A Breakdown of Different Types of Massage & the Benefits of Each

You’ve made up your mind. It’s time for a massage.

Maybe the aches, pains, and stresses of day-to-day life are wearing you down and you’re ready to book some much-needed self-care.

But when you sit down to search for the right massage therapist, you may find yourself completely overwhelmed with options. 

One massage studio advertises deep tissue massage. Another offers Thai massage. Yet another offers something called “Gua Sha.”

What’s the difference between all of these techniques?

In this guide, we’ll provide insight on some of the most commonly provided massages, the technique behind them, and how they may benefit you.

Table of Contents

• What Are the Different Types of Massage? 

• Swedish Massage Is the Base for the Types of Massage Offered by Sevati

• Beyond Swedish Massage: 7 of the Most Common Massage Styles

• What Other Modalities Are Offered With the Different Types of Massages at Sevati?

• Sevati Massage: Offering a Variety of Massage Styles, Techniques, and Modalities to Meet Your Unique Needs

What Are the Different Types of Massage?

There are many different types of massage — over 80 different types — varying in intensity, technique, length, and more. 

Some massages are gentle and meant to help you relax, both mentally and physically — while others are more intense, meant to help a body part heal. 

At Sevati Massage, we don’t focus on one specific massage style during your visit. Instead, we will focus on what is best for your body and your needs. By blending several types of massage — like the ones mentioned below — we can create an experience that will help your body thrive.

Swedish Massage Is the Basis for the Types of Massage Offered by Sevati

When you think of a massage, you likely think of a relaxing time where a Licensed Massage Therapist uses oils, aromatherapy, and a soothing technique to work different areas of your body. 

Also referred to as a “classic massage,” the Swedish massage is the basis of almost every massage technique in America. 

Most commonly done in … 

• Spas

• Health and fitness clubs

• Massage therapy offices

• Private clinics

• Etc. 

… Swedish massage uses a combination of five basic strokes:

1. Effleurage — sliding or gliding over the skin in smooth continuous motions

2. Petrissage — lifting, wringing, or squeezing soft tissues in a kneading motion

3. Friction — rubbing one surface over another to create heat and stimulate your skin

4. Tapotement — series of brisk rhythmic percussive movements with a stimulating effect

5. Vibration — oscillating, quivering, or trembling motion to stimulate digestion and enhance circulation

Each of these strokes is used to help warm up muscle tissue, lengthen the muscles, release tension, and increase circulation. When combined with different massage techniques, these strokes can relax and refuel your body.

Beyond Swedish Massage: 7 of the Most Common Massage Styles

#1: Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massages are best suited for those who engage in intense physical activities, are dealing with chronic pain, or are managing pain from an injury.

Deep tissue massages target the… 

• Deep layers of your muscle tissue

• Tendons

• Fascia (the protective layer of connective tissue that surrounds your muscles, bones, and joints)

… by using firm pressure and slow, targeted strokes

Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage

Some of the benefits clients experience after a deep tissue massage include: 

• Reduced aches and pains

• Increased range of motion

• Decreased inflammation throughout the body

• Lower blood pressure

#2: Myofascial Release Massage

When researching all the different types of massage, one that sticks out to many people is the Myofascial Release massage. 

Are your wheels turning, wondering, “myo-what?”

Fascia is the connective tissue that surrounds and separates your muscle tissue, organs. and even bones.

During a myofascial release massage the fascia, the fibrous layer of the connective tissue around all of your muscles, which allows your body to move and hold different positions, is worked, realigned, and stretched.  

Instead of remaining stuck, stiff, and tight, the massage therapist will use several different techniques to “release” the fascia and re-align it with the surrounding area. 

During the massage, your massage therapist will start by feeling for knots and tight or stiff spots where you may be experiencing pain or discomfort. 

Once found, your massage therapist will begin slowly massaging and stretching those areas while applying pressure. This will continue until the knots or tightness are released. 

