Massage Techniques – 3 Methods That Will Melt Your Tense Muscles

In this article we will discuss the various massage techniques available and 3 methods that will melt your tense muscles and truly relax you. No matter which massage method you choose, all of the below options can help release tension and relax your muscles.

1. Swedish Massage: Effleurage, friction, petrissage, tapottement, and vibration make up Swedish massage techniques. Effleurage is long sweeping strokes given from either the padded parts of your fingertips or the palm of your hand.

The next two techniques, friction and petrissage, help to relax the muscle and involve squeezing and kneading the muscles of the body. To energize areas of the body, tapottement, rhythmic hitting or chopping is used and to help loosen the muscles, finally vibration is used.

2. Deep Tissue: Slow and focused massage techniques, otherwise known as deep tissue massage, are designed to relieve muscle tension and alleviate inflammation and joint pain. Using many of the same techniques as Swedish massage, deep tissue massage uses a variation that works eash muscle more thoroughly.

It can cause some discomfort at first, but this method shouldn’t hurt. 24 hours after you have the massage you will start to notice a difference and the improvement that can be achieved by this therapeutic technique.

3. Hot Stone: A much calmer and more relaxing technique is a hot stone massage. Unlike deep tissue massage which is designed to focus on curing a problem, hot stone massage techniques focus completely on relaxation and the enjoyment of the person receiving the massage.

It starts using traditional Swedish massage techniques and evolves into the use of hot stones that are laid upon a person’s back. The heat from the massage stones helps to release tension and can be a very relaxing experience.

In this article we looked at massage techniques and 3 methods that will take your stress away. Swedish massage techniques are the most common, but deep tissue and hot stone massages can also provide excellent benefits if you are experiencing muscle tension and/or pain.

Want to know more?

Tess Rainey, an advocate for alternative medicine, created a website that can help you find the peace and relaxation your body needs. Her website, SwedishMassageTechniques.NurturingYourBody.com, has information regarding shiatsu massage techniques as well as sports massage techniques.