Massages are great for relaxation and definitely not just for those looking to indulge themselves. If you have never had a massage before, or if you have had one and were not happy with it, you should know that there are many types of massages available. Getting the right type of massage is essential to getting the most out of the procedure. Listed below are three popular types of massages, each with a description and list of conditions they are best at treating.

1. Swedish Massage

This type of massage is the most popular in the western world and United States. Swedish massage is essentially a combination of five strokes intended to increase blood flow to the heart and optimize the circulatory system. Swedish massage does not involve any deep tissue work, making it one of the most relaxing types of massage. If your main purpose in receiving a massage is to simply relax and relieve stress, this might be the type for you.

2. Acupressure

Acupressure is one of the oldest forms of massage, and it works by putting pressure on certain areas of the body to help increase blood flow and relieve pain tension. Acupressure is wonderful for treating a variety of ailments, including headaches, menstrual cramps, back pain, indigestion, sleep problems, and more. With this method, your massage therapist will get to the root of your problem and help relieve it from the source. For example, if you have a headache, the problem might arise from tension in the shoulders or neck. By going straight to the problem-causing area, your problems will be treated and not simply masked, as often happens with pain killers and traditional treatments.

3. Deep Tissue Massage

If you experience severe muscle pain and tension, deep tissue massage is a great option to try. During deep tissue massages, your therapist will use slow, deep strokes across the grain of the muscle to help break down knots and encourage healing. Because the pressure from this type of massage is intense, many people experience soreness for one or two days after the fact. This soreness will decrease as the muscles heal and repair themselves; drinking extra water after your massage will help speed up that process.

There are over 150 types of massage out there, but the three listed above are some of the most popular. Before you schedule your next massage, get the most out of it by thinking about your particular needs and choosing the massage style that best suits them. Find a massage therapist, like those at La Mesa Chiropractic Center, that offers that type of massage and start relaxing and healing today!