In pain and looking for a massage?

Massages are all the same right?

Just like us, massage itself comes in many types, style, philosophy, and techniques needless to say in different setting as well.  Before you go looking for a massage for whatever reason, you need to be informed of what are you actually signing up for! You look into a food products and other stuff prior to consuming but yet to look into what goes into a session if you are looking for a massage! It's quite a personal thing and you wouldn't just down a glass of something that someone says is good right, would you?

Types of massages and what they are used for: 

1. Swedish massage 
2. Sports Massage 
3. ​Tui Na massage
4. Aromatherapy
5. Manual Therapy

1. Swedish Massage
Swedish massage is gentle with oil massage that include: 

• Kneading
• Long, flowing strokes in the direction of the heart
• deep circular motions
• Manual vibration and pulsing
• Passive joint movement by the massage therapist

The session can last anywhere from 60-90 minutes.

2. Sports massage
Sports massage is a good choice to go for if you go through a repetitive movement under load, which includes running, weight lifting etc. Sports massage is slightly deeper than Swedish massage and can be done with or without oil: 

• Kneading
• Muscle fibres stripping 
• Deep short and long strokes 

​The session can last anywhere from 60-90 minutes. 

3. Tui Na Massage
Tui Na massage is derived from traditional chinese medicine (TCM) and they are usually done by the physicians themselves. Targeted to help move stagnation in the body and improving "Chi" or improving energy flow and allowing the meridians to flow once again. It's great to have Tui Na session if you want to have yourself checked for any health conditions and pain. Usually done slightly deeper into the soft tissues, movements are fast and used with a combination of oils and motion.

4. Aromatherapy Massage
Though not many of us have tried it, this is one of the more highly addictive types of massages and it can get quite costly for sessions. This is because of the essential oils they are using(yes they can get costly) and other aromatherapy smells that puts your mind at ease all while getting a massage from the therapist.  Session usually last anywhere from 60-90 minutes. 

5. Manual Therapy 
Manual Therapy is a word to describe the type of work that is involved in a session. Most physiotherapists, chiropractors, licensed / registered massage therapist (LMT/ RMT) and other therapists who have taken a form of clinical studies to assess and treat a dysfunction through soft tissue manipulations , would use the suffix "Manual Therapist". Manual therapists are also trained in managing pain and dysfunctions of the body. Healthcare provider that provides manual therapy may/ are trained in a combinations of :

• Orthopedic tests
• Soft tissue manipulation
• Visceral manipulations
• Active Release Techniques
• Fascial Stretch Therapy 
• Myofascial Release 
• Strain counter strain
• PNF (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation)
• MET (muscle energy techniques) 
• Joint mobilisations/ manipulations 
• Exercise / movement prescription

None of the above massage session should and must be painful. Public education and awareness needs to be improved as there is no such thing as pain if good as it's leaving the body. Trained therapists will ensure that the session is always within comfort of what your body allows at the moment and always working towards working with your nervous system, which controls how your tissue react upon any treatment session given by anyone. 

All in all, always check with your therapist and ask where they got their training from, and how would a session be like with them, the credentials to see if they are current in their continuing education etc. It's important to know that you are actually paying someone for their time and money taken to learn, get certified, to provide a service which can offer more than just a relaxing massage. If you have any questions, leave it in the comments section! What's your favourite massage?! 

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If you have pains coming in from sports related injuries, or looking to recover from post surgery and muscle soreness from working out or have seen gone for a massage session and still not getting what you are after, come and have your whole body check with us with our manual therapists. 

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