Which Massage For What?

Greeting folks.

Massage, or as it is most probably more accurately called  these days, bodywork comes all different shapes, sizes and techniques. There are literally hundreds of different styles of bodywork, some are very good legitimate techniques and others are just something else rehashed under a different marketing ploy. Some are more effective than others and some aren’t effective at all!

So which kind is best for you and what you are needing? Let’s see if we can shed a little light on that for you then! First off you need to have clearly in mind what it is you want to achieve from your massage or bodywork. Are you looking to simply be pampered and relax? Are you looking for tension to be worked out? Are you wanting your persistent pains and aches to be sorted out? Do you want all of the above? This is what you must first have clear in your mind before seeking out a massage or bodywork therapist.

THE BASICS

Basically there are 3 main categories for massage or bodywork and most of the plethora of style will fit into at least one of them.

1. Relaxation Massage -The whole point of this massage is not to get into trouble spots or work out knots etc, it is to take you blissfully away from the everyday to a place of total relaxation. Swedish, Indian Head Massage, Hawaiian Huna or Lomi Lomi, Hot Stone etc are examples of this type of massage. These are the kind you usually get in a day spa or salon. These are still very therapeutic and great for you but don’t expect any sorting out of problems of a deeper nature.

2. Therapeutic Massage – This is a little more in-depth and will involve the therapist taking a case history before they work on you. These massages generally work into problem areas a little more firmly and are aimed at releasing tension and stress. Not overly firm but firm enough to get into the spots. Style examples include Therapeutic massage, Swedish, Remedial.

3. Deep Tissue Massage – This is probably the broadest range of therapies. Deep tissue involves the therapist taking a comprehensive case history and in some cases X rays can be asked for. These therapists work on the deeper tissues and problem areas of the body as well as the energetic system. This is usually quite a firm to hard massage and will leave you sore for a day or two post treatment but you feel amazing once it passes. This style is all about locating and working away at problem areas and creating healing. Styles in this category include, sports massage, Thai massage, Myopractic/Myofascial release, remedial, Bowen therapy, deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy, acupressure.

Of course there are many more styles of massage in each category than these few examples so look around and see which one appeals to you, these are mean’t as a guide to simplify the understanding for you. Now that you know what you want to achieve from your treatment and what kind of treatment you want you need to locate a practitioner near you. How do you know if the practitioner is any good?

CHOOSING A THERAPIST

Whatever you choose to undertake with any kind of therapy, the best recommendation for a therapist is the one that comes from others who have experienced and been treated by them. Next is the qualifications. Make sure the therapist you are going to has the relevant qualifications to practice their modality and that they are insured to practice. You must show your qualifications to insurance companies to obtain practitioner insurance and be registered with a professional association. These are the main things to look for to ensure your practitioner is legitimate.

Whether or not they offer private health fund rebates, like here in Australia, is really irrelevant. Many of the more elitist and power/money hungry professional associations out there will tell you different but the truth is many therapists are choosing to join alternate professional associationsas they offer better rates for practitioner insurance and cover more modalities for a far smaller fee. Health funds actually charge many therapists for the privilege of offering rebates, some don’t but make them jump through hoops for their provider numbers, most of which are just plain annoying and are not insuring the best treatment for you, the client, at all. The majority of these health funds do not rebate you, the customer, very much at all and are basically a rip off. With this in mind many professional therapists, who are well qualified, are these days opting out of offering rebates and instead pass on the savings to their clients through lower treatment fees due to not having to pay ridiculous fees to bloated associations and private health funds. So whether or not they offer rebates is not a deciding factor in how good a therapist they are. Don’t be duped by marketing! Your therapist will usually have their diplomas/degrees/certificate on the wall but if not and you want to be sure, just ask them. Most will be only too happy to show you their achievements.

Sometimes it can take a few goes to get the right therapist for you but when you do, keep them! Build a repore with them and they will know exactly how to fix your ailments each time. As a professional massage therapist myself, I know only too well the value of having regular clients and how much of a difference familiarity makes to the success of a treatment session. That’s not to say newer client don’t still benefit, they certainly do and a good therapist will make you feel like you have been coming forever anyway!

Massage is a wonderful way to enhance your wellbeing and to enjoy life. When done regularly it has long reaching benefits and is a great part of any wellbeing regime. Try it out today and feel for yourself how beneficial massage can be.

Have a great day!

Craig Hitchens. B.HSc. Dip. Mass.