What Are the Different Types of Massage?
Swedish massage is perhaps the most common type of massage you’ll encounter, but there are many different types of massages you can choose from. Here’s a brief breakdown of four of the most popular massage modalities:
Swedish
During this relaxation-focused style of massage, therapists use long, gliding strokes and circular motions to help knead away tension in the shallowest layers of muscle.
Deep-tissue
As its name suggests, this style of massage aims to alleviate chronic tension held in the deepest layers of muscle and fascia. This style may be right for you if you are suffering from chronic pain.
Sports massage
Ideal for athletes and active people, sports massage can help improve athletic performance, prevent injury, and restore range of motion by keeping the muscles loose.
Reflexology
This style of massage focuses solely (pun not intended) on the feet, but its benefits can be felt throughout the body. How? Practitioners stimulate precise points on the feet that are believed to correlate to other organs and bodily systems.