Massage is like many other things in life. On the surface it is a simple concept but when you take a deeper look there are different skills, techniques and beliefs that drive a diverse range of services resulting in the multitude of types that are now available. With so many options at hand, it can all be a bit overwhelming to decide which one to choose. This article attempts to give you a high level understanding of the types of massage you have to choose from so you can find the one that is right for you.

Remedial Massage

The most popular category relates to recovery and injury management. When referring to this category, you will typically see terms such as remedial massage, Myotherapy, deep tissue massage or, quite simply, sports massage, to describe these services. Therapists that specialize in this area typically apply a range of techniques to alleviate muscle pain and tension.

Pressure Point Techniques

Therapists will commonly list other types of techniques such as Acupressure, Trigger Point Therapy or Shiatsu in their list of qualifications or range of services. These are all pressure point techniques that can be used throughout a massage. Pressure points exist throughout your body and a trained practitioner will know which points to target at an appropriate level of pressure to address your specific needs. Most of us have experienced the use of pressure points through self massage, as they can be easily found throughout your body but most of us do not really understand exactly what they are each for. Massage therapists that use these techniques are trained to understand the various pressure points and how they relate to each part of the body to target a specific need or issue.

Specialist Techniques

Some practitioners will also use other specialist techniques such cupping, Bowen Therapy and lymphatic drainage to provide a broader range of treatment beyond massage. A good practitioner will normally ask if they can apply these techniques before using them and answer any questions if you are not clear on what they are going to do and why. It is quite acceptable to say no if you are uncomfortable, because a good practitioner will be able to draw on a range of skills to address the same issue. In some cases it is simply that it will take longer or multiple sessions to achieve a similar result through their standard technique.

Cultural Influences

Lastly there are types of massage that are inspired by a traditional cultural technique such as Swedish or Thai massage. Massage has been applied throughout the ages and across many cultures to heal through touch. As a result, there are numerous traditional techniques available that are drawn from many different cultures. Each will be based on a particular set of cultural beliefs and traditions that appeal to you.

As you can see there is a lot of different terminology applied within the category of massage, only some of which I have touched on today. The best advice I can offer is not to agree to any technique you are uncomfortable with and remember that whilst there may be discomfort at times, you should speak up if you are in any serious pain. Hopefully this high level summary has helped and if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!