A wide array of massage therapy techniques exists today, from slow soothing strokes of traditional Swedish massage to Ashiatsu massage, where a therapist uses their bare feet as the primary massage tool. Common types of massage therapy include:
Swedish massage – Long, slow, kneading strokes with light to deep pressure, focused on relaxing muscle tension
Deep-tissue massage – Similar to Swedish, but using deeper pressure to reduce pain by releasing built-up muscle tightness, knots, and trigger points
Aromatherapy massage – Swedish relaxation massage incorporating essential oils and specific fragrances aimed at helping your mood
Hot stone massage – Swedish-like massage using heated stones, instead of just the therapist's hands, to enhance circulation and reduce pain
Shiatsu – Japanese massage technique using fingertip pressure on specific points on the body to improve energy flow, or Qi
Sports massage – Deep pressure and targeted techniques to reduce muscle pain and improve mobility of a specific area of the body; not just for athletes
Prenatal massage – Light-pressure Swedish massage aimed at relaxing muscle tension and stress during pregnancy