be at least partially undressed, but most of your body will be covered by a clean sheet or towel while they work. They may use massage oil, but this varies among different practitioners.

Most spas offer full body massages as part of their service menu, and this can be a truly relaxing experience.

Chair Massage

Just like the name suggests, a chair massage is performed with the client sitting down in a specially designed chair, rather than laying on a table. The chair had a support for the face and neck, so you’ll be very comfortable.

The massage therapist will focus on your upper body using different techniques to relieve tension and relax tired muscles. If you work in front of a computer all day, consider trying a chair massage.

Foot Massage

Who doesn’t love a foot massage? If you don’t have access to your own massage therapist, you may have tried this at home with a partner. Since many of us spend all day on our feet at work, a foot massage is an excellent way to reduce tension, ease sore spots and improve circulation.

Booking a regular foot massage appointment is also a great way to take care of yourself and stay on top of any calluses, bunions or trouble-spots before they become a problem.

Japanese Massage

Traditional Japanese massage therapy focuses on the neck, back, legs and arms and uses a combination of kneading, tapping and pressure-point therapy to ease sore muscle tissue and restore energy flow throughout the body. There are several multiple types of Japanese traditional massage, including Amna and Shiatsu.

Reflexology Massage

Sometimes referred to as “Zone Therapy,” Reflexology massage is a sort of trigger point therapy that works by putting pressure on different points on your hands and feet. Some reflexology therapists will also massage pressure points on a client’s ears.

The philosophy behind reflexology massage therapy is that every system in the human body is connected to these trigger points, and conditions like pain and inflammation can be treated by stimulating them.

Couples Massage

This can be almost any type of massage, but for two people. In most cases, couples will lay down on adjacent tables of massage chairs in the same room and enjoy their treatments at the same time.

Whether you’re both tense and looking to relax together or you just want to try something new for your next date night, couples massage can be a fun way to bond.

Craniosacral Therapy

Sometimes referred to as CST, craniosacral therapy involves using light pressure and gentle movements to help relieve pressure throughout the central nervous system and restore the balance of cerebrospinal fluid in the body.

A CST session is carried out in a peaceful, quiet setting with soft lighting, while the client is fully clothed. Many people who are feeling tired, achy and “burned out” from stress use CST to manage their symptoms.

Nuru Massage

The word “Nuru” comes from the Japanese word for “Slippery”, and this plays a big part in Nuru Massage. Traditionally considered a type of “erotic” massage, it’s also gained some recent attention for its therapeutic benefits.

Nuru massage therapy is not for anyone who’s shy. Both the client and the masseuse are covered in a slippery massage oil, and the therapist uses different parts of their body to knead and massage the client while they lay on the floor. It’s definitely a memorable experience.

Myofascial Massage

Myofascial massage therapy focuses on the fascia (the connective tissues that surround the tendons, muscles and ligaments). During a session, massage therapists will apply gentle, continuous pressure in different directions in order to encourage these tissues to stretch.

If you’re dealing with pain that’s related to your connective tissues, ask your doctor about myofascial massages.

Pregnancy Massage

We’ve already talked about prenatal massage therapy, but there are actually many types of massage therapies that can benefit pregnant women. Some women use Swedish massage to improve blood flow and ease aches and reduce pain, while others enjoy shiatsu or trigger point therapy.

Make sure to discuss your options with both your doctor and massage therapist. Then, you can come up with the safest and most effective treatment plan.

How Often Should I Get A Massage?

Realistically, you can get most massages as often as you want to, but in most cases it’s recommended that you stick to once or twice a week in order to give your body time to recover between sessions. Soaking in a warm bath with some epsom salts can help speed up this process.

Recommendations

We hope that we’ve been able to send you in the right direction and help you to choose the best massage technique for your needs.

If you’re still not sure which one is best for you, then why not try a few different types of massage therapy and see which one is the best fit? Just make sure to have a conversation with your trained massage therapist about any concerns or things that you want them to focus on.

Citations

Massage therapies
https://www.bmj.com/content/319/7219/1254.full-text

Massage therapy effects
https://psycnet.apa.org/journals/amp/53/12/1270/

The safety of massage therapy
https://academic.oup.com/rheumatology/article