5 Different Types of Massage Therapies - Which One is the Right for You

Different massage therapies focus on different parts of the body and give healing and relief benefits. Massage therapists use the movements of kneading and rubbing to apply soft pressure on a body’s joints and muscles. The pressure is kept gentle yet strong to ease the tension developed in the muscles and joints. Depending upon the different healing benefits and geographic locations, different types of massage therapies are there. So, before visiting a massage therapy center you must know all or at least some major types of massage therapies in Vancouver if you are a resident of Vancouver

1- Swedish Massage

A Swedish massage is among the gentle massage therapies. It is mostly given to those people who are taking massage therapy for the first time or are sensitive to pressure and touch. A Swedish massage works excellently in getting rid of muscle knots and relaxing oneself. A combination of long strokes and tapping techniques are used in this massage therapy Vancouver.

2- Hot Stone Massage

A Hot Stone massage works wonders on those who are suffering from immense physical pain. It is a bit similar to Swedish massage but in this case, heated stones are used by therapists other than kneading and rubbing movements of the hand. A Hot Stone massage eases the tension of the muscles, alleviates pain, improves blood flow, and relieves stress. Heated stones are used in this massage and are placed on various parts of the body and gentle pressure is also applied there to deliver the best possible results.

3- Aromatherapy Massage

If you want more therapeutic and psychological healing rather than a physical one, then give Aromatherapy massage therapy in Vancouver a try. It helps to give a boost to one’s mood, treat depression, relieve pain, and the tension of muscles as well. Various types of essential oils are also used in this type of massage and are applied on the skin so the skin can absorb them. This massage mostly focuses on the shoulders, back, and head.

4- Deep Tissue Massage

As the name explains, this massage focuses on the tissues of the body and gives a soothing effect that reaches the body on a deeper level. This massage involves some deep pressure on the various parts of the body and is a much more strong type of massage than the Swedish massage.

5- Sports Massage

A sports massage is mainly for people who are in sports and are athletes. It works best for those individuals who have suffered from a sports injury and are suffering from its after-effects. A sports massage also enhances the flexibility of a body and improves performance as well. Sometimes, this massage therapy in Vancouver focuses on selected parts of a body, however, sometimes, it is given as a full body massage.

Do try a massage therapy in Vancouver but choose wisely before booking your appointment with a massage therapist.

5 Medical Benefits of Getting Yourself a Body Massage

Imagine yourself lying in a relaxing environment with soft music playing around you. A peaceful environment and a warm aura can make a person feel relaxed yet it is not just enough. This is why people use massage therapies to relax and soothe their minds and bodies. Spa and body massage in Vancouver not only offer a relaxing experience but they have many other medical benefits as well. Massage therapies go way back to the earliest times when touching was used in various ways and techniques to soothe certain parts of the body. These techniques did not only soothe but also used to heal. Thus, over time this method was used to heal injuries, reduce stress, and cure certain types of illnesses. Below are some benefits of treating yourself with a spa and body massage in Vancouver. 

1- Refreshes the Skin

It is very rare to see people who have glowing and fresh skin nowadays. With our busy and hectic routine, people give very less time to their health which has resulted in a dull and worn out facial skin. A massage therapy refreshes the skin and rejuvenates it as massage improves blood flow and peels off-dry and dull skin cells as well. 

2- Relaxes the Nervous System

Tension and pain make the muscles and nerves contract and uptight. A massage therapy relives such contracted muscles that relieve the nervous system. During a massage, certain hormones start producing which reduces the level of stress and lets you feel relaxed. Your body starts reacting positively and loses all of its tension. 

3- Makes Your Heart Healthy

Another benefit of getting a good spa and body massage Vancouver is that these massage therapies make the heart stronger. This becomes possible due to the increased supply of oxygen to the heart when a person is getting a massage. Vasodilation is produced during the massage which increases the flow of blood and oxygen to all the organs of the body especially the heart. 

4- Improves Digestion

The improvement in the digestive system is also seen because of massage therapy. Stress can badly affect the digestive system of a body, therefore, a spa and body massage can bring a positive impact on the digestive organs and keep them healthy and working properly. The levels of saliva and other digestive juices increase because of a full body massage and the overall performance of the digestive system is also increased. 

