Massaging has been practiced since thousands of years. Presently there are more than 80 different styles of skin massaging for you to choose.  All the massage types vary primarily in pressure, movements and techniques. It involves actions like pressing, rubbing, manipulating muscles and soft tissues with hands and fingers. In some cases, forearms, elbows and feet are also involved in massaging.

Best Massage Style For Healthy Skin

Some of the common styles used in massage therapy vary from long smooth strokes to short percussive strokes. Using oil or massage creams reduces the massage friction and helps to provide better massage results.  Any massage can last from a few minutes to a few hours based on the type of massage.

Swedish Massage

This is one of the most common massage types and it involves soft, long, kneading strokes. Light, rhythmic, tapping strokes on the top of the muscle are also common. This massage style relieves muscle tension, rejuvenates and energizes the otherwise tired muscles. The massage type also helps to relieve injured muscles.

Photo Credit: Relax-revitalise.co.uk

The four important Swedish massage strokes include smooth gliding strokes termed as effleurage, squeezing, kneading strikes termed as petrissage, and deep circular strokes that improve the blood circulation that even breaks down the scar tissue termed as friction stoke and short alternative tapings done with cupped hands known as tapotement.

Other Popular Massage Types

Some of the other popular massage includes neuromuscular therapy massage, deep tissue massage, sports massage, chair massage, shiatsu massage, Thai massage, hot stone massage, reflexology, pregnancy massage.

Popular Massage Details

In hot stone massage, the therapist places warm stones on the acupressure points in the body and they are used for massaging the body. The deep heat penetrates the body while massaging providing soothing relief for body and mind. In Thai massage, the therapist uses the body to move the person to different body angles and the massaging includes muscle compression, joint mobilization, and also acupressure.

Photo Credit: Choco-life.ru

Also Read

Foot And Leg Massage
Hands And Arms Massage
Benefits Of Body Massage
Curative Power Of Massage

In Shiatsu massage, finger pressure is applied for massaging. Finger pressure is given to acupressure points and it helps in flow of energy through these points. This massage type helps in unblocking the acupressure points. Reflexology, on the other hand uses hands, thumbs and finger pressure to massage all the body parts. This massage helps in rejuvenating the body and revitalizes the body within minutes.

Pregnancy massage is a special type that helps the body to combat bodily changes during pregnancy. The massage decreases pressure, reduces pressure, prevent swelling, and joint pain. This massage uses special massage pillows and you are allowed to sit in comfortable position before massaging.

Massage Health Benefits

Massage therapies offer various health benefits in addition to just relaxing your mind and soul. In majority of the cases, massages help the individual to overcome back pains, headaches, osteoarthritis, cancer prevention, overcome anxiety, improving the skin health, rejuvenating and improving skin texture and complexion, etc.

Photo Credit: Copperleafhomesva.com

These massage types if done by professional offers better results than done by you. Doing by self reduces the massage efficiency and the results last only for a short period.

Photo Credit: Schottmassagetherapy.com