Massage can be a powerful tool in helping you be healthy, and has been found to help with stress, muscle tension and pain. Massage can also help improve flexibility as it stimulates blood circulation around muscles.
There are several types of massages, and some of the more common are:
- Swedish massage - a gentle form of massage using long strokes, kneading, deep circular movements, vibration and tapping to help relax and energize you.
- Deep massage - slower, more-forceful strokes to target the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue, commonly to help with muscle damage from injuries.
- Trigger point massage - focuses on areas of tight muscle fibers that can form in your muscles after injuries or overuse.