5- Improves Breathing

Massage therapy can also bring improvement in breathing. Breathing is one of the first things that get affected because of stress and getting a spa and body massage in Vancouver is a good road to stress reduction and will bring visible improvements in your breathing levels especially if you face such problems often. 

The medical benefits of getting a massage are so much more than the ones that are mentioned above. Get a massage and see all these positive impacts on your body yourself.     

Improve the state of your mind and body with the best Thai massage offered in Vancouver, WA

A Thai massage is a massage technique that uses gentle pressure and stretching methods to relax the whole body. This ancient healing practice actually originated from India, with a history of over 2500-7000 years back. 

Unlike the techniques used by masseuses in the west, a traditional Thai massage practitioner in Vancouver opt towards a very different method. Unlike Swedish massage or Shiatsu massage methods, in which a person lies on the bed passively, a person getting the Thai massage treatment lies on the floor and actively participates in the massage process. 

Many people hold the belief that Thai massage provides many benefits including stress control, energy-boosting, and improved athletic performance. 

So if we discuss some benefits in detail, they are:

It helps in relieving stress

Usually, a little stress isn’t bad. It works as a motivator that pushes people to get things done, perform better, and accomplish more in their life. But too much stress can have a really negative effect on mental and physical health. Chronic stress or long-lasting stress tends to lead to serious illnesses such as depression and cardiovascular diseases.

But the Thai massage techniques that involve applying gentle pressure and stretching techniques help relax the body. The Thai wellness center claims that this massage technique significantly reduces stress markers in our bodies. Simply resting will not bring the same results as actively participating in this massage technique will. 

It boosts your energy 

Research shows that the Thai massages performed at Asian spas in Vancouver resulted in significantly increasing people’s energy levels. The tests were made to make a comparison between Thai massage and Swedish massage in people who experienced fatigue. Results showed that Thai massage increased the energy levels and mental stimulations in people, while Swedish massage improved their relaxed state and sleep. 

The theory is that traditional Thai massage technique is based on the notion of energy lines in the body. These energy lines correspond with different parts of the body, such as bones, muscles, nerves, including mind and consciousness. They suggest that tight and bunched up muscles cause blockage between the energy lines, which hence, reduce the flow of energy in the body. It results in stiffness, pain, and other illnesses. Traditional Thai massage opens and relaxed the energy lines so that it can flow more freely. 

Relieves headaches 

It has been noted that the best Thai massages also resulted in people relieving their chronic headaches or migraines. It is all part of the energy flow theory, that results in the relief of many bodily malfunctions like a headache. 

Stimulates circulation 

A Thai massage also promotes blood and lymph circulation in the body through gentle stretches during the procedure. The yoga-like stretch techniques increase blood circulation, which fills the body’s tissues with oxygen and helps promote cell growth and heart health.  

Improved range of motion 

The Thai wellness center based in Vancouver claims that the yoga-like stretches are done to reduce stress and improve our blood circulation. The gradual and gentle stretching tends to enhance a person’s flexibility over time, which then allows a greater range of motion. 

It also improves the circulation of fluid in the joints, or the synovial fluid, which plays a role in reducing friction between the joints. Hence, it can result in improves joint mobility as well. 

Thai massage for athletes

Athletes are generally prone to muscle and joint pains, fatigue, and injury during their training. Which is why many athletes take regular sessions of massage. Sports massage involves stretches and other several massage techniques to treat sport injures and improve range of motion. Thai massage provides exactly that. 

Traditional Thai massage gradually stretches the whole body. It allows the person to get relaxed. The dynamic stretches during it offer deeper and more restorative stretches than the techniques used during a sports massage. 

Elegance Massage

The elegance massage center based in Vancouver offers walk-in massage services. You can get the best Thai massage from there, along with other options such as Spa treatment, Swedish massage, Asian touch massage, deep muscle massage, and many more. If you are looking for an energized state of mind and body after a rough week or month, Thai massage is just for you. 

The Popular Asian Massages

There always has been a debate about when and where the massage was first introduced. To date, there is no concise answer to this, however, it is commonly believed that Asian massages Vancouver are the most popular and widely practiced massages. Asian massage Vancouver has its own client-base and is quite popular. 

