Leo Dimilo
Tonya Lachey
Denise Gabbard
Dianna GDifferent Types of Massages - so confusing!
July 9th 2007 05:51
I’m not a novice when it comes to having massages. As a matter of fact, I try to get a massage at least every 3 months - ever since my first experience where my therapist was this muscle-bound, dark-haired Greek Adonis. It didn't matter that he avoided going nowhere near my stinking feet, I was hooked. I regularly go to those Chinese massage places you find in the malls where the cubicles are small, the walls are thin (you can hear people next door asking if they should take off their underwear) and it’s not uncommon to find your massage therapist has switched halfway through.
Which is why I find it frustrating whenever I book a one-hour massage in a Day Spa and I’m asked if I want remedial, shiatsu, relaxation, Swedish or aromatherapy among other things. The first time I was asked, I replied with, “Oh you know, that massage where you lie in bed and someone massages your sore spots, makes you feel all nice and jelly-like, you fall asleep and you wake up, realising you’ve drooled.” After the woman cackled at me, I grudgingly just said, “Just give me that relaxation one then.” And since then, everytime I go to a Day Spa, I always get the relaxation massages – and I always end up regretting them afterwards. To me, relaxation massage is getting a massage from air – I can never feel a thing. So this year, before I book myself into a Day Spa with the girls, I thought I’d research the most common types of massages. I won’t go into much detail for each one but will only highlight the main differences between them.
Relaxation
As the name suggests, this massage is designed to merely relax your body and mind and it’s perfect for those who have had a stressful day or week and just want to get away from it all with some R&R. The therapist uses gentle to medium pressure, kneading and rubbing all over your body without making you cry out in pain and gasp, “less pressure please!”
Swedish
This is apparently the most common type of massage and is the basis for many Western massage techniques like Remedial and Aromatherapy. The therapist uses gentle but firm pressure through kneading, vibrational tapping and long gliding strokes. The main objective is to increase your body’s circulation while eliminating toxins.
Aromatherapy
A Relaxation or Swedish massage which incorporates the use of essential oils that are more beneficial with the body’s healing process than a massage alone. The oils originate from plant essence and are diluted by combining them with a carrier oil. The oils are mixed depending on what you want to get out of the massage – ie stress relief, invigoration, relaxation, etc.
Remedial/Deep Tissue
Deeper than a relaxation and a Swedish massage, it’s targeted at easing muscle tensions and chronic pain. The therapist will usually ask you what your vulnerable spots are and they’ll concentrate more on that area. The massage uses deeper and firmer pressure and you will, at times, find yourself wincing and biting your lip from crying out at the pressure but after the session, you do feel a difference and you’ll find your muscles aren’t as sore and stiff. This is the type of massage you’d usually get at those Chinese massage places in the malls. It’s perfect for when you’re suffering muscles aches and pains from doing an hour of Tae-Bo; when your shoulders are stiff from hunching over your computer all day; or when you’ve woken up with a crink in your neck.
Shiatsu
Think acupuncture without the needles. Shiatsu literally means finger pressure but, nowadays, the therapist can also utilise their palms, elbows and knees. Like acupuncture, it concentrates on applying pressure to specific points in your body along pathways called a ‘meridian’ to unblock the flow of energy or chi.
Thai Massage
This massage is not for the faint-hearted or for those who can’t reach their toes. I had this (unfortunate) experience when I booked for a massage in a Bangkok hotel and walked out of the session, frantically ensuring my limbs were still intact. This massage technique is more energetic and vigorous with the therapist moving parts of your body in opposite directions in yoga-style stretches.
