The best massage types for you and your body.
Massage therapy has been embodied into wellness, medical, and spiritual practices all throughout history. Massage therapy was and still is utilized in various cultures all over the world.
Today, there are a variety of cultures that celebrate the use of massage therapy. Different types of massage therapy are used for a variety of health-related purposes and wellness support for clients in search of alternative healing methods or for medical support.
Massage Therapy for pain relief and massage therapy for stress relief are among the top reasons massage therapy has evolved into such a great resource for both mental wellness and to aid in pain reduction and relief overall.
At Ethos Day Spa offers customized massage experiences, aligning highly skilled and knowledgeable providers with clients’ needs, for an overall transformative and healing experience.
The Relax and Restore Massage leaves clients feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, tackling stress relief and enhancing muscle restoration.
The Spa Recovery Massage is reminiscent of the Deep Tissue Massage but with an Ethos Day Spa touch!
The Spa Recovery Massage is an experience that might include medium to firm pressure and slow techniques that are used to reach deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue. This focused massage can be utilized to alleviate even the most stubborn muscle tension, stress, and soreness.
"My visit to Ethos Day Spa was truly rejuvenating. The massage and pedicure were expertly done, and the amenity spaces surpassed expectations, making it a standout experience in the area. Highly recommend!"
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At Ethos Day Spa, they offer additional benefits and amenities with massage therapy services, meant to enhance the overall “whole body” experience. Leaving clients feeling supported in all ways, body, mind, and soul.
Ethos Day Spa offers the best combinations of overall wellness, providing clients with massage and sauna therapy benefits, the best massage therapy benefits begin with sauna benefits before massage therapy.
Ethos Day Spa hosts amenities to enhance your massage therapy benefits. These amenities allow for utilizing the combination of one or all of the amenities offered with your massage therapy service. Ethos Day Spa provides a Steam Room Experience and infrared Sauna, to help promote massage therapy benefits, a cold plunge to energize those muscles after or before massage therapy, or the Hot tub to soothe sore muscles prior to the massage therapy experience. All these amenities can be used to create the best experience and benefits with your massage therapy service.
"The staff was incredibly attentive. Dre was the best masseur I've had and as long as I can remember... They allow you to take your time and enjoy the amenities such as the sauna and steam room. There's a charming outdoor area with a fire pit a cold plunge and a hot tub. We had a group and everyone's various treatments were amazing. This is a must-do experience."
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There are many diverse types of massage therapy benefits, choosing the right type of massage therapy is key to maximizing your overall “whole body” wellness experience.
Popular Types of Massage Therapy
Swedish Massage
This is one of the most well-known types of massage therapies. Swedish massage is a gentle full-body massage that’s great for people who are new to massage therapy, individuals wanting to release tension, or who prefer a more gentle touch when experiencing massage.
The massage therapist will usually use a combination of:
kneading
long, flowing strokes in the direction of the heart
deep circular motions
vibration and tapping
Passive joint movement techniques
Hot Stone Massage
Hot stone massage is best for people who have muscle pain and tension or who simply want to relax.
This type of therapeutic massage is similar to the Swedish massage, only the massage therapist uses heated stones in lieu of or in addition to their hands.
Hot stone massage may help:
ease muscle tension
improve blood flow
alleviate pain
promote relaxation
relieve stress
During a hot stone massage, heated stones are placed on different areas of the whole body. The therapist may hold a stone as they massage different parts of your body using Swedish massage techniques with gentle pressure. Sometimes, cold stones are also used.
Aromatherapy Massage
Aromatherapy massages are best for people who enjoy the scent and want to have an emotional healing component to their massage. Aromatherapy can be an add on service with a massage session or can embody the massage as a whole, utilizing the essential oils to help condition and elevate the “whole body” experience.
Aromatherapy massage could help with:
Mood boosting
Aid in stress and anxiety reduction
Potentially aid in the reduction of symptoms surrounding depression
Relief of muscle tension
Relief or Reduction of pain
Aromatherapy massages combine soft, gentle pressure with the use of essential oils. There are many essential oils, they are a great way to enhance overall massage therapy benefits.
Depending on the spa and the type of massage therapy, essential oils can be either specially requested as an add on service or a part of a whole massage therapy experience. Using essential oils in carrier oils allows the essential oils benefits to absorb through the skin.
Essential oils are typically diluted, with either a lotion or a carrier oil prior to being applied directly to the skin, especially when utilizing aroma therapy in pairing with a full body massage, this is typically known as the Aromatherapy massage.
When utilizing inhaling aromatherapy for massage therapy benefits, essential oils are used through a diffuser.
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage uses more pressure than a Swedish massage. It is a good option if you have muscle tension.
Symptoms of Muscle Tension can be:
muscle soreness
muscle injury
muscle imbalance
muscle tightness
chronic muscle pain
During a deep tissue massage, the massage therapist will use slow strokes and deep finger pressure to relieve tension from the deepest layers of your muscles and connective tissues.
To achieve the best massage therapy benefits for your body, the massage therapist will communicate with your body, gaining an understanding of the relief needed and the pressure and technique that is best to provide the best overall massage benefits for pain relief and muscle tension.
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Reflexology
Reflexology uses gentle to firm pressure on different pressure points of the feet, hands, and ears. This massage therapy is best for people who are looking to relax or restore their natural energy levels.
This is the best massage therapy option for individuals who aren’t necessarily comfortable being touched on the entire body.
Reflexology may be especially beneficial for:
Overall relaxation
Reeducation of pain
Reduction in overall fatigue
Improving sleep quality
Potential Reduction of General Anxiety
Improving overall mood
A 2018 review by Trusted Source found that reflexology significantly decreased the anxiety of patients undergoing cardiovascular procedures compared with the control group.
A 2019 clinical trial found that reflexology could reduce fatigue and pain and improve the quality of sleep in patients with lymphoma.
Massage therapy benefits can be a wonderful way to feel better physically, mentally, and emotionally. It is advised to experiment with several types of massage therapy and with different massage therapists to ensure finding the best type of massage therapy and provider for the overall best massage experience!
At Ethos Day Spa, experienced, skilled, and client centered massage therapists are there to guide clients to experience a “whole body” wellness journey, leading clients on the best path to achieve overall rejuvenation and relaxation, receiving the best massage therapy benefits that Grand Rapids, Michigan has to offer!
References
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (2008). Massage Therapy: An Introduction - https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GOVPUB-HE20-PURL-gpo29948/pdf/GOVPUB-HE20-PURL-gpo29948.pdf
Cronkleton, E. (2023, August 31). What are the different types of massage? Healthline. - https://www.healthline.com/health/types-of-massage
Chandrababu, R., Rathinasamy, E. L., Suresh, C., & Ramesh, J. (2018). Effectiveness of reflexology on anxiety of patients undergoing cardiovascular interventional procedures: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 75(1), 43–53. -https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.13822
Rambod, M., Pasyar, N., & Shamsadini, M. (2019). The effect of foot reflexology on fatigue, pain, and sleep quality in lymphoma patients: A clinical trial. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 43, 101678. - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejon.2019.101678
Xiong, M., Li, Y., Tang, P., Zhang, Y., Cao, M., Ni, J., & Xing, M. (2018).
Effectiveness of aromatherapy massage and inhalation on symptoms of depression in Chinese Community-Dwelling older adults. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 24(7), 717–724. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2017.0320
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