I’ve been fortune enough to experience different types of massage therapy. When you have a massage session, utilize the many amenities the spa has to offer. I would recommend using the steam shower and quiet room to meditate. A massage can help with mental health and wellness. We must take care of all aspects of our body, inside and out.
A Swedish massage is a gentle full-body massage, great for people who are new to massage. Swedish massage will release tension and desire a gentle touch. It can help release muscle knots and is a good choice for a full relaxation during a massage. A Swedish massage therapist will use a combination of kneading, long flowing strokes in the direction of the heart, deep circular motions, vibration and tapping passive joint movement techniques. Swedish massage has both light to medium pressure in all parts of your body (massage therapist should ask which areas you want them to focus on, if they don’t, voice your needs). * Great intro massage.
A Deep Tissue massage uses more pressure than a Swedish massage. It’s a good option if you have muscle problems, such as: soreness, injury, imbalance, tightness, chronic muscle pain. Deep tissue massage focus on areas of your body that have knots in harder to reach places (should not be painful). Deep tissue massage is used to make your muscles malleable.
A Hydro massage combines hydro-therapy as well as massage that uses light to firm pressure. Other great parts of this massage included exfoliation and hydration to your body. * A gentle intro to massage.
Shiatsu massage uses acupressure while massaging and stretching your body. This is great after long drives and or same-position situations. A Shiatsu massage is best for people who want to feel relaxed and relieve stress, pain, and tension. It’s a massage that promotes emotional and physical calm and relaxation. This helps relieve pain, may relieve headache, reduces muscle tension, improves sleep and fatigue and may improve mood.
Thai massage is best for people who want a more active form of massage and want to reduce and relieve pain and stress. This massage will help improve flexibility, circulation and energy levels. Thai massage works the entire body using a sequence of movements that are similar to yogic stretching. Your therapist will use their palms and fingers to apply firm pressure to your body. You can be stretched and twisted into various positions, should not be painful.
Massage Tools
There are many massage/therapy guns and massage tools on the market. I enjoy a good massage and naturally had to try a few types of massage tools. My nighttime massage routine consists of a 5-10-minute body massage with a tool. I recently added a massage gun to my regimen. I went ahead and chose a massage gun that offers more percussion to relax my muscle faster, in a shorter period of time. I also wanted my massage gun to be as portable as possible and still pack a punch.
*Be sure to not use massage tools on a known injury. If you are positive soreness is from a workout - use tools but do not over-use the tool. Use in moderation and follow the instructions given with all tools.
The massage gun I purchased has many attachments that allow different types of massages. You can attach: a cone-shape for trigger point massage which can help break up scar tissue, a damper attachment used for tender/sensitive areas or bony areas in your body, a thumb attachment that is supposed to mimic an actual thumb. I use this attachment for my forearm as well as my shoulders and feet. A scraping attachment works similar to Gua Sha but with vibration.
Massage Tools (manual tool)
I regularly use a body specific Gua Sha tool for nighttime daily maintenance. Gua Sha can be used to relax nerves and release fascia. It is essentially used to help drain your lymph nodes. There are specific ways to use Gua Sha. You must work with the flow of your circulation system (see diagram).
When choosing a manual tool (Gua Sha or other massage tools) be sure to try out the tool in person, if possible. If in person is not available to you, research as much as you can online to make sure the tool is indeed the one you need. I look for smooth narrow sharp edges (see picture). The Gua Sha I have chosen is made of Bian stone. This Gua Sha tool, as well as wooden and stainless steel massager, I use for a body massage. All tools serve a different purpose depending on my needs during my nighttime routine.
I use the Bain stone Gua Sha for daily use. This tool has a medium weight which is great for multiple areas of your body that require different pressure applied. This tool has different edges which allow you to focus on many parts of your body.
*Be sure to regularly check your tools for cracks or jagged edges, especially if you have dropped your tool. The last thing you need is an abrasion on your skin with your tool. CLEAN YOUR GUA SHA/TOOL REGULARLY, SOAP AND WARM WATER WORK.
The wooden Gua Sha is light weight and skims the surface of your skin but still feel a difference. The wooden Gua Sha requires a little more pressure if you enjoy and deeper scrap. I use this tool to press in body oils/serums into my skin.
*Be sure to regularly check your tools for cracks or jagged edges, especially if you have dropped your tool. The last thing you need is an abrasion on your skin with your tool.
The stainless steel massage tool is heaviest and works best for the larger muscle groups. I use the stainless steel tool for all parts of my body (from the neck down), but it works best for larger muscles. One con about my stainless steel tool is it gets slippery. You have to provide a slip with a moisturizer, and you will need gloves for this tool. Body oils / body serums work best, when using chosen tool.
*Be sure to regularly check your tools for cracks or jagged edges, especially if you have dropped your tool. The last thing you need is an abrasion on your skin with your tool. CLEAN YOUR GUA SHA/TOOL REGULARLY, SOAP AND WARM WATER WORK.
Remember, be gentle with yourself. Your skin needs to be cared for and you don't always have to use abrasive techniques to see/feel results in your skin. As always, please leave a message for more information or to add your tips. Thanks for reading! Have a beautiful day!
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