Background of Asian Massage

Any massage therapy that has been originated from Asia is known as Asian massage. Asia is considered the largest and most populated continent among all other continents. Having almost 60 percent of the world’s population. It is the region with rich culture, history, and lots of diversity. 

People usually limit the Asian continent to only India, China, Japan, and Thailand, underestimating its diversity of having nations as different as Russia and Saudi Arabia. However, the massage is almost the same and the therapeutic massages of India, Japan, and China are among the most popular styles. 

Japanese Massage

One of the most popular Japanese massages is Shiatsu, which was created in almost the 20th century. The soft parts of the fingertips and palms are used to deliver the massage therapy. After a world recognition, the health ministry of Japan has recognized Shiatsu massages as a treatment to have a healthy body. 

It must be performed by trained massage therapists. Sometimes hands are used, whereas, there are also electric handheld Massagers that can be easily found in a market. The right amount of pressure is applied to don the body through molded rubber nodules. Even if the electric Massagers are used, the user must be trained first on how to use the massage devices. 

Thai Massage

Full body massage Vancouver can be a quite relaxing experience. Even the massage may be named Thai, but fewer people know that it was introduced by a Northern Indian doctor. According to the history of the massage, it was created in the times of Buddha, around 2500 years ago. Full body massage Vancouver is known as “stress relievers”.

Now there are many forms of Thai massage, but the two main distinctions are the ‘dry’ Thai massage and ‘wet’ Thai massage. The dry Thai massage is performed without using oil and the client is usually allowed to wear loose-fit clothes. This massage involves a lot of bending and stretching as well as some extreme positions. Due to the extreme movements, there might be lots of cracking and popping sounds of the body. 

In wet Thai massage, oil is used for the massage. It is kind of a Swedish massage with some Thai and Yoga stretching techniques. 

Chinese Massage

The Chinese massage technique is one of the oldest massages, that has existed for over 40,000 years. This Asian massage Vancouver usually has two different types, Tui na and Zhi YA. Tui na massage technique includes kneading, pushing and pulling, and is much like the classic and deep tissue massage. Whereas Zhi YA massage use pressing and pinching movements, and similar to reflexology and Shiatsu massage. 

Foot Massage

In the last 50 years, reflexology has gained much popularity in the western world. However, in Asian, massaging the feet has been practiced for thousands of years, even as a daily care routine. Instead of full body massage Vancouver, people of India can be seen massaging their own feet while sitting on the side of the road or in their lounge. 

There are various types of foot massages found in Asia but they usually work the same as reflexology. Feet has many distinct zones that correspond to different organs. The right amount of pressure on these zones can clean vital energy blockages in the corresponding organs. After clearing the blockage, organs work better and people feel healthier. 

Indonesian Massage

Indonesian massage consists of two popular massages, known as Javanese massage and Balinese massage. In Javanese massage, the whole hand, including knuckles is used in a string and vigorous therapy. This Asian massage Vancouver is used to treat injuries, muscle, and joint pain. 

In contrast to this, Balinese massage uses essential oils and light yoga stretching. It is based on kneading and rolling techniques for a relaxing experience. Usually, people who come for a honeymoon, prefer this kind of massage.

Have a break from tough routine and relax with a nice body massage Vancouver

 

The relaxation of the entire body – soft music, low light, a feeling of calm, it is the relaxation fantasy everyone has. But most don't know that your body is fully activated during a massage, even though you may be in a state of complete relaxation. A massage stimulates your nervous system, boosts muscles, organ, and glands transfer blood and lymphatic fluid and produce and releases chemicals and hormones in a multitude of cells. So here we will discuss some major benefits of a good body massage Vancouver.

Skin refresh

The mild friction between your hands and the massage and oil causes gentle exfoliation, which enables fresh skin cells to appear. When the experts in massage center Vancouver work their magic on your body, the massage increases the blood flow under the skin causing it to glow from with-in and appear moisturized and fresh.   

