[pink.princess]

So next week I'm going and vacation and plan on going to the spa they have nearby the place I'm staying. I've only had a massage once (so obviously I don't get them regulary... I wish!), and it was a deep tissue, and it was fabulous. But I was just wondering if any of you have a recommendation for a different kind of massage that you really enjoyed or compare different kinds you've had?

Thanks!

[AngelaGM]

I used to work at a casino in Mississippi that had a spa and we got a great associate discount. I am going to go with my husband to a massage therapy school and get a massage in a few weeks. Deep tissue is my favorite type of massage but I might try Hot Stone Therapy sometime.

[pinksugar]

I really like Thai massage. Chinese massage can be too painful, but thai is really nice. I've heard swedish can be a bit sore too?

[Jinx]

My one and only massage was Swedish- it had it's painful spots but she eased up if I jumped or something.
I have a couple of knotty spots under my shoulder blades and in my lower back that she pushed on until those knots gave up.
It was gooooood!

[Bec688]

I spend half my day on the phone explaining to clients different types of massage lol

Swedish is pretty much for relaxation, it's long strokes of effleurage. It uses a firm but gentle pressue to improve the circulation, helps to ease muscle aches and tension, and improve flexibility.

Remedial - is therapeutic, if you have any issues you need to work on, like knots, sore spots, injuries etc Remedial is the way to go, you don't necessarily have to have problems to get a remedial massage, they can be relaxing too, if you want something relaxing but still deepish go for a remedial.

Deep Tissue massage is basically just a DEEP version of remedial. It's aimed at the deeper tissue structures of the muscle and fascia, which is your connective tissue.

I know we have an american massage therapist at my work and she says they don't have "remedial" massage in America, that is it either relaxation or deep tissue.

Hot Stone Massage - if you want to indulge..hot stone all the way! Heated smooth, flat stones are placed on key points on the body. The massage therapist may also hold the stones and use them to massage certain areas of the body. The heat of the stones penetrates the muscles and relaxes them and helps improve circulation.

Thai massage - It's like yoga for dummies! lol The therapist uses their hands, knees, legs, and feet to move you into a series of yoga-like stretches.

Lymphatic Drainage - Is a massage that relaxes the nervous system and aids the body's immune system. It is great for those prone to and recovering from sore throats, colds, infections, on-going tiredness, excess fluids, low immunity, swollen lymph nodes - so basically it is really helpful in aiding to rid toxins from your body.

I could go on and on lol But those are probably the main style of massages offered at most spas. If you want any other descriptions.. let me know!

Most people tend to opt for swedish/hot stone/deep tissue/remedial the most, though thai massage is becoming really popular at the spa I work at.

[pink.princess]

Ooo! haha! That's all I have to say! Those all sound amazing!!! Thanks for all of your help. I'm gonig to have such a hard time deciding!

That lymphatic drainage sounds interesting. Definitely not a glamorous name, but sounds interesting! haha. What kind of pressure do they use for that?

[ADSCOSMETICS]

I had Hot Stone and Swedish. The Swedish hurt after a couple days but I felt like a new person when I got off the bed. The Hot Stone felt great and I didn't have any pain afterward. With a Swedish massage, you can ask the person to alleviate the pressure if it's too much for you. I probably should have said something.

[Bec688]

lol yes, lymphatic drainage doesn't sound so glamorous.. but it's great. It's a fairly firm pressure, but consistant. Rather than the therapist going "hard" in certain places, they tend to use the same pressure throughout the entire massage. It's incredibly relaxing!

Swedish Massage shouldn't hurt at all! You may experience a little tightness the next day, perhaps a teeny bit of soreness, but no pain.

Definately say something if you feel the pressure is too light or too hard. It's the therapists job to make sure you have the best treatment possible, we're not all mind readers hehe You can generally guage the type of pressure for most people, but myself and I know most other therapists encourage strong communication between you and the client. Speak up, we don't mind!

[ADSCOSMETICS]

I agree--no massage should ever hurt afterward. I guess it was just too sore and tender so it felt more like pain.

[Aniger86]

I wish I could go for a massage, but I get all giggly and move ard alot when I get one. Once, a work mate put her hands ard my shoulders and massaged them, just for the heck of doing it and I got all fidgety.

[pink.princess]

I get fidgety too, but only in one area like in the middle section of my back. I love getting massaged on my upper back and my lower back is pretty good. But right in the middle, I guess because it's close to my sides where I'm super ticklish, I can't stop wiggling.

Does anyone know what a Lomi Lomi massage is?

[civicbabe627]

Oh you are so lucky... I want a massage SO bad! I actually think I need to see an actual doctor about my chronic back pain... but massages ALWAYS feel nice!

I would say go for the deep tissue.

[LilDee]

I have been having deep tissue massage off and on for my low back since a car accident 2 years ago..
I love the (theraputic) deep tissue massage.. it hurts.. but i love the feeling of the tight painful knots being released.. lol, i'm weird i guess.. only downside is i'll feel bruised the next couple days..

My favorite relaxing massage would be Swedish massage.. aslong as they use a good amount of pressure.. some light pressure mixed in is nice too.
But whenever someone uses only light pressure, i always feel like there's some missing.. lol