Relaxation Massage: Which One to Choose?

russian massage

If you have gone to a spa then you know that there are quite a few different massages which they offer. Some of the common ones being deep tissue massage, hot stone massage, etc. Each one of them serves a different purpose and it can be quite difficult to choose a relaxation massage unless you know what exactly it does. So, here are some of the common ones and the purpose they serve.

Swedish Massage

This is the most common massage you can get at any local spa. The body is first oiled and then long strokes are used to massage the various parts and if there are any specific body areas with muscle pain then short strokes are used in that area. The massage style is founded upon the various muscle movements of the human body and the ways in which they can be relaxed.

Deep Tissue Massage

This is the massage to choose if you are suffering from chronic pain in any part of your body. Deep tissue massages focus on smaller specific areas and apply intense pressure on them to regulate proper blood flow within the tissues. While the pressure applied is much more than a Swedish massage, if you are feeling physical pain during the massage, chances are that your masseur is not doing it right. The goal of any massage is relaxation of the muscle, and therefore it should bring about a sense of tranquillity to the body.

Hot Stone Massage

The process involves placing of heated cobalt stones on various parts of the body such as the abdomen or the spine to relieve pressure from those areas and bring about even blood flow. This is one of the best relaxation massages that spas offer, and it can also help cure diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart diseases, etc. It is advisable to check with a physician before getting a hot stone massage.

Aromatherapy

This is essentially a Swedish massage but with the use of aromatic oils extracted from plants. Many of these oils also have healing properties and help with the process of relaxation. Aromatherapy can be a deeply enriching experience and also treat diseases such as insomnia, headaches, PMS, etc.

These are the 4 primary types of massages which every Spa offers. There are also other variants such as Thai massage and Shiatsu massage which are also highly relaxing.

A Brief History of Spa – Unveil the Secrets

spa Center in Dubai

The concept of a spa came into existence since the ancient era. During this era people would visit springs and bathe in the water upon thinking it has medicinal qualities. History of spa reveals that this was a part of the healing practices of various cultures. We also find references to such practices as part of religious ceremonies. Many cultures also used massaging techniques as part of treatment. Since then, you can see the concept of a spa throughout history into various versions of baths and massage parlors.

Greek Culture

Greek culture depicts the earliest version of what we know as the modern spa. They constructed baths around hot springs and even in the cities for the public to use. Romans carried these practices forward and created more variations of the system. They turned these baths into social activity centers along with the addition of thermal water systems. These bathing complexes were also a symbol of the Roman high society culture.

Throughout the history of spa, people have used the concept of a bath for medicinal purposes. Whether it is a hot water bath or a bath in water mixed with another substance. By the beginning of the 18th century, you’ll find the Bath resorts. Here the wealthy and higher strata of European society would visit for various therapies. The concept of bathing at springs still remained a constant. Thus, various bathhouses would flock the spring areas of these countries.

You’ll find some of the first spas (as we know them) in America around springs. It also became a trend to name the establishment after a certain spring, such as Arizona Spring or Alabama Spring. The 19th century was an era of materialistic mindset and thus gave rise to private spas. These were first introduced by hotels, but quite soon private spa establishments would open up in every major city in America and Europe.

While this concept originally spread from the Greco-Roman cultures, the variations of the massages mostly travelled from Asian countries. India, Thailand, Singapore, and China, were some of the places which had the practice of performing massages as medicinal practices. These concepts were readily integrated along with the various bathing systems. Thus, the modern multipurpose spa was born.

Spas currently exist in all modernized countries. They serve the purpose of relaxation as well as curing various ailments through baths and massages.