There are many different types of massage therapy techniques that you can benefit from as a massage receiver or study from as a massage therapy apprentice. Different types of massage techniques have been utilized by numerous different cultures over many periods of time.
Today there are ancient practices still respected and used as well as hybrid methods that incorporate both ancient techniques and modern techniques. There are different types of massage therapy techniques that specialize in different part of the body and focus on different outcomes for the receiver.
For instance, there are ancient eastern techniques, such as acupressure that is utilized in the Chinese Zhi Ya massage therapy and Shiatsu massage therapy.
Acupressure focuses on finding certain pressure points in the body that can hold tension that might be present in other parts of the body. For instance, there are pressure points in your feet that when triggered can create pain or relieve pressure in say your legs or back. Acupressure is beneficial because it targets the source of the problem as apposed to other techniques that focus on the larger muscle as a whole.
There are other techniques, such as deep tissue massage therapy, that focuses on specific parts of the muscle that might be causing pain throughout a larger portion of the body. Deep tissue massage is mostly targeted to relieve chronic pain that is muscle related and can heal or relieve serious injuries. If you are searching to be a masseuse or are looking for a relaxing massage at a spa, this is not the massage for you. If you have a sports related injury where a muscle in your hip might be causing you constant pain, you might want to indulge in seeing a deep tissue massage therapist or chiropractor.
Another technique that is popular in the western societies is the Swedish massage. This massage therapy technique focuses on entire muscle groups in order to give the receiver relaxation and comfort rather than focusing on one specific point of pain on the body. It utilizes movements like rubbing, stroking, and kneading over all of a given muscle. This is the massage you would receive if you went to a day spa.