What Type of Massage Do I Need?

Massage does wonders for the body, from helping to alleviate pain to promoting overall feelings of relaxation and wellness. Many massage therapy providers offer several different types of massage and considering: ‘What type of massage do I need?’ can be a daunting question. Here is the answer to that question demystified so that hopefully your next visit will achieve all of your health and wellbeing goals.  

Where do I start?

There are many types of massages commonly offered by well-trained therapists that require special training to master the nuances of each one. Common massage menus include words like Swedish, deep tissue, sports, pregnancy, couples, trigger point, aromatherapy, hand, reflexology, and plenty more. It can be intimidating to navigate that list and figure out exactly “what type of massage do I need.” Commonly, if you discuss your needs and goals with your chosen therapist, they can help point you in the right direction. 

Swedish, deep tissue, aromatherapy options

Swedish massage is one of the most commonly applied and requested types of massages designed to relax your whole body. Deep tissue massage is another commonly requested type that applies intense pressure to the muscles to relieve pain oftentimes from sports or other types of exertion. Aromatherapy is a type of massage add-on that incorporates essential oils, often added to massage oil, to add additional health and healing benefits to your massage service.   

Reflexology and trigger point

Reflexology is a type of massage that is very old with roots in Asian culture. It is a massage applied to specific areas of the feet that are thought to be connected to far off places in the body. Trigger point massage is similar in that pressure is applied to defined knots in the muscle in hopes of relieving tension, inflammation, and pain.   

What type of massage do I need now?

You first need to establish what you hope to gain from your massage. If you’re looking for an all-body relaxation experience then you can’t go wrong with a Swedish massage. If you’re experiencing pain and need intense massage to specific areas, choose trigger point or deep tissue. If you’re looking to achieve overall health and well-being, consider giving reflexology a try to improve your body’s overall function. Truth be told, massage feels great and it’s hard to pick the wrong one.