Abhyanga is an ancient type of oil massage that is part of the Ayurvedic medicine system. The oil is heated and then gently massaged all over the body, focusing on nourishing the skin rather than deeply massaging the muscles. These different types of massages and methods are called modalities. Modalities have been developed to address specific problems or areas of concern for personalized results.
There are many modalities, but here are 11 popular ones that you can commonly find: Abhyanga, Swedish, Deep Tissue, Hot Stone, Sports, Shiatsu, Trigger Point, Couples, Prenatal, Natural Body International Inc., and Classic Massage. Each modality has its own unique benefits and techniques. Abhyanga is a type of oil massage that focuses on nourishing the skin rather than deeply massaging the muscles. The oil is heated and then gently massaged all over the body.
This type of massage helps to relax muscle tension and increase relaxation levels. Swedish massage is the most common type of massage. It uses light to moderate pressure to adapt to your comfort level and involves different techniques and strokes. It includes five different types of strokes: kneading towards the heart, vibration, rhythmically tapping and sliding with firm movements.
Deep tissue massage pays attention to painful problem points on the body. It focuses on muscle knots (areas of tension within the muscle fiber) and problem areas in the deeper muscle layers and connective tissue. Massage therapists will use slow, firm, and intense movements or friction to help relieve pain from repetitive tension, postural problems, injuries, and tense or painful muscles. Hot stone massage sessions often complement a regular massage experience and do not use exclusively stones for the entire duration.
Hot stones (usually a volcanic rock called basalt that retains heat) are placed on different parts of the body to provide heat on the muscles for a relaxing and healing effect. Sports massage is a variation of Swedish massage that is specifically designed with athletes in mind. It aims to address pain caused by repetitive movements and help active people recover more quickly from stress and injury. It manipulates the soft tissues of the body and focuses on certain muscle groups that depend on the athlete's sport.
Shiatsu massage is a Japanese style of massage rooted in Chinese medicine that aims to eliminate blockages that prevent the body's energy force, or Qi, from flowing freely. Therapists use many different techniques, often using the elbows, knees and even the feet, while working on tension in the back, joints, and extremities. Trigger point massage aims to dissipate chronic tension located deep within the muscles. Massage therapists knead two clients side by side in the same room using Swedish massage as a modality but other types such as deep tissue massage or hot stone massage can be requested as well.
Couples massages involve two people receiving massages at the same time in the same room from two different therapists. This type of massage can be a great way to relax with your partner or friend while enjoying some quality time together. Prenatal massages are specifically designed for pregnant women who are experiencing pregnancy pains such as backaches or headaches due to hormonal changes or weight gain. This type of massage can help reduce stress levels while providing relief from pregnancy pains.
Natural Body International Inc., 1123 Zonolite Road Suite 16 Atlanta GA 30306 offers a variety of therapeutic massages that have incredible mental and physical health benefits while serving different functions. Classic Massage is a well-known type of massage that is now used all over the world under this name. It involves different techniques and strokes such as vibration, prolonged kneading towards the heart, rhythmically tapping and sliding with firm movements.