Nervous system relaxation

The nervous system is configured into a 'rest and digest' mode as you relax. When you have pain and discomfort regions in your body, they may be the consequence of tight muscle pressure on your nerves, which can be relieved by the body massage Vancouver. A healthy nervous system regulates the development of hormones. Stress hormones like corticosteroids (LDL) decrease as hormones like endorphins also known as the "feel good" hormones increase. Sleep/wake cycle regulating hormones, menstrual cycles, immune cells, sugar in the blood, and even the amount of food you at, react positively to a relaxation accompanied by a complete body massage.

Musculoskeletal benefits

Your muscles are like sponges – when they contract, blood and lymph fluids shrink and fresh blood enters, bringing fresh nutrition, oxygen, and immune cells into that region. The increase in blood flow also speeds up the removal of lactic acid and other products of muscle metabolism that contribute to cramps, sore muscles, and DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) in the body. At the massage center Vancouver, your massage therapist can also incorporate stretching into the range of emotions that are put into the massage routine that can mobilize your muscles and place beneficial stress on muscles, ligaments, and tendons.

Lymphatic detox

The lymphatic system is crucial to balance the fluid and the function of your immune system. Lymphatic vessels complement blood vessels in the body and large groups of lymph nodes are found in the neck, armpits, and groin. When your massage therapist works on muscle and tissue flushing, they also drain the lymph system, with dead cells and waste products and potential pathogens filtered from the lymph nodes. Slow lymph circulation contributes to the retention of fluid, and drainage in certain parts of the body can reduce edema.

Elegance Massage

Elegance Massage center aims to provide the best and most relaxing experience to people who are tired of their daily life routines, stressed, and just want a break. These people need time to themselves and it helps them a lot when they experience a relaxing full body massage through the experts at Elegance Massage Center. 

How Neck Massage Can be Helpful in Day to Day Activities

 There is no shame in getting a massage treatment. There are several reasons why you should book at the massage parlor Vancouver. There are several physicals, emotional and mental benefits as it is a relaxing therapy.

We often experience body stress due to driving, using a computer, writing, or other daily activities. During work, shoulders may tighten up. When pressure is applied to the soft tissues around the neck, shoulder, and on the back, the muscular tension and stress are reduced.

Here are some of the benefits of getting a neck and shoulder massage from massage parlor Vancouver:

1. Less Muscle Soreness

Oxygen and blood flow in the body improved when the sore parts of the body are massaged. It can be a kind of natural pain killer. Stiffness in the muscles is due to the lactic acid built up in the body, which with massage the motion and pressure will reduce.

2. Treat Migraine

The migraine or head pain can be treated naturally with massages, without any side effects. Muscle spasms are relived and the blood circulation in the body is improved with massage, which in return reduces the pressure in the head. A study shows that neck and shoulder massage treatment has been quite beneficial for migraine patients as there has been a visible reduction in head pain.

3. Low Stress and Anxiety

Other than the physical benefits, the mood is also elevated through massages. Anxiety usually resides in the shoulder, neck, and back. When the body feels relaxed, the nervous system is also relaxed. The massage also lowers the heart rate as well as breathing, bringing the body in realign. Some of the leading companies like Google offer employees regular massage treatment. The benefit of it is that employees feel relaxed and stress-free and their job satisfaction increases.

4. Strong Immune System

In a study, it has been proven that getting to neck massage Vancouver in a week increases the white blood cells and lymphocytes, helping the body to fight against illnesses and infections.

The Right Timing to Get a Massage

The neck pain can be relieved if it is done for an accurate time by professional therapists. Generally, having a one-hour session two or three times a week can have exceptional results. Instead of 30 minutes, a 60 minutes massage multiple times in the first four weeks is ideal.

As per a study, having massage three times a week can produce five times better results and better functionality than having twice a week.

Self-Massage for Neck Pain

You are most likely to neck pain due to bad posture while sleeping, using too much computer, reading in bed, or any other reason. It is better to use neck support in such a situation. However, if you are suffering from a tight and painful neck, the first step before going to a professional is to go for a therapeutic self-massage technique.

Here are the easy steps that you must follow to treat your neck pain:

1. Straighten your neck and back and lower your shoulders, far from ears.

2. Identify the exact point of pain on your neck and firmly massage over it using your fingers.

3. First, gently move your fingers in the clockwise direction on the area. Then repeat the circular motion in an anti-clockwise direction.

