5 Types of Body Massage to Melt Your Stress Away

Welcome to adulthood, where you would much rather have a full body massage than go to a bar on the weekend. You’re floating on cloud nine as soon as the therapist kneads, rolls, and rubs the knots in your body. It’s easy to forget your worries when everything feels soft and light. Deadlines? Never heard of them.

That said, choosing the right body massage treatment can be tough. What’s the difference between shiatsu and Thai massage, anyway? To make your spa day a little more stress-free, here’s a guide on different treatments and their health benefits.

Like feeding two birds with one scone, this traditional spa treatment focuses on your head, neck, and shoulders. It can relieve headaches, neck strain, stress, and (yes!) thinning hair. The Journal of Physical Therapy Science suggests a scalp massage for 15 to 25 minutes twice weekly to lower stress hormones and control blood pressure.

The therapist uses a warm blend of essential oils and a jade brush to stimulate your scalp and tap into the head and forehead chakras. Once done, wash your hair with herbal shampoo.

Do you have a low pain tolerance? Go for a Swedish massage! This centuries-old therapy combines rhythmic tapping motions with slow and long strokes to provide physical and mental relaxation. A 2022 study also finds Swedish massage helpful for people with rheumatoid arthritis as it reduces pain and the need to use painkillers.

A Swedish massage ranges from 60 to 100 minutes. If you choose to do the shorter session, the therapist will still carry out all five techniques: gliding, kneading, pounding, rubbing, and shaking.

You will feel a bit sore for about 24 hours after the body massage. During this time, drink plenty of water and enjoy nice, warm showers. Use Dove Bar Relaxing Lavender to extend the spa experience at home. The sweet lavender scent brings calmness, not to mention its moisturizing formula that leaves skin soft, smooth, and radiant.

This Japanese-style treatment is a worthy addition to your must-try list, especially if work has done a number on your back. The therapist uses their fingers, palms, elbows, and knees to press down on specific points. According to the BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies Journal, this body massage can relieve lower back pain, menstrual cramps, and postpartum discomfort.

Unlike most body massage therapies, shiatsu doesn’t require stripping down to your undies. You will remain clothed throughout the session to protect your skin from friction since the treatment doesn’t utilize oil or lubricants.

When you enter the massage room, you won’t see any bed or chair – shiatsu massage must be done on a mat or floor for best results. Tell the therapist about your pain points and past health history. They can help them tailor the session to your needs. During the massage, provide feedback on how you feel about the pressure – if it’s, too soft, too strong, or just right.

Try a Thai body massage if you have chronic pain and mobility issues or have been feeling anxious lately. Although it appears similar to shiatsu, a Thai body massage employs distinctive techniques, such as having the therapist “do yoga” on you. You read that right –be prepared to be stretched, rolled, and prodded. At one point, you may even feel the therapist kneading the knots on your back with their legs.

The traditional way of doing Thai massage begins with a prayer. Like shiatsu, the therapist won’t use oils, and you will wear loose-fitted clothes (provided by the spa). A little disclaimer: this is not a massage you can doze off to. You will be an active participant because the therapist will ask you to move and twist your body. Expect to hear satisfying cracks here and there, too!

Although this treatment may sound painful, most people feel a surge of energy after the session. You can continue your day’s errands or have a second mini spa session at home with Dove Deeply Nourishing Body Wash. Its NutriumMoisture technology seals moisture up to 20 layers deep(within the epidermis) and fortifies your skin’s natural barrier, ideal for pampering the skin after a deep massage. With regular use, you’ll get visibly soft and deeply moisturized skin.

Do you know that the feet have around 15,000 nerves? That’s why Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurvedic practices use specific points in the feet to counter ailments related to other organs. Scientifically, researchers link foot reflexology with better sleep and improvement in digestion.

The treatment usually begins with a relaxing foot soak. Your reflexologist will likely explain the different pressure points they’re going to work on. You may also have to sign a consent form — a green flag that assures you’re in good hands. Although your feet get all the pampering, reflexology induces healing throughout your body.

It’s normal to feel slight pain when a certain point is stimulated. Some people also report feeling lightheaded and thirsty during the therapy, though these symptoms go away after a few minutes. You can also book ear and hand reflexology for the complete experience.

Can you feel how stiff your shoulders and neck are? Try these body massage techniques to end your week with a deep, long “Aah.”