Massage therapists worldwide offer various kinds of massages. This PDF is brought to you by http://www.findamassage.co.za and gives a brief description about the various kinds of massage therapies on offer

1. Types of Massage
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2. Acupressure
● Originates from traditional Chinese medicine
● Concentrates on alleviating pain and tension
● Employs strategic hand pressure techniques
● Different from acupuncture which involves
the use of needles

3. Aromatherapy
● Makes use of essential oils and therapeutic
massage like Swedish, Lymphatic, Shiatsu,
Acupressure and Reflexology
● A combination of 3 oils will be used -
including carrier oil and natural essential oils
● Promotes physical and emotional well being
and balance

4. Ayurvedic
● Ayurveda is an ancient Indian science that
uses oil and massage to enhance blood
circulation and stimulate muscles
● Helps in posture realignment, stress relief,
muscular pain relief and in strengthening
immune system and tissues.

5. Hot Stone Massage
● Makes use of warm stones to relax muscles
along with traditional Swedish massage
techniques
● Stones are placed on spine, belly or hands
to apply pressure and to open up energy
channels that enhances circulation

6. Indian Head Massage
● Also known as Champissage and is based
on Indian Ayurvedic techniques
● Involves movements like deep kneading
over the head, neck, upper back and
shoulders
● Stimulates circulation, improves mental
clarity, reduces blood pressure and improves
hair growth

7. Kahuna Massage
● Reserved for the Hawaiian royalty in earlier
times
● Performed with gentle, deep and rhythmic
strokes using the forearm and hands
● This massage aims to harmonize and
balance the whole body physically,
emotionally and spiritually

8. Lymphatic Drainage Massage
● Form of light massage tha increases lymph
flow in the body
● Very helpful for detoxification, edema,
before and after plastic surgery and in
stimulating the immune system in the body

9. Pregnancy Massage
● Focuses on relaxing tense muscles and
ligaments
● Helps reducing the tension and anxiety
surrounding an impending labour
● Different techniques depending on the needs
of the specific trimester

10. Reflexology
Involves systematic stimulation of reflexes in
hands, ears and feet
Focuses on improving the natural functioning
on these parts by applying gentle pressure
Apart from reducing stress and improving
circulation, it also helps in detoxification

11. Shiatsu
● Japanese technique that involves anma
(traditional Japanese massage),
acupressure, stretching and western
massage
● It is performed by pressing thumbs, fingers
and palms on what are called Shiatsu points
● Helps in improving the body’s natural healing
ability and treating irregularities in the body
systems

12. Deep Tissue Massage
● Works on the deep tissues of muscles and
connecting tissues
● Similar to Swedish massage in terms of the
strokes used
● Helps in relieving the body of pain and
muscle stiffness arising from sports injuries.

13. Swedish Massage
● Also known as soft tissue massage
● Massage technique involves gentle stroking
along the direction the blood flows to the
heart
● Involves kneading, stroking, tapping and
vibration
● Helps in increasing oxygen flow to the blood
and in detoxification

14. Thai Massage
● Also known as Nuad Bo-Rarn
● Is a combination of acupressure, yoga and
zen shiatsu
● Involves slow rhythmic compressions and
stretches along the body’s energy lines
● Applies pressure along the 10 most
important lines using palms, hands, elbows,
thumbs and feet

15. Find a Massage Therapist Near You
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