Therapeutic massage 101: An Skilled Information on Selecting the Proper One for You

Similar to clockwork, the second a therapeutic massage therapist poses the query, “What kind of massage are you looking for today?”, I’m full of doubt. Agency? Positive! But additionally enjoyable? Completely. However perhaps there are some knots or stiffness that must be addressed? Oh sure, that too. They are saying that no one is aware of your physique higher than you, and whereas that’s largely true, I do assume there are occasions when it’s useful to defer to an professional, particularly when it comes down to selecting between one thing like a Swedish versus deep tissue therapeutic massage. 

To assist us get a greater understanding of the advantages and variations between the 2 forms of massages, I tapped Erika Castro, a therapeutic massage therapist and educator at Hiatus, an award-winning Texas day spa. 

Featured picture from our interview with Sanetra Nere Longno by Michelle Nash.

Swedish vs. Therapeutic Therapeutic massage: What to Know

Throughout our dialog, the longtime practitioner famous the significance of therapeutic massage not only for the physique, however for the thoughts and central nervous system as properly. 

“Massage has a calming and relaxing effect on your body that signals safety and down-regulates our bodies out of the flight or flight sympathetic state most of us are in daily,” she says. “It also stimulates the release of serotonin and dopamine.” Castro shares that she’ll typically fall right into a extra relaxed state herself whereas performing a therapeutic massage.

Erika Castro

Masseuse and educator at Hiatus Day Spa, an award-winning Texas spa with places in Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio.

What to Know About Swedish Therapeutic massage

After we consider a therapeutic massage, Swedish is usually the primary one which involves thoughts. The texture-good therapy, a method that originated in Sweden within the 1830s, is among the most typical varieties obtainable and is thought for selling leisure, relieving stress, and rising blood circulation to the muscle tissues. Nonetheless, its big selection of advantages can typically be missed. 

“A big misconception about massages is that the deeper and more painful it is, the better it is for you,” Castro says. “This is not true.” 

One other false impression: Swedish massages gained’t handle knots or high-tension areas. Sure, it’s nice for therapeutic massage learners, however Castro provides that “even athletes can benefit from a Swedish massage to help with muscle recovery and soreness. Sometimes, when you are really sore, a Swedish massage is a great alternative to help tight, sore, or tender areas when deep tissue is too much for your body.” 

The 5 primary strokes of Swedish therapeutic massage—effleurage, friction, petrissage, vibration, and tapotement—are the constructing blocks for a number of different forms of therapeutic massage therapies.

What to Know About Therapeutic Therapeutic massage

Therapeutic or deep tissue massages present up on a spa menu below quite a lot of totally different names (at Hiatus, it’s known as “The Knockout”) however the objective is similar: to focus on a particular supply of ache, often utilizing strategies like myofascial launch, set off level remedy, and cupping. They transcend the momentary aid of extra feel-good therapeutic massage strategies like Swedish, addressing pressure deep inside the muscle tissues and facia. 

“Therapeutic massage isn’t just for athletes or people who work out a lot either,” Castro says. “It’s great for those with chronic issues or injury, discomfort from overuse of muscles or joints, and even for someone who desires more focused work.” 

However as Castro talked about, a deeper therapeutic massage doesn’t at all times equate to one of the best therapeutic massage. Typically, muscle tissues will even react in a method that primarily fights a therapeutic massage. That is known as muscle guarding. “A therapist should be watching and feeling for nonverbal cues that indicate maybe the body isn’t quite ready for this just yet and may need to lighten the pressure,” Castro notes. 

In the end, for those who’re searching for deep tissue or therapeutic therapeutic massage, be sure you hunt down a good therapist or spa, not only for their data on tips on how to ease sources of ache, however for the way to not deal with tight, tender muscle tissues. 

“What is important is how your massage therapist works with and listens to your body and tissue layers,” Castro says.

One other Soothing Therapeutic massage Possibility: Lymphatic

Castro can also be a fan of lymphatic therapeutic massage, a sort of feel-good therapy that encourages the drainage of lymph nodes and motion of lymph fluid all through the physique utilizing gentle stress. 

“Your lymphatic system helps get rid of things like waste and toxins that shouldn’t be hanging around in your body,” Castro says. “So if your lymph is sluggish, that can lead to things like bloating, inflammation, digestive issues, the feeling of your limbs being heavy, and skin issues to name a few.”

Along with its advantages, lymphatic therapeutic massage could be very enjoyable and mild and may be nice for post-surgery procedures. Nonetheless, there are a number of totally different sorts of lymphatic massages. For instance, Castro notes that Brazilian lymphatic drainage therapeutic massage is turning into an more and more in style choice, but it surely entails a bit extra stress than your typical lymphatic therapeutic massage. 

“This type has a goal of contouring the body, improving cellulite, and has more vigorous, rhythmic movements,” Castro says. “All lymphatic massage is not the same, so it’s always important to research, ask questions prior to your appointment, and see what style your massage therapist is trained in.” 

Why It’s Essential to Change Up Therapeutic massage Varieties

Common massages can really feel like a luxurious, however they permit the chance to expertise totally different strategies over time. Particularly with a therapist you belief, who can assist reply the everlasting therapeutic massage query: Swedish or deep tissue?

“It’s okay to get a deep tissue one month and then try a hot stone the next,” Castro says. “Besides Swedish and deep tissue, there are other great modalities like hot stone massage, lymphatic massage, LomiLomi, shiatsu, and Thai massage just to name a few. Listening to your body is always the way to go and having a good massage therapist who can help guide you, listen to your needs, and recommend the best massage for you based on how you’re feeling that day.”