*image from www.sxc.hu
Which is why I find it frustrating whenever I book a one-hour massage in a Day Spa and I’m asked if I want remedial, shiatsu, relaxation, Swedish or aromatherapy among other things. The first time I was asked, I replied with, “Oh you know, that massage where you lie in bed and someone massages your sore spots, makes you feel all nice and jelly-like, you fall asleep and you wake up, realising you’ve drooled.” After the woman cackled at me, I grudgingly just said, “Just give me that relaxation one then.” And since then, everytime I go to a Day Spa, I always get the relaxation massages – and I always end up regretting them afterwards. To me, relaxation massage is getting a massage from air – I can never feel a thing. So this year, before I book myself into a Day Spa with the girls, I thought I’d research the most common types of massages. I won’t go into much detail for each one but will only highlight the main differences between them.
As the name suggests, this massage is designed to merely relax your body and mind and it’s perfect for those who have had a stressful day or week and just want to get away from it all with some R&R. The therapist uses gentle to medium pressure, kneading and rubbing all over your body without making you cry out in pain and gasp, “less pressure please!”
Swedish
This is apparently the most common type of massage and is the basis for many Western massage techniques like Remedial and Aromatherapy. The therapist uses gentle but firm pressure through kneading, vibrational tapping and long gliding strokes. The main objective is to increase your body’s circulation while eliminating toxins.
Aromatherapy
A Relaxation or Swedish massage which incorporates the use of essential oils that are more beneficial with the body’s healing process than a massage alone. The oils originate from plant essence and are diluted by combining them with a carrier oil. The oils are mixed depending on what you want to get out of the massage – ie stress relief, invigoration, relaxation, etc.
Remedial/Deep Tissue
Deeper than a relaxation and a Swedish massage, it’s targeted at easing muscle tensions and chronic pain. The therapist will usually ask you what your vulnerable spots are and they’ll concentrate more on that area. The massage uses deeper and firmer pressure and you will, at times, find yourself wincing and biting your lip from crying out at the pressure but after the session, you do feel a difference and you’ll find your muscles aren’t as sore and stiff. This is the type of massage you’d usually get at those Chinese massage places in the malls. It’s perfect for when you’re suffering muscles aches and pains from doing an hour of Tae-Bo; when your shoulders are stiff from hunching over your computer all day; or when you’ve woken up with a crink in your neck.
Shiatsu
Think acupuncture without the needles. Shiatsu literally means finger pressure but, nowadays, the therapist can also utilise their palms, elbows and knees. Like acupuncture, it concentrates on applying pressure to specific points in your body along pathways called a ‘meridian’ to unblock the flow of energy or chi.
Thai Massage
This massage is not for the faint-hearted or for those who can’t reach their toes. I had this (unfortunate) experience when I booked for a massage in a Bangkok hotel and walked out of the session, frantically ensuring my limbs were still intact. This massage technique is more energetic and vigorous with the therapist moving parts of your body in opposite directions in yoga-style stretches.
*image from www.sxc.hu
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Comment by anonymous
Comment by charles
ZCars
Ponderous
If you are, it'd be great if you could recommend some good relaxation-swedish massage places.
I've been to a Thai massage here in Sydney and it was a lot tamer than your experience in BKK but yeah, they've shut down now so I'm out of options.
Charles.
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
My sister is a massage therapist and I always get the remedial massage. It hurts...I lay there wincing sometimes....and the following day I'm a bit sore but by day 2 I really feel the benefits.
I find the relaxation massage just nice for that hour that you're getting them. When they're over, my muscles are still sore.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by katyzzz
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Good post,
katyzzz
Comment by dementia
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Comment by Aimzster
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I don't know if they're still around but I remember the Australian College of Natural Therapies being very good. They're based in Glebe and they do other types of massages as well. They're cheaper as well as they use students - don't worry, not the first years or anything like that. Let me know how you go.
Comment by Aimzster
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That was the same with me re relaxation. I'd feel relaxed during the session but directly afterwards as soon as I've walked out on the street, I'd feel the stiffness again. I used to get REALLY sore after the Remedial massage - to the point that I felt like I was bruised and I couldn't sit with my back against a seat but I'm used to it now and I don't even feel the pain most of the time.
