Spa Massage Techniques Guide

Spa massage techniques may be gentle or firm, soothing or invigorating, depending upon the results you want to achieve.

It's important to choose the right massage technique to achieve the right results - you don't want a massage that pushes, pulls, and pounds your muscles when you really want to relax!

Spa massage therapy can help reduce the pain of an intense workout or game of tennis, golf, or football.

As part of a holistic therapy, it can be soothing to the mind and body.

As part of a beauty treatment, it may be combined with a spa skin treatment.

It can also be part of a spa ritual, as in a hamam.

You can learn more about different types of massages on the following pages - most of which have demonstration videos to show you what to expect from the experience.

• CranioSacral Therapy - a gentle massage of the head and neck, used primarily to reduce pain and migraines.

• Deep Tissue Massage - a very firm (sometimes a bit painful) massage to loosen stiff muscles.

• Hot Stone Massage - the warmth and weight of the stones aids in relaxing muscle tissue.

• Lomi Lomi Massage - a very soothing massage from Hawaii.

• Lymphatic Drainage Massage - a theraputic massage to increase the flow of fluids through the lymph system.

• Reflexology Massage - A theraputic hand or foot massage that applies pressure to certain points to release energy to corresponding parts of the body.

• Swedish Massage - a classic and most common massage. If you've never had a massage, start with this one.

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