Looking for the best massage to help you reduce anxiety, stress, relax, and take away some nagging pain? These are all possible, but the effects could be based on the type of massage you choose. So what is the best type of massage for you?
Below are some of our favorite reasons that people get massage, and the we see the best results with!
Best Massage to Reduce Anxiety, Stress, or Depression
Massage is a fantastic way to reduce anxiety, stress, and depression. If this is what you are looking for, then Swedish massage is the way to go. A Swedish massage, or classic massage, helps stimulate circulation and energize your body. The main purpose of a Swedish massage is to relieve tension in your body and relax your muscles.
But the magic doesn’t stop there. When received on a regular basis it can also help with depression. Massage can help to reduce adrenaline and cortisol, and increase dopamine and serotonin, which reduces anxiety and depression. And we know relaxation is always some prime self care.
Best Type of Massage to Reduce Pain
If the goal of having a massage is to reduce pain in your back or in other areas of your body, then the best massage for you is a deep tissue massage. Unlike a Swedish massage, a deep tissue massage targets the deeper layer of muscles.
This type of massage is not for everyone, as the therapist goes deep into the layers of tissue and muscle reaching as close to the bone as possible to break up knots and release scar tissue. It uses the same types of techniques but at a much deeper level.
If you find that the deep tissue massage is causing you more pain than you can handle, always be sure to let your therapist now so that they can make you comfortable. A good deep tissue massage can work wonders for chronic muscle issues and inflammation. You may find that you are sore for a few days after a deep tissue massage. But nothing a warm Epsom salt bath can’t help to ease.
Best Massage for Flexibility and Range of Motion
If you are an athlete or have issues with flexibility and range of motion, a sports massage is one of the best types of massage you can have. This type of massage is used to help keep the muscles in the body flexible, increase your body’s range of motion, reduce muscle tension, relax nerves, reduce muscle spasms, and help with sleep. For an athlete, this type of massage is used to try to help the athlete to keep their muscles in the best physical condition and to try and reduce the chances of injury.
Sports massage can help to eliminate the build-up of lactic acids in the muscles, increase blood flow, decrease recovery time in between workouts, and decrease your chances of injury, however, these benefits are not fully supported by research. After a sports massage, you may have tender or stiff muscles. This should go away after just a day or two.
Massage for Headaches
A favorite massage for helping with migraine headaches is reflexology massage. Reflexology, or pressure point massage, provides stimulation to specific pressure points in the body to help promote neurological function and circulation. Individuals who suffer from migraines can find much-needed relief with this type of massage. The therapist applies pressure, massages, or rubs specific points in the hands and feet which trigger pain relief. Reflexology has been practiced for thousands of years but did not become popular in the United States until this past century.
Pampering Yourself With the Best Massage
When you think of a massage, most people think primarily of the pampering aspect. While a massage is a wonderful way to give yourself some extra self-care, it also has many healing properties. The healing power of touch is often overlooked as a way to help heal one’s body, mind, and soul. Whether done alone or as a complementing treatment, massage can provide benefits beyond pampering.
There are many different types of massage and this article touches on just a few of the more popular ones. Some additional types of massage to consider that also provide amazing benefits include aromatherapy massage, hot stone massage, shiatsu, Thai massage, and many more. At Salon & Spa de Crist, we can help you decide what the best type of massage is for you and your symptoms. From helping with stress and anxiety to combating muscle pain, massage therapy is a way to live a healthier, happier life. Schedule an appointment today!