Swedish Massage (relaxation) is a gentle, full-body relaxation technique using long strokes, kneading, friction, tapping, and vibration to improve circulation, relieve muscle tension, and promote overall well-being, making it ideal for stress relief, flexibility, and easing everyday aches through its calming effect on the nervous system. Therapists use oil or lotion and work the entire body, keeping clients modestly draped, only uncovering the area being massaged. 

 

Therapeutic massage (deep tissue) is a type of massage used to treat specific health issues, like chronic pain, muscle injuries, or stress, by manipulating soft tissues to restore function and improve overall well-being. Unlike a relaxation massage, its primary goal is healing and rehabilitation, which is achieved through techniques like deep tissue massage, myofascial release, or trigger point therapy.

 

Trigger point therapy massage is a treatment that uses firm, targeted pressure on tight muscle knots, or "trigger points," to release tension and reduce pain. Therapists apply pressure with their fingers, elbows, or other tools for 30 to 90 seconds at a time, often asking the client to communicate their pain level. The goal is to help break up the knots, relieve pain, and improve flexibility and blood circulation.

 

Myofascial massage, or myofascial release (MFR), is a specialized manual therapy that targets the body's connective tissue (fascia) to relieve pain, improve mobility, and restore function, unlike traditional massage that focuses on muscles. Therapists use gentle, sustained pressure, often with hands, elbows, or tools, to release restrictions in the fascia caused by injury, inflammation, or poor posture, helping to smooth out tight, rope-like bands and improve movement.

 

Gua sha is an ancient Chinese healing technique using a smooth-edged tool to scrape the skin, which aims to improve circulation, reduce inflammation, relieve muscle tension, and promote lymphatic drainage, leading to benefits like pain relief (neck, back), reduced puffiness (face), and a more radiant complexion by boosting blood flow and cell turnover. 

 

Massage cupping uses suction cups (glass, plastic, silicone) applied to the skin to create a vacuum, lifting tissue to boost blood flow, relieve muscle pain/tension, reduce inflammation, and aid recovery, often leaving temporary circular bruises from increased circulation

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