Types of massage

Edited by Dr. Giovanni Chetta

Classically there are four classes of massage, with different indications:

1) Therapeutic massage (massage therapy), the purpose of which is to totally or partially restore the functionality of diseased organs through specific massage therapies. In addition to the classic therapeutic massage and the TIB bodywork massage shown here, this category of massages includes lymphatic drainage, connective tissue massage (myofascial, neuroconnective), deep transverse massage, myofascial massage, rolfing, Tuina massage, massage Ayurvedic and numerous other western and oriental massage and bodywork techniques.

2) Hygienic massage: its purpose is to prevent and improve existing health conditions. It acts at the level of the muscle-tendon structures (optimizing their physiology), on blood circulation (favoring metabolic exchanges and venous and lymphatic return) and on the nervous system, therefore on the psyche (thanks to its relaxing properties it reduces the cerebral rhythm and rebalances the "activity of the two cerebral hemispheres). In this category of massages we find the anti-stress massage, the Californian massage, the trager massage, the stone massage, etc. etc.

3) Aesthetic massage: aims to eliminate skin and subcutaneous imperfections and to slow down the aging of the skin. The action of this type of massage therefore mainly concerns the skin, in particular the dermis and the hypodermis, and is normally combined with the use of specific aesthetic products (creams, oils, etc.).

4) Sports massage specific for competitive activities (in which you can have great stresses on muscles, tendons and joints). This type of massage differs, in turn, in:

pre-competition sports massage, i.e. preparation for athletic action (with elasticizing and vascularizing manual skills);

post-competition sports massage that aims to speed up physical recovery after muscular effort (with draining, anti-fatigue and muscle relaxant action, i.e. muscle decontraction);

infra-competition sports massage that uses pre-competition and post-competition manual massage based on the physiological characteristics of the athlete and of the sporting activity.

Other articles on "Types of massage: therapeutic massage, hygienic massage, aesthetic massage, sports massage"

1. The massage: history, benefits, indications and contraindications of the massage
2. Massage & Bodywork T.I.B.
3. Classic massage: action mechanisms and massage techniques
4. Unnatural lifestyle and habitat
5. The power of visualization, stress and neuroassociative conditioning
6. The fundamental role of the body and touch
7. The connective and myofascial system
8. Myofascial connective system and DOMS
9. Thixotropy and tensegrity
10. The tensegrity of the human body
11. Deep wraps and massage & bodywork TIB (MATIB)
12. Massage manual skills
13. TIB Massage & Bodywork Manual (MATIB)
14. TIB Massage & Bodywork: what it is for and how to do it
15. Massage & Bodywork session TIB (MATIB)
16. The Massage & Bodywork TIB (MATIB)
17. The Massage & Bodywork TIB (MATIB) - Results
18. The TIB Massage & Bodywork: Conclusions