19 Different Types of Massage: Which Is Best For You?
Massage therapy is when a therapist manipulates your soft tissues and muscles, by rubbing and kneading, to evoke a healing or relaxation response. However the technique used to do this differs depending on the style of massage being used.

1. Swedish Massage
A Swedish massage should be top of your list if you’re looking for a way to relax, or if you want to experience your first treatment.

2. Sports Massage
A sports massage is, as you’d expect, great for athletes or anyone with a physically demanding lifestyle.

3. Shiatsu Massage
Shiatsu massage can be traced all the way back to ancient Japan and means ‘finger pressure’.

4. Percussion Massage
Percussion massage has been dubbed the ‘new foam rolling’ by Men’s Health.

5. Reflexology
Reflexology, also known as ‘zone therapy’, is about applying different levels of pressure to your hands, feet and ears.

6. Thai Massage
Thai massage is different to other techniques as the patient lays on the floor and actively participates.

7. Aromatherapy Massage
Aromatherapy massage uses essential oils from plants to improve both mental and physical wellbeing.

8. Hot Stone Massage
When you book a hot stone massage you can expect smooth, heated stones made of volcanic rock to be placed on certain parts of your body.

9. Craniosacral Therapy (CST)
Despite not being as common as other types of massage, Craniosacral Therapy can be used to treat a variety of symptoms.


10. Deep Tissue Massage
As the name suggests, deep layers of muscle and the surrounding tissue are targeted with the aim of lengthening and relaxing deep tissue.

11. Trigger Point Massage
Wherever there’s muscle tissue, you could develop a small area of tension that feels like a knot or marble under the skin — this is a trigger point.

12. Head and Scalp Massage
A head and scalp massage is a pure sensory pleasure. You can sit there, close your eyes, relax and enjoy.


13. Foot Massage
After a hard day, we could all do with a calming foot massage. They’re relaxing and may relieve muscle aches.

14. Myofascial Massage
Myofascial release therapy is all about easing pain in the thick connective tissues that support your muscles, known as myofascial tissue.

15. Compression Massage
Compression therapy dates back to ancient times when it was used as a way to heal wounds and inflammation.

16. Chair Massage
A chair massage involves sitting in a more upright position. Instead of laying on a table, you kneel in a specialized chair that has a padded face cradle to support your head and chest.

17. Couple’s Massage
As you may have guessed, this is not a massage for one but for two.

18. Pregnancy Massage
A pregnancy massage is a gentle treatment tailored to the aches and pains of expectant mothers, encouraging deep relaxation.

19. Reiki
Reiki means ‘mysterious atmosphere, miraculous sign’ and comes from the Japanese words ‘rei’ (meaning universal) and ‘ki’ (meaning life energy).