Whether you’re aching physically or mentally, a good massage can really provide a much-needed dose of therapy. These days, many people are turning to their local medical spas for the massages services that they have to offer. According to Dr. Ulysses Agpaoa, medical director of New Jersey’s Hudson Laser Skin Care, massages can serve as a gateway to stress relief for burdened individuals. In an effort to provide customers with the widest array of services possible, a good medical spa will offer multiple types of massages from which clients may choose. Of course, more often than not, a customer will show up simply wanting a massage, not realizing that multiple options are available. In order to familiarize potential customers with the various options that the world of massage therapy has to offer, the following is a guide to the massages that are offered by Hudson Laser Skin Care:
- Deep Tissue Massage: Deep tissue massage is a powerful technique that is usually combined with another form of massage to alleviate pain and tension in one specific area of the body. In deep tissue massages, a consistent amount of pressure is applied to work the muscle tissue below the superficial layers of the skin. This particular type of massage is generally used to treat chronic pain or post-injury symptoms. Due to its intensity, it is not recommended for clients who simply wish to facilitate stress relief.
- Hot Stone Massage: Hot stone massage uses hot stones to massage the body. The combination of heat therapy and massage techniques can work to reduce muscle tension, soothe the nervous system, and alleviate pressure and fatigue. Hot stone massage is especially recommended for those who suffer from a high amount of stress.
- Therapeutic Massage: Therapeutic massage involves light to deep pressure techniques combined with sweeping arm strokes and acupressure. These techniques are applied to specific points of tension within the body to improve sleeping ability, lower blood pressure, facilitate the release of toxins, and provide much-needed stress relief. An essential goal of therapeutic massage is to allow the recipient to achieve a state of deep, soothing relaxation.
- Reflexology Massage: Based on ancient Oriental medicine, reflexology massage is designed to stimulate various pressure points on the hands, feet, ears and head that correspond to other parts of the body. The purpose of this type of massage is to open the free flow of energy within the body to relieve pain, pressure, and congestion while allowing the body to achieve its proper elemental balance.
Of course, different medical spas offer varying methods of massage techniques. So the best way to get the right type is to describe the symptoms that you are trying to alleviate and heed the advice of the medical spa staff member who is there to assist you. While you might still be at a loss to determine which type of specialty massage will best work for you, you can rest assured that in most cases, no matter which one you choose, you’re bound to leave better and more relaxed from both a mental and physical standpoint.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
