Whilst there is the all encompassing phrase “massage”, there are in fact many different types of massage offered, and in particular, concentrate on a certain part of the body or the actual method of administering the massage. Whilst the list is long, the beginner should make themselves aware of these ten types to begin with which are the most popular offered by a masseur today.

Swedish massage therapy: You will find that this is a very common form of massage because it has the characteristics of being very gentle and relaxing. It will take the form of long strokes, kneading and circular movements on superficial layers of muscle using massage lotion or oil. The result for you is to feel really refreshed and calm including a feeling of overall renewal of the body's senses.

Aromatherapy: This therapy involves one or more scented plant oils being used during the session. Don't worry, you will have a choice to select the oil you want to use. An oil such as lavender is very popular as it is very complimentary for stress related conditions together and it enhances the feeling of serenity.

Hot stone massage: This is where heated smooth stones are placed on certain parts of the body to help loosen the body's tight muscles and balance energy points in the body. These are applied at a temperature that will not in any way make you uncomfortable. At times, gentle pressure on affected areas can be applied especially for those who suffer from muscle tension.

Deep tissue massage: This type of massage is designed to target the body's deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue. Slow strokes of the hands are used across the grain of the muscle to create friction. It is used on those that have chronically tight or painful muscles, repetitive strain injury, postural problems and where the person is recovering from an injury. The main downside of the type of massage is that you will often feel sore for the next day or two.

Shiatsu: This is a Japanese form of massage therapy. The technique involves using localised finger pressure in a rhythmic sequence on acupuncture meridians. Each point is held for 2 to 8 second period that is designed to improve the flow of energy and help the body regain balance. Those who have tried it say that it is relaxing yet firm. The best part is that there is no soreness afterwards.

Thai: This is similar to Shiatsu because it aligns the energies of the body using gentle pressure on specific points. Included in the session will be compressions and stretches as you are moved in a variety of postures just like yoga but in this case, you don’t do anything apart from letting the masseur take control and work their magic.

Pregnancy: There is even a form of specialist pregnancy massage. It is designed to relieve stress, decrease swelling, relieve aches and pains as well as reduce anxiety and depression. It should be noted that this type of massage should only be undertaken with the full knowledge and consent of a doctor.

Reflexology: The other name for this type of massage is foot massage because it involves applying pressure to certain points on the foot. The theory behind this is that there is a belief that the foot corresponds to certain organs and systems of the body so if therapy is administered to the foot, the rest of the body will benefit too.

Sports: This type of massage is designed not only for professional athletes but anyone involved in sport since it helps not only to treat physical injuries but can also be adopted as a preventative measure to reduce the possibility of muscles becoming strained.

Back & Neck: This simple yet very effective massage therapy relieves tension and strains in the back and neck which are often the most complained about parts of the body when it comes to aches and pains. Just sitting or standing incorrectly can create the muscle strain that manifests itself in pain and discomfort in this area of the body.

So this is the list of the most popular and in demand types of massage today and techniques such as full body massage and back and neck massage are a great place to start when you want to discover how to give a massage. By understanding and being able to practice these techniques you will have a skill that will always be in demand.