A massage is the treatment of superficial parts of the body by rubbing, stroking, kneading, or slapping. Massages are usually performed to relieve muscle stiffness, spasms, or cramps and to relieve anxiety, stress, and tension.

There are many different types of massages. The types of massages are generalized to their origin (eastern and western).

Some of the most common Eastern types of massage are: Shiatsu, Acupressure, and Polarity. Eastern types of massages involve an understanding of the body's energy.

Some of the common Western types of massage are: Swedish, Escalen, Neuromuscular Therapy, Trager, Myofascial Release, and Connective Tissue Therapy. Western types are based in an anatomical understanding of our body.

Benefits?

Stress Relief: Massage reverses the effects of negative stress by bringing about the relaxation response, which includes reducing blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate, and the level of stress hormones (such as adrenaline and cortisol) in the body.
Massage benefits your ability to monitor stress signals and respond appropriately by sensitizing you to your body and improving your body awareness.

Better Circulation: Massage benefits blood and lymph circulation. Good circulation is vital to good health. Your blood and lymph carry nourishment to millions of cells throughout your body and carry away the waste eliminated from the cells. Massage increases the flow of blood and lymph, encourages better exchange of nutrients at the cellular level, and promotes detoxification. Increased circulation also helps both prevent and relieve muscle tension lack of circulation can lead to chronically tight muscles. In turn, chronically tight muscles impede circulation and do not receive enough nutrients.

To Easier Movement and Less Risk of Injury: Massage relaxes tense muscles, enhances tissue elasticity and flexibility, and increases range of motion in joints. This makes it easier for you to move and pursue all the activities that you want to pursue. And you are less likely to injure yourself because a less tense and more flexible body is better able to handle any movement you make, even the sudden, unexpected ones.