What is Deep Tissue? Can I get a Sports Massage if I'm not an athlete? Is Rolfing a massage?
Anyone perusing a Spa menu these days might think that there are possibly 100's of different types of massage. It can be very confusing and frustrating to not understand what you are paying for and how to ask for the type of session that you will enjoy. But take heart, you are not alone in your confusion. Even licensed massage therapists are challenged to draw distinctions among the many modalities and therapy names in the market today.
I'd like to take a few minutes and highlight for you the most popular types of massages, and explain briefly what makes them unique.
Swedish Massage (Relaxation) - This is the most traditional type of massage which is used as a basis for many varieties of therapy modalities. Your therapist will use a unique sequence of strokes including effleurage (gliding), petrissage (kneading), compression and tapotement (rhythmic percussion) to relax and soothe. Therapist predominantly uses their hands and pressure can range from very light to firm.
Deep Tissue Massage - In my experience, this is the most requested type of massage for a variety of reasons, ranging from a client that "wants to really feel it" to a client that wants to work out the problem areas. Deep Tissue is the most confusing and poorly defined of all massage categories, even among spa owners, therapists and Massage educators. Therefore I think it is important to draw a few important distinctions.
1. Deep Tissue is the use of specific techniques and manipulations to affect the muscle to a deep level. It is valuable in areas where tissue dysfunction or imbalance is present due to overuse or injury. This could include working out Trigger Points (knots) or breaking up adhesions that are restricting movement.
2. Deep Tissue techniques will usually be incorporated into a Swedish massage routine. But be aware that a Swedish massage with very firm pressure should not be the same thing as Deep Tissue. The difference is in the particular attention to muscle dysfunction where it is needed or appropriate.
3. Deep Tissue Massage is usually categorized as a specialty and subject to a higher price because it takes significantly more effort and time from the therapist, and also increases the risk of injury and wear on the therapist.
4. Deep Tissue is not supposed to hurt excessively, or cause bruising or damage to your muscles. Muscles do not respond well to force, but in fact do respond very effectively with gradual and targeted pressure. This type of slow and steady progress is best overall, but can require the commitment of time and consistency over a few sessions to reach maximum results.
Shiatsu - A treatment based on the Chinese energy meridian system, where the therapist uses compression and accupressure to specific points to increase relaxation and the flow of healing Chi energy thru the body. The work is traditionally done with the recipient clothed and on floor level, allowing the therapist to generate broader and stronger compression force.
Hot Stone Massage - Ahhh...everybody should get Stoned at least once in their life!! Hehe. Using swedish massage routine as a basis, the therapist will apply heated stones either placed on the body or held in the hands and incorporated into the strokes themselves. The heat is extremely soothing and also allows body tissue to warm and soften more rapidly. Stones can also be used as tools for deeper penetration. [Variations on this could include cold stones, seashells or heated bamboo sticks, etc]
Sports Massage - A sports massage is developed around the need of an athlete or physically active client to address their unique needs. Pre and post event massages assist an athlete to prepare for or recover from a match/event or workout. In between events, a sports massage can address the long term health of the athlete, addressing any injuries or repetitive stress imbalances that could occur from training patterns. The therapist will utilize a vast array of techniques appropriate for the desired outcome, including typical swedish strokes, deep tissue work, and stretching.
Thai Massage - Typically conducted on a floor mat with the client in loose comfortable clothing. The therapist uses passive stretching and pressure along energy points to increase flexibility, reduce tension and joint stiffness and increase wellbeing. Some people compare it to doing yoga without any effort, because the therapist uses their body to push you into each position.
Reflexology - Commonly confused as a massage technique, reflexology is a therapy applied to feet, hands or ears, which uses finger/thumb accupressure to stimulate pressure point zones. These points are mapped according to reflex areas that stimulate balance in the corresponding parts of the body. Reflexology is not only very soothing and relaxing, but also promotes balance to function throughout the body.
Rolfing - Also called Structural Integration work, is a form of bodywork (not necessarily defined as massage) that works to reorganize the connective tissues in the body. Whereas Deep Tissue work is focused on muscle function, SI or Rolfing focuses on the surrounding web-like complex of connective tissues to release, realign and balance the whole body. This bodywork has the ability to dramatically improve a persons posture and structural alignment.
Medical Massage -another ambiguous term which defies formal definition. At first glance, it would imply a focus of using massage techniques to address specific medical treatments or outcomes. Massage therapists are trained to work in cooperation with medical doctors to enhance or complement a patients medical treatment plan with massage therapy. Also, basic relaxation massage on it's own has multiple therapeutic benefits. Many in the Therapeutic Massage industry feel that the recent push toward medical terminology has more to do with the lucrative nature of the "alternative medicine" market, and/or the allopathic medical communities desire to tap into the alternative market in ways that appear "natural".
There are many other types of massage modalities being marketed, far too many for me to address all at once. I hope that I can highlight some of the ones I have developed an interest in with coming blogs.
If you are thinking about getting a massage for the first time, or wanting to try something a little different, my best advice will always be: Communicate your needs to your therapist. They should be happy to adapt your massage session with techniques and treatments that will give you the experience you desire.
Enjoy!!
