Determine What Massage Works for You

4 Parts:

Types of massage

What is TMJ and TMD?

What are the four types of sports massages?

Comments

Massage is a form of alternative therapy which originates from the ancient civilizations. Today, it is considered as an important supplement to traditional medicine to enhance the overall fitness of a person. Different types of massage techniques have variations in touch pressure, technique, areas of the body focused on, and desired outcome. These techniques can also be combined for maximum benefit.

1. 1
   Swedish

   .

   It is the most popular therapeutic massage in the world.

   

   If you want your stress to be alleviated, your mood freshened up, your pain experience reduced, and feel relaxed, this is the massage for you. You get to choose from light to medium pressure for the application of this technique from your therapist.

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
2. 2
   Reflexology

   .

   Application of pressure to areas of the hands and the feet which are called reflex zones.

   

   This therapy reduces stress and encourages overall relaxation but the reflex zones are said to be connected to other body parts which will be healed or will have reduced pain when the specific reflex zone is applied pressure to. There are target spots in the hands and the feet which are directly linked to ailing or sickly body parts.

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
3. 3
   Hot Stone massage

   .

   There are people who have tension in their muscles but would want a light massage.

   

   This therapy entails the placing of heated smooth stones on target points in the body to loosen tight muscles. These stones, when placed in the right places, also balance energy centers in the body. Or the client would prefer that the massage therapist would hold the stones and place them on target spots to create gentle pressure and produce comforting warmth on the client's body.

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
4. 4
   Deep tissue massage

   .

   Unlike traditional massage wherein the goal is to provide relaxation to the client, deep tissue massage strives to deliver the person seeking this alternative therapy relief from chronic pain to tense and contracted areas such as low back tightness, sore shoulders, and stiff neck. During this massage, the movement of the therapist is slower, the pressure is deeper and harder, and is concentrated on tense and painful areas. When done effectively, deep tissue massage will break down adhesions (bands of painful, stiff tissue) in tendons, ligaments, and muscles.

   

   Adhesions can make life uncomfortable for a person because they block blood circulation, cause inflammation, pain, and limited movement. A deep tissue massage will hurt at some point and you have the right to tell your therapist to stop or to lessen the pressure or to stop touching a certain part. Your therapist should be aware of your pain threshold. After the session, the client will feel some soreness for not more than one day. Consumer Reports magazine, in a study, indicated that 34,000 people ranked deep tissue massage as the number one remedy for osteoarthritis pain. It outranked exercise, physical therapy, chiropractic medicine, diet, acupuncture, glucosamine, prescription drugs, and over the counter drugs. Deep tissue massage also received an excellent ranking for relieving fibromyalgia pain.

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
5. 5
   Cranial Sacral Therapy

   .

   

   A gentle massage technique which targets the head bones, the spinal column, and the sacrum. When done properly, it gives soothing relief for a lot of aches: pains of the head, back, neck, and the joint of the jaw (or TMJ, acronym for temporomandibular joint). The flow of cerebrospinal fluid will be smoother and a number of ailments will be cured with the gentle pressure on the spine, head, and pelvis which is typical of this kind of therapy.

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
6. 6
   Aromatherapy

   .

   In doing this, the therapist uses two or more scented essential oils that address the need of the client.

   

   Among the common needs are relaxation, energy boost, stress reduction and balancing. The therapist can suggest and work with the client with regards to the combination of oils to be used. Almost always, one of the component oils used in the mix is lavender.

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help
7. 7
   Sports massage

   .

   This is a therapy specifically geared towards athletes when they have injuries or when they simply want some pressure on specific sore parts of the body such as the knee or the shoulder.

   

   When applied correctly, this therapy enhances and improves the performance of the athlete in his excelled sport. But this therapy is also excellent for non-athletes who suffer from constricted range of motion, chronic pain, and also injuries. This is because it breaks down adhesions or knots in muscles, improves circulation of blood and the lymph fluids.

   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help

The lower jaw or mandible is connected to the temporal bone of the skull by a hinge joint called the TMJ or temporomandibular joint.

This is a flexible joint which allows for the smooth up and down and side to side movement of the jaw. It allows you to talk, chew, and yawn with the muscles attached and surrounding this jaw joint controlling the jaw position and movement.

TMD means temporomandibular disorders which happen as a result of problems with the jaw, the jaw joint, and the facial muscles which surround this area and control jaw movement. Stress, which tightens the jaw area, and grinding/clenching of teeth are among the causes of TMD.

Cranial Sacral massage therapy are among the many alternative remedies suggested to alleviate TMD.

1. 1
   Pre-event sports massage

   .

   Done 15 to 45 minutes before the event, it targets the focus part or parts of the body that will exert much effort during the event.
   Was this step helpful? Yes | No| I need help