Massage

Deep Tissue

Deep tissue massage uses more pressure than a Swedish massage. It’s a good option if you have chronic muscle problems, such as soreness, injury, or imbalance. It can help relieve tight muscles, chronic muscle pain, and anxiety.

During a deep tissue massage, your massage therapist will use slow strokes and deep finger pressure to relieve tension from the deepest layers of your muscles and connective tissues. You can be naked during this massage or wear your underwear. While deep tissue may be more intense, you shouldn’t feel any pain or soreness.

NB: Deep tissue massage is a good option if you have a lot of muscle tension or chronic pain. Avoid this type of massage if you’re overly sensitive to pressure.

Prenatal Massage

Prenatal massage can be a safe way for women to get a massage during pregnancy. It can help reduce pregnancy body aches, reduce stress, and ease muscle tension. You can get a massage at any time during your pregnancy. However, many facilities, especially in the United States, do not offer massages to women in their first trimester due to the risk of miscarriage during this time.

Prenatal massage uses mild pressure similar to Swedish massage. The therapist will focus on areas such as your lower back, hips, and legs. You can be fully or partially undressed depending on your comfort level. During the massage, you’ll either lie on your side or on a specially designed table with a cutout for your belly.

NB: Prenatal massage is a good option for pregnant women.
This type of massage focuses on gentle pressure and is good for relaxation and mild tension relief. If you’ve had pain in your calves or other parts of your leg, see a doctor before you have a massage. Each session could be 60, 90 or 120 minutes

Swedish Massage

Swedish massage is a gentle type of full-body massage that’s ideal for people who are new to massages, have a lot of tension and are sensitive to touch. It involves soft, long, kneading strokes, as well as light, rhythmic, tapping strokes, on topmost layers of muscles. This is also combined with the movement of the joints. By relieving muscle tension, Swedish therapy can be both relaxing and energizing.

NB: For this massage, you’ll remove your clothes, though you may choose to keep your underwear on. You’ll be covered with a sheet while lying on the massage table. The massage therapist will move the sheet to uncover areas that they are actively working on.

Couples Massage

A couple’s massage is a massage that you do with your partner, friend, or family member in the same room. It brings all the benefits of a regular massage and sometimes provides you with access to the spa’s hot tubs, saunas, and other facilities. Other treatments such as pedicures, facials, and body scrubs are sometimes offered as part of a package.

You can usually choose which type of massage you’d like to receive, and you and your partner can each get a different type of massage depending on your preference and the offerings at the spa. Your partner and you will be on tables side-by-side, and you’ll each have your own massage therapist working on your body. You can talk during the massage if you wish.

NB: A couple’s massage is a massage you have in a shared room with a friend, partner, or family member. You can usually choose from a variety of types of massages to have during your appointment. Swedish and hot stone massages are commonly offered as an option during a couple’s massage. Each session could be 60, 90 or 120 minutes

Hot stone

Hot stone massage is best for people who have muscle pain and tension or who simply want to relax. This type of therapeutic massage is similar to a Swedish massage, only the massage therapist uses heated stones in lieu of or in addition to their hands. It eases muscle tension, improves blood flow, and relieves pain by using heated stones. Hot stone massage may help ease muscle tension, improve blood flow, alleviate pain, promote relaxation, relieve stress

During a hot stone massage, heated stones are placed on different areas around your whole body. Your therapist may hold a stone as they massage different parts of your body using Swedish massage techniques using gentle pressure. Sometimes cold stones are also used.

NB You don’t wear clothes for hot stone massages, unless you’ll feel more comfortable wearing your underwear. You will be covered with a sheet. Usually, the massage is 90 minutes long Hot stone massage may relieve more muscle tension than a Swedish massage because of the added heat. This type of massage in usually more expensive than a Swedish massage. Each session could be 60, 90 or 120 minutes

Cupping

Cupping is a type of alternative therapy that originated in China. It involves placing cups on the skin to create suction. The suction may facilitate healing with blood flow. Cupping increases blood circulation to the area where the cups are placed. This may relieve muscle tension, which can improve overall blood flow and promote cell repair. It may also help form new connective tissues and create new blood vessels in the tissue.

