SWEDISH MASSAGE

The most common type of massage is Swedish massage therapy. It involves light, long, kneading strokes, as well as light, rhythmic, tapping strokes, on the topmost layers of muscles. By relieving muscle tension, Swedish therapy can be both relaxing and energizing. Some say it may even help after an injury.

DEEP TISSUE

Deep tissue massage is beneficial for giving attention to certain painful, stiff “trouble spots” in your body. The massage therapist uses slow, deliberate strokes that focus pressure on layers of muscles, tendons, or other tissues deep under your skin. Deep tissue is less rhythmic than other types of massage and can be quite therapeutic — relieving chronic patterns of tension and helping with muscle injuries, such as back sprain.

MYOFASCIAL RELEASE

Myofascial release is a manual therapy technique used with massage. The technique focuses on pain that is thought to originate from myofascial tissues, which is the tough membrane that wraps, connects and supports your muscles. The therapist locates myofascial areas that feel stiff and fixed instead of elastic and movable. These areas, though not always near what feels like the source of pain, are thought to restrict muscle and joint movements, which contributes to widespread muscle pain

HOT STONE MASSAGE

Your massage therapist will use smooth, heated stones and will place them on the body as well as use them during your massage. The heat can be both deeply relaxing and help warm up tight muscles so the therapist can work more deeply onto specific points of the body (such as the back).