7 Popular Massage Styles for Relaxation and Relief

7 Popular Massage Styles for Relaxation and Relief

Did you know you have a lot of options when it comes to getting a massage? Here are the most popular massage styles for relaxation and pain relief.


Everyone knows that massages have amazing benefits. For example, improving circulation and reducing stress.

But, did you know you have a lot of options when it comes to getting a massage? Here are the most popular massage styles for relaxation and pain relief.

1. Relax After a Hard Week with a Swedish Massage

The Swedish massage is perfect for those who are having a stressful time in life at the moment and need to bliss out. Its aim is to relax the entire body.

This massage offers you a soft massage style. It encourages deep breathing thanks to long strokes which help return blood to the heart.

Your spirit will wake up after this massage feeling revived and ready for the rest of the week. 

Swedish massages were proven to reduce the symptoms of cancer amongst patients. This is especially the case for those who struggle with nausea, stress, fatigue, and pain.

2. Stretch Out Those Aching Muscles with a Thai Massage

You don't have to visit Thailand for the best Thai massage. By choosing this option, your masseuse will stretch you in amazing ways.

By unblocking energy pathways, you'll stand up feeling refreshed. Say goodbye to the tension that plagues your body.

You'll need to wear comfortable, stretchy clothes for this massage. This is because your masseuse will be moving you around to get those muscles stretched.

A Thai massage is perfect for anyone who needs relief from pain or for those who have poor circulation. Speak to your masseuse to let them know which areas to focus on or avoid.

3. Loosen Your Joints with a Hot Stone Massage

To improve your overall wellbeing, there's nothing like a hot stone massage. You'll benefit from this massage by feeling relaxed and calm. 

For this massage, your therapist will hold hot stones, or they will place them on specific points of your body to improve circulation. 

The hot stones will also loosen your joints and help reduce anxiety or stress. In fact, if you've been struggling with insomnia recently, this is a great option as it will promote restorative sleep. 

There are a few people who should not choose this hot stone massage. Speak to your doctor before booking a hot stone appointment, if you have:

  • Thin blood due to medication.
  • High blood pressure.
  • High blood pressure.
  • Diabetes.
  • Heart disease.

It's also not recommended that women going through menopause have such a massage due to it potentially triggering uncomfortable hot flashes. Talk to your masseuse about appropriate alternatives.

4. Run into an Injury? Try a Sports Massage

Deep tissue massages are great for anyone who does a lot of sport or exercise. Don't think that a sports massage is only for recovering from an injury.

This massage technique can involve moist heat and soft tissue release techniques, and deep tissue trigger point therapy. 

If you've been struggling with knots or spasming muscles when you work out, this option is great for you. Better yet, you'll improve your flexibility and help prevent future injuries.

Always speak to your masseuse before booking a massage. Let them know when your next big sporting event is coming up to effectively plan when to receive treatment.

For such a massage, it's also worth vetting your masseuse to find out about their training and whether they're reputable.

5. Reduce the Frequency of Headaches

Are you someone who suffers from headaches? You can reduce how often these pesky pains strike by regularly having a headache or neck tension massage. 

This type of massage is recommended for those who spend a long time on their computer, sitting down, or commuting. 

If you don't want a full body massage, you can seriously benefit from this style of massage which focuses on your head, neck, upper arms, and shoulders. 

You'll find yourself feeling less stressed and ready to go back to work afterward Why not schedule such a massage into your lunch break to give yourself an afternoon boost?

The benefits of such a massage are soothing inflammation and increase circulation.

Alternatively, you may choose an integrative cranial sacral therapy massage which can have a great impact on influencing the brain, spinal column and nervous system to relieve pain, dysfunction, and trauma.

6. Relax into Reflexology

The idea of reflexology is that there are 10 zones of the body. Different areas of your feet or hands relate to one of these zones.

Your masseuse will apply pressure to a certain area to target a part of your body. The result is for you to relax and for your organs to improve their functionality.

This style of massage is regularly used to treat cancer patients suffering from constipation, diarrhea, pain, and nausea. 

Even if you're not a cancer patient, it can seriously help you with your pain due to the endorphins being released. 

As well as benefiting those with anxiety and depression, reflexology has also been proven to increase energy levels, improve your circulation, stop headaches, and help you sleep better.

7. Pamper Your Pregnant Partner 

Who needs relaxation and relief more than a mother to be? With the stress of birth very much present in every thought a soon-to-be-mother has, massage is one of the best ways to reduce anxiety. 

Pregnancy massages can help reduce depression symptoms, reduce muscles aches and pains, and even improve the health of the baby. 

To ensure comfort throughout the massage, a pregnant woman will receive a pillow which will support every inch of her body. 

Another popular option is couples massages. One of the best presents to give a pregnant woman is a surprise massage to pamper her amazing body. 

Why not go in with your pregnant partner? Preparing for a baby is very stressful, everyone involved needs some pampering!

Which of These Massage Styles Is Your Favorite?

To find out which of these massage styles is right for you requires some commitment. Why not try out a new massage style every month?

Once you've found an option which helps you relax, improves your sleep, and brings a deep sense of relief, stick to it for some time. 

If you're based in Saratoga, our massages can bring you some of that much-needed respite from a stressful week. Visit our services page to book an appointment.