
Massage therapy is the manual manipulation of the soft tissues of the body. Many massage techniques are generally employed with fingers, thumbs, elbows, shoulders, forearms, or even a mechanical apparatus. The main aim of massage therapy is usually for the relief of pain or body strain. It could also be used to relax the body and increase range of movement by releasing muscle tension.
Many individuals are familiar with the notion of massage therapy. Perhaps you have had someone massage on a daily basis at work. Today, you'll find massage therapists in many cities and most massage parlors. Massage therapy is sometimes done in an office or salon also. The massage therapist uses their hands, elbows, forearms, shoulder, foot, and even a finger to control and/or massage parts of the human body.
One of the most popular types of massage therapy is Swedish massage. Swedish massage is based on the technique of treating the entire body using smooth strokes and gentle kneading motions. This type of massage has been proven to be effective for reducing pain, improving circulation, and releasing body stress hormones such as serotonin. Swedish massage has been known to reduce chronic low back pain as well as spasmed muscles.
Another technique often utilized during massage treatment is shiatsu massage. Shiatsu is also referred to as Chinese massage. It involves the application of pressure to certain acupoints in the body to help invigorate the nervous system. Massage therapists that practice shiatsu also typically use other massage techniques such as acupressure energy circulation to help treat the individual. Massage shiatsu is said to be effective for relieving stress, relaxing the nervous system, raising blood pressure, and removing toxins from the system.
Reflexology massage has also become increasingly common. Reflexology is a massage technique wherein the massage therapist stimulates the pressure points in the hands and feet of the individual to be able to relieve pain or treat conditions related to the nervous system.  
Click to find out more Some of these areas of the hands and feet could be reflex points, which allow the massage therapist to reach into the deeper levels of the human body for those conditions that are not amenable to massage therapy. This type of therapy may be combined with other massage techniques for additional healing benefits. Reflexology therapy may be used to treat: migraine headaches, chronic pain, infertility, chronic fatigue, PMS, and other health conditions affecting the autonomic nervous system.
Physiotherapy massage is another option to consider when looking for relief for low back pain. Physiotherapy (discuss crossing the limits!) Is a form of massage therapy that utilizes the hands and/or feet to massage particular regions of the body. Typically, physiotherapy massage will focus on increasing the flexibility of the individual's muscles, as well as increasing the strength of the muscles. It can also focus on physical problems associated with the low back muscles.
Finally, there's deep tissue massage therapy. This massage treatment uses the entire body, but especially the deepest parts, such as the neck and shoulder muscles. When using this massage therapy, it is important to be thoroughly trained by your massage therapist. As the therapist accomplishes these deeper muscles, you should feel every feeling as it isn't something that you"know" during a massage therapy session. A good massage therapist will always be focusing on different muscle groups in order to get the most benefit for the individual.
If you are feeling less than confident about the various options available, ask for recommendations from friends and/or relatives that have tried different massage treatments. An alternative would be to take advantage of massage therapist referral services. These services are widely available online and in many major cities. You can find a number of massage therapist in your area by visiting the local spa or by searching online. There are many massage therapist in your area that specialize in particular kinds of massage therapy, so be certain to research your options before selecting a therapist to work with.