Aromatherapy, Swedish or Hot Stone: Which Massage Is Right for You?

Massage therapy can help ease tight, achy muscles, aid relaxation, and even improve mental health. For example, massage therapy continued over five weeks was found to improve pain, depression, and anxiety in people with fibromyalgia by promoting relaxation. Different types of massage, such as, aromatherapy, Swedish, or hot stone massage, typically involve different healing approaches or areas of focus. By knowing which type of massage is most suited to you, you can ensure you get the most out of your session.

If you’re looking for a massage intended to aid emotional healing and catharsis, an aromatherapy massage will suit you best. Aromatherapy massages involve healing essential oils combined with a full-body massage that uses gentle, soft pressure (or, sometimes the massage may focus on one area like your head, shoulders, and back). During the massage, in addition to absorbing the oils through your skin, you’ll also be inhaling them through a diffuser to create a relaxing, multi-sensory experience. You can let your massage therapist know which oils you’d like them to use, otherwise they’ll choose them for you. Aromatherapy massage can decrease stress, depression, and anxiety, improve mood, alleviate muscle tension, and relieve pain.

A popular and gentle full-body massage, Swedish massage is beneficial for people with tense, tight muscles or people simply entering the world of massage for the first time. By targeting the uppermost layer of muscles, Swedish massage is effective in relieving muscle knots and enabling full-body relaxation. It involves a combination of kneading, rhythmic tapping and vibration, and joint movement techniques. It is also one of the most popular choices for couples massage therapy, whether that’s with your partner, friend, or relative. During a couples massage, two massage therapists simultaneously work on both individuals. Each massage will be tailored by the therapist to suit your individual needs and focus area.

Although similar to a gentle Swedish massage, hot stone massage involves placing heated stones on and around your body in addition to (or instead of) the therapist’s hands. It’s suited to anyone who wants to relax, ease muscle tension, or simply experience a different type of massage. Hot stone massage can also relieve pain and improve blood flow thanks to the heated stones (however, sometimes cold stones are also used to the same effect).

Massage therapy can help you improve mental and physical health. By choosing the right type of treatment for you, you can ensure you get the best massage possible.