As a modern cupping practitioner, I only perform dry cupping which entails using rubber pumps to create suction. With dry cupping, the cup is set in place for a set time, usually between 5 and 10 minutes

NB: Your skin may turn red as the blood vessels respond to the change in pressure. Any mild bruising or other marks usually go away within 10 days of the session. Cupping is sometimes performed along with other treatments (Swedish, hot towels, hot oils or pressure points). For best results, you may also want to fast or eat only light meals for two to three hours before your cupping session.

Sports massage

Sports massage is a good option if you have a repetitive injury to a muscle, such as what you may get from playing a sport. It’s also a good option if you’re prone to injuries because it can be used to help prevent sports injuries. You may also use sports massage to increase flexibility and performance. Additionally, sports massage can be used to relieve pain, anxiety, and muscle tension.

A sports massage can be done as a full-body massage or the massage therapist may focus on the parts of the body that need the most attention. Deep pressure may be alternated with soothing strokes depending on your needs.

NB: You can have a sports massage while clothed or naked. If you prefer to wear clothing, make sure it’s thin, loose, and allows the therapist access to your muscles. Loose shorts and a tank top are options.
Sports massage is a good option if you have an injury from repetitive muscle use. This type of massage may also help improve flexibility and sports performance and reduce your risk for injury.

Trigger point massage

Trigger point massages are best suited for people who have injuries, chronic pain, or a specific issue or condition. Sometimes areas of tightness in the muscle tissues, known as trigger points, can cause pain in other parts of the body. By focusing on relieving trigger points, this type of massage can reduce pain.

Trigger point massage uses broad, flowing strokes that are gentle and relaxing combined with stronger, deeper pressure. The massage will include work on your entire body, though your therapist will focus on specific areas of your body that need to be released. You can wear lightweight clothing for the massage or be fully or partially undressed.

NB: Trigger point massage can help you manage chronic pain. You can wear lightweight clothing for this type of massage or completely undressed. Each session could be 20, 30 or 45 minutes

Lymphatic massage

Reflexology/trigger point massage

Reflexology is best for people who are looking to relax or restore their natural energy levels. It’s also a good option if you aren’t comfortable being touched on your entire body. Reflexology uses gentle to firm pressure on different pressure points of the feet, hands and ears. You can wear loose, comfortable clothing that allows access to your legs.

NB: Reflexology focuses on pressure points in your feet, hands, and ears. This is a good option if you’re uncomfortable being touched over your entire body. You can also be fully clothed during this type of massage. Each session could be 20, 30 or 45 minutes

CBD pain relieve massage

Salt Scrub massage/Aromatherapy essential oils

The scrub is generally a blend of sea salt, sweet almond oil, and some aromatic essential oil like lemon, lavender, or mint.
As the client, you are either lying on a massage table covered with a towel or sheet or a thin piece of plastic. You are offered a pair of disposable underwear, and men are usually required to wear them. You are draped with a towel, and only the part the therapist is working on is exposed. As you lay on your stomach, the therapist rubs the salt scrub gently over your skin. The abrasiveness of the salt removes the dead skin cells. Then you turn over and the therapist exfoliates the other side. If they rub too hard, be sure to let them know.

Chair massages in spa and Events.

A chair massage is best for people who want a quick massage that focuses on your neck, shoulders, and back. A chair massage can also be a way to introduce you to massage if you’ve never had one before. Chair massage also helps to relieve stress and promote relaxation. This type of massage uses light to medium pressure.

During the massage, you’ll remain fully clothed and sit in a specially designed chair. You’ll straddle the chair so that your chest pushes into the back of the chair, allowing the massage therapist to have access to your back.

NB: A chair massage is a great option if you’re short on time. This type of massage is also a good option if you’re new to massage. These massages are usually 20–45 minutes.

Massage may be a way for you to feel better physically, mentally, and emotionally. Always communicate your expectations and intentions with your massage therapist and speak up if there is something with which you aren’t comfortable. As a California licensed massage therapist, I will advise that you talk to your doctor before getting any type of massage if you have any health concerns or conditions.