Comment by Aimzster
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You should definitely get them. I find after getting them I'm not as stressed out and my sleeps aren't as restless. But I wish someone had told me re different types of massages beforehand. I'd wasted so much money on relaxation massages!
Comment by Aimzster
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You're so lucky!! How much are they where you're from? Ours cost around $75 for an hour but the good thing is that some of us can include that in our private health fund for free. Still though...I remember when I went to the Philippines and they would cost something like AUD$10. Heaven!
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Comment by Lara M
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Good info, Aimzster.
Dementia -- you're so LUCKY! U gotta have one for Aimzster and I this weekend!
Comment by Aimzster
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Aromatherapy is something I've done only once. It's so expensive - about $100 for a session. How much do you pay?
Comment by charles
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Charles.
Comment by KylieW
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Thankfully the place I go to for my massages just does swedish massage.....do decisions to make!!
Kylie
Comment by Aimzster
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I wanted to laugh when she clambered all over my back and started gyrating her hips against my lower back. I guess I would have if it wasn't for the fact she had my neck twisted and my arms behind me in a very unnatural way that I wanted to cry.
Comment by Lara M
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Comment by Lilla
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Enviro Warrior
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Now you are talking my language.
This is the stuff that money is made for and my opinion?
Have them all, absolutely!
One each month... and every other thing that helps you relax...hmmm I'm going all mushy and dreamy just thinking about it... (mind you I'm on painkillers atm, so I was pretty mooshy to start with) *lol*
/seriously/ I go regularly and have my back, legs, shoulders and feet reflexology manipulated as often as I can afford it...and never look at the cost. It's a staple.
I had a Thai massage in India and..well, it was really special... I took up yoga after that.
Great Post...enjoy your day spa (Have you tried the salts and mud wrap yet? I haven't but thought I would, next time I go)...
Lilla
Comment by Catherine
Natural Animals
Great post Aimzster, I teach equine massage these days and it can be difficult when the students start out to realise there are so many types of massage.
Comment by Aimzster
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If I could, I would definitely get a massage each week. Everytime I finish an exercise, I always daydream of getting a massage. Unfortunately, my hubby's version of a massage is to pinch fat. I've tried the mud wraps. My skin feels really good afterwards but during the session, I couldn't help but feel really cold and I wished it would end. Maybe it was just that session though.
Hi Catherine,
Where do you go? The one I went to which charged me that much was $100 and that was in a day spa in Sydney.
Thanks for dropping by!
Comment by Anonymous
I go to a lady in Randwick, She just has a space at home , not as glamorous as going to a spa so I guess thats why not as expensive.
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I lived in the Philippines for 3 1/2 years and Manila was my occasional big city break..loved the shops and spas! Dementia was right about the massage prices; I got one every chance I could get while there (at the Manila Hyatt Regency)
Loved my time there ..the Philippines are beautiful islands.
Magandang hapon! (well, it's hapon here in Florida, anyway...)
Comment by Aimzster
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Magandang Umaga to you - well, it's morning here.
When did you live in Phils? I lived there until 11 before coming to Oz. You probably speak better Tagalog than me! Yeah, I miss the malls there so big you can get lost in them, not to mention the spas.
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Comment by Aimzster
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Randwick? Bummer. I was hoping it would be closer to my place - although Randwick is probably only half an hour away. I'm trying to look for more therapists who work for home as they're obviously cheaper but I haven't had much like around my area. I live in the Inner West - 'round Concord area.
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Oh yes, I tried balut! My Filipina friend got me to try it but was being discreet by hiding the embryo and just getting me to eat the white and broth (which were quite tasty, actually)--then another Filipina came up to see what we were doing and said, "Oh, you're missing the best part!" Crunch, crunch..she ate the embryo and I almost lost the broth. A few San Miguels later, I ate a whole one. Not bad.
I LOVE some Filipino food..salpicau, lumpia, chicken adobo, siopau, and the very very best--roast pig done the Filipino way. There is nothing to compare to it!
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Comment by D. Armenta
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