Ever thought about getting a massage, but a long list of massages is confusing your mind? Then you are no different than any other person who plans to get a massage on a regular day. So let’s solve this confusion once and forever. When you visit a spa website, you’ll find plenty of massages that include some classic and fancy names. You may be familiar with the names Thai massage and Swedish massage.
Research conducted in 2016 states that massage techniques can be used to cure chronic pain in the long term.
Let’s dive right into these classic massage types and explore how they benefit your health. Read this blog to know what makes them different from each other and which one is right for you.
What is Thai Massage?
Thai massage is an ancient healing technique that originated in India and dates back roughly five to seven thousand years. It is also known as lazy yoga massage. The massage mainly focuses on using pressure and gentle stretching of the body. And it does not involve using oils or lotions for massage.
In this blog, we will discuss the comparison of Thai and Swedish massage.
Benefits of Thai Massage
Thai massage has numerous benefits, just like other oiled massages. From relieving stress to making you feel better. We will discuss a list of benefits of Thai Massage:
1.Lowers stress
Thai massage works with long and rubbing strokes and dry compression of muscles and joints. It relieves your muscle’s tension and stiffness, helping with an increased range of motion and movements.
2.Increases energy
Thai massage is specifically known for its work on energy lines. Following the right methodology helps you increase energy flow in your body. A person achieves the right balance of energy, improved focus, and profound sleep.
3.Improve range of motion
Passive stretching and compression in the Thai Massage increase the range of motions of stiff muscles and relieve stress.
4.Stimulate blood circulation
Thai massage stimulates increased blood flow in the areas where you have muscle stiffness and discomfort. Blood circulation warms up the muscles and relieves the pain.
Thai Massage Techniques
Here are the massage techniques used for muscles and joints
What is Swedish Massage
One of the most common types of massage you can have anywhere in the world. It provides a wholesome massage experience. It is performed using different oils to relax the muscles and improve overall body health. It provides a soft massage experience that includes kneading, tapping, and vibration using hands or knuckles. If you are looking for short-term relaxation therapy, then Swedish massage is recommended.
Massage uses different natural oils or lotions to soothe the skin and avoid friction.
Benefits of Swedish Massage
Swedish massage is an effective massage type that relieves pains or tightness by working on the joints. It promotes blood flow and relaxes the muscles. Masseuse focuses on increasing blood flow in the body where pain or tightness resides. Swedish massage is also beneficial for your cardiovascular health.
Muscles and body relaxation lead to an energized body and a happier mood. Also, reducing the symptoms of stress and anxiety that are caused by fatigue. Massages also contribute to improving your immunity against common diseases like cold or flu.
1.Nerve stimulation
Swedish massage applies pressure on different parts of the body to stimulate nerves located in the body. Nerve stimulation can help reduce pain and discomfort symptoms.
2.Stress reliever
Swedish massage is a great stress reliever. It starts by warming up the muscles and breaks the tension that keeps the muscles stressed. It can solve mild muscle adhesion. But if you are experiencing a severe type of adhesion, try other intensive types of massages.
3.Improves body flexibility
Massage helps in relaxing stiff muscles and joints. It also improves your body’s flexibility through an increased range of motion. Flexible muscles allow you to perform stretching exercises beyond your limits.
Swedish Massage Techniques
Here are the massage techniques used in Swedish Massage
1.Effleurage Technique:
Effleurage massage is one of the most commonly used techniques in Swedish massage. This technique focuses on the light massage directed from the end of a limb towards the direction of your heart. It can be done with a slight force to create friction. It is suitable to relieve pain in the neck, arms, legs, and back.
2.Petrissage Technique:
In the Petrissage technique, the masseuse utilizes the thumb and palm of the hand to exert pressure on the tissues of the body. It helps relieve muscle spasms and knots that cause pain in the muscles. The Petrissage technique can be done in several movements like kneading and round and long slow strokes.
3.Tapotement Technique:
The Tapotement technique is basically taping the body using fingertips, palms, or the edge of the hand. It is quite helpful to increase blood circulation in the designated body part and decongest the nerves.
4.Friction Technique:
As the name suggests, this massage technique utilizes friction to facilitate the muscles and tissues. Friction is caused by rubbing hands over muscles. It helps break the adhesion between tissues, which solves the muscle’s stiffness and cramps.
5.Vibration Technique:
The vibration technique is a favourite of most people who have regular massages. In this technique, the masseuse creates vibrations in the large muscle groups of the body. It results in improved blood flow to the muscles. You’ll feel lighter than ever after experiencing the vibration technique in Swedish massage.
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Recommendation/Conclusion
Now that you know what and how these massage work. Deciding which one to get totally depends on what your body needs. If you want to experience a soft, relaxing massage, then go for the Swedish massage. It uses infused oils that help relax your joints and muscles. Be sure to get massage services from licensed practitioners and a highly reputed spa.
But if you want to relieve a specific muscle group where you are facing discomfort or stiffness. Then getting a Thai Massage is your best bet. Thai massage use dry compression and stretching technique for your body. It helps your body achieve an increased range of motion, joint movements, and relaxed muscles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the 4 types of massage?
Answer: Here are the 4 common types of massage:
Swedish massage, Deep tissue massage, Sports massage, and Aromatherapy massage.
Q: What does a Swedish full-body massage include?
Answer: Swedish full-body massage includes the neck, arms, hands, feet, legs, back, and buttock muscles. It normally involves soft and kneading strokes to relieve the muscles.
Q: What does a Thai Massage do?
Answer: It involves stretching and compression of muscles and joints. Thai massage does not use any oil or lotions.
Q: Is Thai massage better than deep tissue massage?
Answer: Thai massage works with long and rubbing strokes to relieve stress, but Deep tissue massage is better for improved muscles and joint movements.