10/23/2025
Day 5 of National Massage Awareness Week has us taking a glimpse jnto 5 massage modalities you may have heard of, but may not have had an opportunity to receive this type of bodywork.
Thai Massage
Thai massage combines acupressure, stretching, and gentle rocking to relieve muscle tension, improve flexibility, and promote relaxation. Unlike other massages, it's a more active process performed on a mat with clothes on, involving the therapist using their hands, thumbs, elbows, and knees to guide the client through yoga-like stretches and pressure point work. It is believed to improve energy flow along "Sen" or energy lines in the body, which can help with issues like back pain, headaches, and stress.
This has been adapted to a table version as well.
Trigger Point Massage
The purpose of trigger point massage is to relieve muscle pain and tension by targeting specific knots, known as trigger points, within the fascia. By applying deep, focused pressure to these tight areas, the massage aims to release the knots, leading to reduced pain, improved mobility, better circulation, and a decrease in stress. This can be beneficial for a variety of issues, including headaches, back pain, and limited range of motion.
Aishatsu Massage (Barefoot Massage)
Ashiatsu massage is beneficial because it uses the therapist's feet and body weight to provide deep, consistent pressure that can relieve chronic pain, improve flexibility, and reduce stress more effectively than traditional methods, while often causing less soreness. It works by lengthening muscles, increasing circulation, and releasing tension in deep tissues without the discomfort from deep-tissue massage, making it a powerful and unique deep-tissue treatment.
Prenatal Massage
Prenatal massages provide physical and emotional relief by reducing stress, improving circulation, and easing muscle and joint pain. They can help with swelling, headaches, and leg cramps, and have been shown to lower stress hormones and increase relaxation hormones. This can lead to a better mood, improved sleep, and potentially better labor outcomes.
Lymphatic Massage
Lymphatic massage benefits include reducing swelling and fluid buildup, promoting relaxation, and supporting the immune system. It can also improve skin health, reduce inflammation, aid in post-surgical recovery, and help manage chronic pain.