What is the Purpose of Different Kinds of Massage?

Swedish massage is the basic European style massage with oil, lotion or cream. The pressure is light to medium, and the basic strokes are long sweeping effleurage and the more focused kneading. The purpose is to increase circulation of blood and lymph as well as relax muscles.  It is probably the most relaxing and luxurious massage, and even though the pressure used is moderate, it definitely improves your muscles, posture and movement. It isn't generally necessary to have a deep, painful massage to get good results.

Some of the techniques of Swedish massage are used in sports massage. Massage therapists use different techniques for athletes depending on their need: during training, before or after competition, off-season and to treat common injuries such as muscle strain or spasm. Lymph drainage massage is used to reduce swelling and pain, and to speed the healing of injuries. Techniques such as cross-fiber friction are used to reduce spasm and increase the flexibility and tone of injured muscles.

Reflexology and acupressure are similar techniques, but they developed from different sources. Acupressure is a generic term for the kinds of massage that developed in Asia and that use pressure on energy points. Originally these techniques -- such as the Japanese shiatsu -- all developed in China. Besides massaging energy points, acupressurists use muscle massage -- without oil -- and joint movements to help you relax, reduce pain and improve your flexibility.

Reflexology involves massaging tender points on the feet, hands and ears that are said to reflect and treat blocked areas in the rest of the body. While there is no scientific evidence to prove that the theories of reflexology are true, it is definitely a beneficial and pleasant massage. There's something really luxurious about an hour-long, detailed foot massage.
  
Aromatherapy massage is any kind of massage with the addition of essential oils. Essential oils are produced through steam distillation, which dissolves the fragrant volatile compounds in plants. There is an art to choosing the best essential oils for each individual, based partly on tradition and partly on modern scientific information. Besides smelling wonderful, essential oils contain antioxidants that stimulate your immune system, pain relieving compounds, antiseptic compounds and emollients to soothe your skin.

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