Alternative Body Massage Methods Worth Trying

If you're looking for alternative body massage methods you've come to the right place. As you probably know, body massage can work wonders to improve your overall well-being and health when performed properly.

As helpful as a massage can be, if you have any pre-existing medical conditions you'll want to consult with your doctor first before getting a massage. With that being said, let's get into the details.

What is Massage?

• Aromatherapy
• Hot Stone Massage
• Thai Massage
• Reflexology
• Massage Chairs
• Shiatsu Massage
• Deep-Tissue Massage
• Sports Massage
• Cupping Therapy
• Conclusion

Massage is the stimulation of soft tissues within the body; its techniques usually use palms, thumbs, elbows, knees, forearms, feet, or instruments.

Massage therapy is usually meant for treating tension or pain in the body by applying gentle or heavy pressure on the body's muscles and joints relieving pain and stress. 

Aromatherapy

The incorporation of fragrances into the massage phase is well known for enhancing mood, tension, and sleep.

The aroma comes from plant-extracted essential oils, and they are believed to activate neurotransmitters and other triggers that regulate actions and emotion.

Typically the massage therapist will choose which essential oils to use, but if you wish, you can let them know what you want.

Before applying the essential oils, they dilute it first. You will be experiencing a full-body massage during the massage while breathing essential oils through a diffuser, absorbing them through your skin.

Aromatherapy massage usually hits your back, shoulders, and head. 

Hot Stone Massage

The hot stone massage is excellent for individuals with muscle pain and tension or those who want to relax.

This form of therapeutic massage is similar to a Swedish massage.

However, heated stones are used by the massage therapist in place of or in addition to their hands.

This massage relieves muscle stress, increases blood flow, and soothes discomfort.

This type of massage uses warm stones which are positioned on the body at different points.

The warmth stimulates restricted muscle tissue to help manage troublesome areas.

Typically volcanic stones are used because they hold heat well.

Thai Massage

With this massage, you can be completely dressed, so it is essential to wear loose, comfortable clothing.

The specialized therapist stretches and compresses your body parts, sometimes climbing on top of you using their hands, feet, knees, and legs to conduct this agile massage.

The strenuous massage is not like a passive yoga, so for the elderly or anyone else with pain in the back, restrictive joints, or injuries, it is not appropriate.

Thai massage is suitable for those who want a very intense form of massage and want re-occurring pain and stress reduced and eased.

Reflexology

Reflexology is excellent for individuals who are looking for relaxation or restoration of their natural energy levels.

It's also a good choice if you're not comfortable with your entire body being touched.

Reflexology uses steady pressure to firm up the various pressure points of the feet, hands, and ears.

You can wear loose, comfortable clothes, making it easier for therapists to access your body.

The idea is that activating particular feet, hands, ears, and other reflex areas might heal other organs and systems inside the body.

That is why it is an effective relaxation therapy for relieving pain, increasing circulation, and releasing blocked body energy.

Massage Chairs

This home massage machine can offer instant relaxation to help combat various illnesses and not just help the body relax but also by relieving mental anxiety and stress.

These chairs are known to help relieve stress and anxiety and have many other benefits.

Having a massage chair in your home allows you to receive a massage on your own time in the comfort of your home.

Most massage chairs come with preprogrammed massages so you are sure to find the massage that is perfect for you.

You can either do a full body massage or massage specific areas of the body.

Shiatsu Massage

Shiatsu is a Japanese technique by which the masseuse applies concentrated pressure with their hands around the body rhythmically.

This is thought to activate acupressure points, encourage equilibrium, and release negative energy, which can solve several problems in your body.

Short sessions of heated, hollow bamboo cane are used to roll and knead oil into the skin to get into any muscle knots, improve circulation, and disperse the dimply appearance of cellulite-forming fatty tissues.

Shiatsu also offers the benefits of both hot stone and deep-tissue therapy.

Make sure and properly prepare before your first session to ensure maximum benefits.

Deep-Tissue Massage

This concentrated massage therapy gets deep in the tissue to work out all the troubled areas.

It can help with the extreme strain; slow strokes help reduce severe discomfort, posture issues, or sore muscles.

It's also known to help reduce the feeling of pain caused by arthritis.

Massage of deep tissues requires more force than a Swedish massage. When you have recurring muscle injuries, such as soreness, swelling, or dysfunction, it's smart to have this massage.

Sports Massage

Sports therapy is a safe choice if you have constant muscle pain, like what you would get by playing sports.

When you're susceptible to injury it can be used to help avoid sports injuries.

Sports massage can also be a solution to improve flexibility, efficiency, alleviate pain, anxiety, and muscular stress.

A sports massage may be done as a full-body massage, or the massage therapist can concentrate on the body parts that require ample attention.

Deep pressure, based on your needs, may alternate with a variety of soothing strokes.

When dressed or nude, you can get a sports massage. If you choose to wear clothing, make sure that they are loose and allow the therapist to reach your muscles.

Cupping Therapy

You may have seen cupping therapy before and thought it looked painful, but they look more frightening than they feel.

The cupping method is a treatment of alternative medicine, in which the implementation of heated cups creates a local suction on the skin.

The bruise that it leaves will be gone within a week, so don't worry! Cupping is perfect for stimulation of the blood vessels and soothes the nervous system, migraine headaches, depression, and even fat.

Conclusion

Massage can be a great way to make you feel mentally and physically healthier. Whether you go to a masseuse or make use of a massage chair in your home, there are many good things that can come from a relaxing massage.

We hope you've enjoyed this article and feel more informed about what's available to you regarding a massage. Thank you for reading!