What exactly is a massage? What expectations, if any, do you have when
booking one? If you have ever called to schedule a massage then you have most
likely been asked what type you would like. In general people are familiar with
two main types, a Swedish massage or a Deep Tissue. A Swedish being more relaxing;
and Deep Tissue being more therapeutic.
In reality, massage has become something of an art in its own right. The
level of education and training that a therapist must complete to become qualified and certified is actually quite extensive,
with a large focus on anatomy and physiology. In order to obtain a Nevada State
massage license, a therapist must take and pass a difficult national written exam and go through a full background investigation. Unfortunately the talent of a therapist can be quite overshadowed in Las Vegas due
to the large amount of untrained “entertainers” who advertise themselves as trained therapists. So the number one expectation you should have when looking to schedule a massage is that the therapist
is licensed by the state of Nevada and that the facility has all of the proper licensing.
Along with choosing a well trained therapist, there is also an extensive variety
of the massages you can choose from, depending on what issues you may be having and what your needs are. The selection extends far beyond a standard Swedish or Deep Tissue.
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The first category of massages that are available would be under the classification of a relaxing type massage. These include the Swedish, as well as Hot Stone, Reflexology, and Aromatherapy massage. These all serve the purpose of doing exactly what they say... relax you. They allow the individual to unwind and de-stress.
A Swedish massage increases blood flow and lymph throughout the body. This
is done with the use of three main massage techniques. These three techniques
are standard in most massages, and consist of Petrissage, (a kneading and rolling movement that compresses the muscle by rolling
and squeezing,) Effleurage, (a soothing, stroking movement that in French means “to skim” or “to touch lightly
on”,) and Tapotement, (a rhythmic percussion movement done with the sides of cupped hands.)
A Hot Stone massage is done with the use of smooth heated rocks. These rocks are used in two different ways. First they are used as tools to deliver effective tissue and muscle massage at a pressure level comfortable
to the client. This is done in a "gliding" motion lightly upon the surface of
the skin. Second, they are left to rest on different pressure points and areas
of muscle tightness. The heat from the stones relaxes muscles and increases the
blood flow to the area being worked on which further accelerates the healing process. This increase in circulation, combined
with the relaxation of the muscles also helps to aid in mental relaxation.
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