Myofascial massage techniques are used to…  

• Treat acute pain

• Assist healing post-injury & post-surgery

• Treat chronic pain and tightness

• Induce relaxation 

… and are most commonly done in areas such as the: 

• Back

• Shoulders

• Neck

• Arms 

• Legs

Benefits of Myofascial Release Massage

Myofascial release massage techniques may be effective treatment for many issues and ailments, including: 

• Chronic pain

• Fibromyalgia

• Sleep issues

• Muscle weakness

• Anxiety and depression

• Repetitive movement. Do the same thing over and over again such as running or cycling? 

• Too little movement. Sit at a desk or in a car all day every day and don’t take your body through full range of motion? 

• Trauma. Injury of any kind (including surgery) can also result in fascial adhesions.

#3: Thai Massage

Thai massage is a unique type of massage. It is often referred to as “lazy man’s yoga” because the therapist manually moves your body through a series of stretches, improving the flow of energy throughout the body. 

This is different from the other types of massage we discuss in this article, where you lie on a massage table while the massage therapist applies oil to your body and kneads and rubs out knots, tightness, and discomfort. 

Instead, during a Thai massage, you’ll wear comfortable clothing and lie on a mat on the ground and your therapist will use techniques such as …  

• Stretching

• Pulling; and 

• Rocking 

… which are often paired with breath work and deep-tissue manipulation to help relieve the tension in your body, improve circulation, increase flexibility, and promote relaxation.

Benefits of Thai Massage

Thai massage techniques come with a wide variety of benefits, many of which are similar to the other different types of massage, like …  

• Increased mobility

• Decreased pain and stiffness in your joints; and

• Reduced back pain

… but this unique type of massage has also been shown to assist in: 

• Relieving headaches and migraines 

• Easing anxiety

• Renewing energy levels

• Enhancing quality of sleep

• Improving digestion

#4: Pregnancy Massage

Prenatal massages are a great example of one of the many different types of massages that use the Swedish massage technique as a strong foundation. Prenatal massages focus on long, sweeping strokes and minimal pressure on the body. 

As a previous labor doula, Amy at Sevati Massage understands the needs, concerns, and precautions pregnant women have. 

This is why she takes extra care to avoid specific techniques or pressure on certain areas of the body. We take care in knowing how to position your body comfortably and take all safety precautions into consideration.

Benefits of Pregnancy Massage

Prenatal massage techniques can provide pregnant clients with a host of benefits, no matter what stage in pregnancy. 

Some of those benefits being:  

• Reduced swelling through increasing the circulation throughout the body and decreasing pressure

• Pain relief 

• Better sleep 

• Reduced stress

• Preparing your body for labor and birthing your baby

#5: Trigger Point Massage

Trigger point massage is very similar to myofascial release massage — and sometimes the terms may be used interchangeably. 

Trigger points are spots on the body that are sore, sensitive, and painful areas. When pressure is applied to these points, pain is sometimes felt  in different areas of the body —  this is known as referred pain.

This type of massage therapy focuses on putting direct pressure on these trigger points. An experienced massage therapist  can map out the trigger points throughout your body and gain an understanding of the pain that is associated with each trigger point. 

Trigger point massage works by pushing fresh blood into the trigger point and flushing waste out. By bringing more oxygen into the area, it relieves pain and encourages the muscle to relax and release tension.

Benefits of Trigger Point Massage

Trigger point massage techniques come with a long list of benefits, like:  

• Reduced headaches

• Improved range of motion

• Increased flexibility

• Improved posture

• Reduced need for pain medication after injury; and

• Improved circulation

• They may also assist in reducing pain caused from specific ailments, such as: 

  • Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders

  • Arthritis

  • Fibromyalgia

  • Sciatica

  • And more

#6: Craniosacral Massage

The goal of craniosacral massage is to access the nervous system and increase nerve flow. 

It involves a very gentle, hands-on approach that examines the membranes and movement of any fluids in and around the central nervous system. 

Craniosacral massage is one of the quietest, most relaxing types of massage. It activates the parasympathetic nervous system — the part of our nervous system that makes us feel safe — by examining the membranes and movement of fluids surrounding the central nervous system.

Benefits of Craniosacral Massage

Many people find these techniques beneficial if they are dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, or even post-traumatic stress disorder. 

