Swedish massage is a whole-body therapeutic massage treatment that works the soft tissues and muscles to help restore health – creating a calming and balancing effect on the nervous system.
The massage therapist will use five main types of massage techniques in a Swedish massage: stroking and gliding; kneading; rubbing; tapping or pounding; vibration
The various Swedish massage techniques, created by the Father of Swedish Massage, Per Henrik Ling, are designed to improve your circulation, soothe your muscles and make you feel more relaxed.
Unlike deep tissue massage, Swedish massage therapy uses softer strokes on the bonier and more delicate parts of the body, and stronger strokes where there is thicker muscle coverage. This adjustment of pressure makes it an ideal massage for relaxation.
Deep tissue massage is a type of massage technique which uses deep pressure. Combining slow strokes and notable finger pressure, the purpose is to release the tension and tightness held deeply in your muscles and your connective tissues.
A deep tissue massage will typically focus on your primary areas of discomfort. This will typically be the back, neck, shoulders, buttocks and legs. However, it is also used on the arms, for example in the case of tennis elbow, or the feet, such as with plantar fasciitis. The increased pressure helps to alleviate any soreness or imbalance caused by injury or tenseness. If you have anxiety or are suffering with stress, a deep tissue massage will help to release the tension you are carrying in your body as a result.
A deep tissue massage typically lasts for 60 minutes to 90 minutes. It is an intense massage technique, but you shouldn’t experience any pain.
Deep tissue massage benefits fall into both the physical and mental wellbeing camps. Most massages focus on relaxation alone. A deep tissue massage brings you these benefits but also helps you physically in terms of aches and stiffness. The main benefits of deep tissue massage include:
Pain relief: Whether you’re struggling with a sports injury, living with plantar fasciitis, or have a chronic condition such as sciatica or fibromyalgia, deep tissue massage can bring pain relief. Evidence shows that massage is a powerful pain reliever.
Healing: The increased blood flow stimulated by the massage works to help reduce inflammation and promote faster healing of injuries.
Lowers blood pressure: Studies have shown that massage can help to lower your blood pressure.
Improved flexibility: Deep tissue massage can improve the range of movement in tight muscles, allowing for better performance and safer workouts.
Relaxation: Massage is a wellbeing wonder, and deep tissue massage has the same relaxing benefits. The massage boosts the body’s release of feel-good hormones like dopamine, serotonin and endorphins ensuring you feel blissfully relaxed.
Aids sleep: As well as helping you sleep better due to pain relief, a deep tissue massage can have a soporific effect later on due to the natural injection of serotonin your body receives.
Break-up scar tissue: If you have large or notable scars, a deep tissue massage will help to release the tension created by the scar, working fascia loose and promoting greater flexibility in the area.
First of all, what does “lomi lomi” mean? In Hawaiian, ‘lomi lomi’ translates to ‘rub rub’ – and this is exactly what a
lomi lomi massage involves. Using long, deep strokes, the massage therapist will use their hands and forearms to relax your muscles and promote blood circulation throughout your body.
Reflexology is a natural and safe therapy that uses the technique of applying gentle pressure to reflex points on the feet, hands or face. It is based on the theory that different reflex points correspond with different areas of the body. By stimulating these reflex points a positive response can be achieved in the corresponding part of the body. It is a therapy that can be received by anyone at any age.
