Once considered a luxurious service offered to pamper persons of considerable means, massages are now the go-to method of relaxation for just about everyone. With the proliferation of day spas all over the island, many of which have added mobile spa services to their menu of offerings, relaxation and rejuvenation can now quite literally, be a phone call away. Clients can choose from an extensive list which often includes Swedish, Deep Tissue, Aromatherapy, Hot Stone, Shiatsu, Thai, Reflexology, Prenatal, and Sports Massage. Each type employs slight variations in technique, with some having their roots in a fusion of Oriental medicine, Arabic remedies and Swedish physiotherapy.
Did you know: The word ‘massage’ comes from the Arabic word ‘mass” meaning ‘to touch’ and theGreek word ‘massein’ which means ‘to knead’?
Buzzz Magazine highlights four popular types of massage offered at a spa near you:
Swedish Massage is the most common and luxurious of its counterparts, as its main purpose is to relax the body and mind. Done rhythmically at a moderate to slow pace, using light to medium pressure it incorporates kneading of the muscles with percussion of deep tissue.
When base massage oils are combined with sweet smelling essential oils such as lavender, vanilla, jasmine and others, it is known as aromatherapy. For scent lovers, it is the nirvana of relaxation!
Swedish massage when done by a properly trained and licensed massage therapist, is known to reduce physical and mental stress, reduce or eliminate aches and pains, improve mood, and promote good circulation throughout the body.
Sports Massage is the physical therapy of choice for persons who lead very active lifestyles, namely, athletes. With the Olympics just concluded, and Jamaica bringing home quite the medal haul, one can attribute this in part to the athletes bodies being conditioned to be in peak shape, through regular sports massage. The movements used in sports massage often incorporate more pressure than a Swedish massage and is heavily concentrated on the areas where muscles are overused and thus prone to repetitive injuries. Incorporating deep tissue techniques, it focuses on the deepest layers of muscles in order to target knots and alleviate chronic muscle tension and spasms.
Needless to say, the benefits of sports massage by a trained physiotherapist, include increased flexibility and range of motion, pain management. It reduces fatigue, increases endurance, and promotes healing of injured tissue; thus helping the athlete to perform at optimal capacity.
Prenatal Massage has been growing in popularity in recent times, as more expectant mothers are being exposed to alternative therapies and techniques to ensure a happy and healthy pregnancy and safe delivery. The massage therapist employs a mild pressure to the recipient and takes greater care in particular zones of the body which may be sensitive due to the condition of the mom to be. There may thus be specific contraindications for some women who may have certain conditions during the pregnancy, and thus prenatal massage should be used under the supervision of a primary care physician.
Once adequate caution has been applied, prenatal massage is a wonderful way to reduce the stress and discomforts associated with pregnancy, reduce swelling, improve circulation and mobility, and promote overall wellness in the mother and child (or children if we hit the twin jackpot)!
Hot Stone Massage is as relaxing as it is healing, and like the name suggests, incorporates the use of smooth water heated stones placed on the major zones of the body, such as the spine. Therapists massage the recipient with the heated stones, which promote healing and relaxation from the warmth and soothing texture of the stones. Offered by many day spas as a premium service, a hot stone massage is often considered the ultimate in indulgence and comfort.
Benefits of a hot stone massage include reduced muscle stiffness and tension, increased circulation and metabolism, and a general feeling of wellbeing as the warmth of the stones virtually melt away the tension and strain of the day.
Massage therapists should be well trained and licensed to prevent any complications during or after the massage treatment. This is a must for the massage therapists at Bella Day Spa, located at 3B Haughton Avenue, Kingston 10.
This article originally appeared in Vol.8 #8, 2016 Issue.