4. This should be done for 3 to 5 minutes.

Cure your own Headache

You can also relive your head pain with self-massage, releasing the tension, and feel more relaxed. Follow these simple steps to give yourself a head massage:

1. Straight your back and neck and move shoulders away from your ears.

2. At the base of your skull, put your index and middle fingers of both the hands. Fingertips must join each other.

3. Gently press your fingers, putting a little pressure and slide fingers inwards and then outwards. There is not a particular direction, that you can set on your own, the way it feels best.

4. Then move fingers in a circular motion, focusing on the main tense points along with nearby area.

There are several benefits of regular massage which can make the body pain free. The massage parlor Vancouver must have trained professionals who understand the real goal of the massage. Getting a special neck massage Vancouver can be extremely helpful for people who work in offices or drive a lot.

Cupping Therapy and Deep Tissue Massage – Which Is More Beneficial?

In the 2016 Rio Olympics, the old traditional Chinese medicine, cupping made a wave when swimmers, gymnasts, and other athletes were seen with round marks left by the therapy. Many were unsure of what the cupping therapy Vancouver was and there were several speculations.

Here are a few facts about cupping therapy and how it can be extremely helpful for your body and health, especially for people with chronic pain.

What is cupping therapy?

Cupping is a kind of deep tissue massage Vancouver in which counter-pressure is created using small cups that works deep muscle fascia. Instead of compressing, muscles, fascia, and fluid are lifted to facilitate their movement in therapeutic ways. At the time suction device on the cup is used or the sir inside the cup is heated to create a vacuum before placing it on the skin, to create counter-pressure.

Along with other alternative medicine, cupping has a long history in many cultures. There are some studies on cupping, showing the positive outcome of it but there has to be a significant study on its benefits. Many athletes and other people have had the first-hand experience of cupping and how it helped them, however, the western medical community has not yet fully the cupping therapy Vancouver.

The round marks left on the body after cupping therapy are misunderstood at large, terming them as bruises. The pink, purple, or red marks on the body are not really bruises, as bruises are results of trauma, with subdermal bleeding and at times may be sore. Cupping is, however, much like hickey and the color of the marks depends upon the type and amount of toxins released from muscles and nearby tissues during the cupping therapy. Specialists use these marks as the diagnostic tool, as it reveals what is happening internally in that part of the body. These marks usually last for 2 to 4 days, depending upon the issue.

It is particularly considered beneficial for people with chronic pain or nerve pain. Some people use cupping therapy regularly along with other modalities.

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massage Vancouver is a massage technique that is mainly used to treat musculoskeletal issues like strains and other sports injuries. Inner layers of muscles and connective tissues are targeted with slow deep strokes and by applying sustained pressure. It aids in breaking the scar tissues that are formed after injury and minimize the tension in tissue and muscles.

The blood flow is increased through it and inflammation is reduced, leading to faster healing.

How deep tissue massage helps? 

There physical as well as psychological benefits of deep tissue massage. Instead of providing relaxation like other massages, deep-tissue massage Vancouver provides relief from stiff muscles and muscle pain. Whereas, it also relieves mentally.

A study conducted in 2014 showed that deep tissue massage has helped people with a chronic low back. Other than this, the massage helped with sports injuries, fibromyalgia, sciatica, high blood pressure, and tennis elbow.

The procedure

Before starting the process, the therapist examines the area with a problem. The deep tissue massage Vancouver can be done full body or to any particular part of the body.

The person to be treated is then asked to lie down on the back or the stomach, the area to be treated has to be exposed for a better treatment process.

The massage starts with therapists warming up the muscles using lighter strokes. After warming up the muscles, the actual work is done on the area with an issue. Then the deep kneading and stroking are used with various pressure intensity required.

Possible Side effects

After the deep tissue massage, little soreness is common for a few days, which can be relieved using a heating pad or cold pack wrapped in a towel.

Though generally, it is safe, firm pressures are used during the massage which may not be suitable for all. A few checkup and medical history are analyzed by a doctor before starting the procedure, like:

• Any medical history or clotting disorder

• If a patient is using blood thinners

• If they have any bleeding disorder

• Have cancer or undergoing any treatment for cancer

Special care is to be taken before any kind of massage like deep tissue massage Vancouver.