Additionally, those suffering from … 

• Fibromyalgia

• Chronic pain

• Migraines

• Fascial adhesions

• Neuralgia

• Multiple sclerosis

• Stroke

• Speech impairments; and

• Neurodegenerative diseases

… may also experience relief from symptoms.

#7: Structural Integration Massage

Structural integration massage involves manipulating the body in a way that brings relief from pain and discomfort, but also provides clients with a form of self-awareness about the way that they are using their bodies. 

Structural integration is aimed at addressing any underlying posture issues and helping realign the body naturally. 

During your massage, your therapist will likely integrate multiple techniques and pay close attention to how your body reacts to specific movements, techniques, and the field of gravity to help you produce more fluid, natural movements.

Benefits of Structural Integration Massage

Structural integration techniques help your body find its way back to a natural balance. Skylar Harris at Sevati has been practicing Structural integration techniques for nearly a decade. 

After several massage sessions, clients may find that they feel: 

• More fluid in the way they move

• A sense of balance

• Less stress on their joints and muscles



What Other Modalities Are Offered With the Different Types of Massages at Sevati?

At Sevati Massage, just as we mix a variety of different types of massage to meet the needs of each client, we may also include a variety of massage modalities in a session. 

Below, we discuss the most common modalities included in our different types of massage sessions.

Cupping

Cupping is an ancient practice that’s worked wonders on clients suffering from pain and discomfort — and it’s one of our favorite modalities to add to massages. 

During this form of treatment, your massage therapist places special cups on your skin to create suction and bring circulation to any knots, trigger points, or tight connective tissue a client may be dealing with. 

This may be done using one of two methods: 

1. Fire cupping: glass jars are placed above a fire and then suctioned onto your skin (We don’t offer fire cupping at Sevati, this is more commonly practiced by acupuncturists.)

2. Silicone cups: these cups only require a small amount of pressure to be applied to suction to the skin, but have a big impact

It provides clients with an immediate release of tension, as well as improved circulation and nerve flow. Additionally, cupping may help with your: 

• Chronic pain

• Inflammation

• Overall well-being

Cupping can treat a single area or be done in a “flowing” technique to release tension in larger areas of the body.

Gua Sha

Gua sha is an ancient Chinese healing method that refers to scraping the skin with a special massage tool. This is often referred to as scraping, spooning, or coining. 

When performing this modality, your therapist will use a special massage tool to scrape areas of the skin, bringing excess fluids to the surface of the skin, flushing them out, and increasing circulation to the area. 

Gua sha is typically done on your … 

• Back

• Neck

• Arms

• Legs

… but may also be performed gently on your face and other areas of the body.

Lymphatic Drainage

If you have swelling or edema, perhaps post-surgery, lymphatic drainage may be the perfect modality to have added to your next massage. 

Lymphatic drainage helps relieve and alleviate any swelling or blockage of your lymphatic system. 

By gently massaging and manipulating specific areas of your body in a rhythmic movement, this method stimulates your lymphatic system and moves fluid more easily through the nodes and tissues. 

After a massage that involves lymphatic drainage, you may experience: 

• More energy

• Increased immune function

• Decreased swelling
  

Aromatherapy

During any massage, with special consideration taken of prenatal massages or any other special circumstances, our massage therapists can incorporate aromatherapy into the massage.  

Studies have found that aromatherapy has many beneficial effects on mood, the senses, and the nervous system.

At Sevati Massage, our massage salve is made in-house and we use the best quality of unscented oils that we can then incorporate essential oils into if desired to ensure it’s a good fit for your massage.

Sevati Massage: Offering a Mixture of Massage Styles, Techniques, and Modalities to Meet Your Unique needs

Searching for a massage therapist that can help you determine the right type of massage for your unique needs? 

We strive to create an experience that will not only benefit you physically but mentally as well. 

We combine different types of massage, modalities, and aromatherapy, while providing a warm and welcoming space. Our number one goal is to provide the highest quality services and strive to be as inclusive, body-positive, and knowledgeable as possible. 

We welcome you to join us in our healing space and experience the Sevati Massage!