What style of massage is the "ordinary" kind?
April 9, 2010 1:44 PM Subscribe
What "style" of massage would you ask for from a professional if you wanted the kind of massage a normal person would give you (but done better) -- a pinching (in a good way) sort of massage without lotion or oil? Swedish seems to have a lot more rolling, and deep tissue is generally much more focused and greater pressure, and both seem to mostly use lotion/oil.
Massage therapist here.
If you don't want the therapist to use oil/lotion/powders/wax/other lube, just say so. I often use arrowroot powder in situations where oil is too messy, or where the client can't wash it off for a while.
What are you hoping to get from the massage?
If it's for relaxation (in Australia at least, "Swedish massage" is now often called "relaxation massage", there are rolling/rocking and pinching movements that can be applied through clothes, or to bare skin. No oil necessary. Oils or lotions are used for longer strokes where you don't want to go too deeply.
If you want the massage to relieve tension or tightness, then there are movements that compress muscle and tissue, and move it a little, at a deeper level.
Pretty much any technique can be done without oil or lotion - the therapist just changes how the technique is applied.
posted by flutable at 4:11 PM on April 9, 2010
If you don't want the therapist to use oil/lotion/powders/wax/other lube, just say so. I often use arrowroot powder in situations where oil is too messy, or where the client can't wash it off for a while.
What are you hoping to get from the massage?
If it's for relaxation (in Australia at least, "Swedish massage" is now often called "relaxation massage", there are rolling/rocking and pinching movements that can be applied through clothes, or to bare skin. No oil necessary. Oils or lotions are used for longer strokes where you don't want to go too deeply.
If you want the massage to relieve tension or tightness, then there are movements that compress muscle and tissue, and move it a little, at a deeper level.
Pretty much any technique can be done without oil or lotion - the therapist just changes how the technique is applied.
posted by flutable at 4:11 PM on April 9, 2010
Tui na? It's traditional chinese massage and involves pressure points like shiatsu.
posted by blueskiesinside at 6:38 PM on April 9, 2010
posted by blueskiesinside at 6:38 PM on April 9, 2010
Maybe a chair massage? Which would be just the back/neck, in a shorter amount of time.
posted by Swisstine at 10:28 PM on April 9, 2010
posted by Swisstine at 10:28 PM on April 9, 2010
Thai massage may fit the bill as well. It's done clothed and involves a lot of "pinching", stretching, and rocking.
posted by olecranon at 12:49 PM on April 11, 2010
posted by olecranon at 12:49 PM on April 11, 2010
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posted by brainmouse at 1:49 PM on April 9, 2010