While good nutrition and regular exercise often require most of the attention we give to our health, caring for our bodies is actually a puzzle with a lot of different pieces. Sure, a healthy diet and an active lifestyle are integral, but a few other factors play a surprisingly big part, too. Good sleep, rest and relaxation, low stress, and positive connections with others all help us age well and live better. Another piece of the puzzle is massage therapy, especially for those who exercise regularly. That’s right—this post gives you full encouragement to book your next massage, because it’s been scientifically proven to better your physical and emotional health!
Now before you go book your massage at the Sanctuary Spa, consider that different massages are designed to have specific benefits. One type of massage may be better for someone who has tight muscles, while another type could aid in circulation. Below we’ve outlined the benefits of our Sanctuary Spa massages, so you can pick the best massage for you based on your needs and activities.
Deep Tissue
The Basics: Deep Tissue applies heavy pressure with hands, forearm, and elbow techniques, and focuses on specific areas of the body.
The Benefits: Alleviates deep tension and muscular stress, helping tight muscles to release and become more pliable, while also promoting detoxification.
Try Deep Tissue If You’re: An athlete who does strength training, or any frequent training that creates tight, sore muscles.
Swedish Massage
The Basics: This soothing massage style is a combination of long, luxurious strokes applied to the entire body.
The Benefits: It enhances circulation, promotes relaxation, and relieves stress.
Try Swedish If You’re: Sensitive to deep pressure and want lighter to moderate application. A Swedish massage is also a great for mental and emotional stress relief, because you will relax into the massage, rather than be brought into the physical discomfort that can sometimes occur with a deeper massage.
Prenatal Massage
The Basics: A prenatal massage is usually designed for women in their second and third trimesters, and focus on relieving typical areas of discomfort during pregnancy. Body support pillows and special techniques for deep breathing are used.
The Benefits: It relieves lower back pain and shoulder discomfort, which often occurs during pregnancy as a result of carrying weight and tension in new places.
Try Prenatal If You’re: A mama-to-be!
Warm Stones Massage
The Basics: A warm stone massage uses heated stones to provide soothing, penetrating heat, accompanied by moderate to deep pressure.
The Benefits: Soothes tired, aching muscles. For most, the element of heat also aids in mental and physical relaxation.
Try Warm Stone If You’re: Looking for a massage that’s a great blend of Swedish and Deep Tissue.
Shiatsu Massage
The Basics: Shiatsu Massage is an alternative technique that involves manual pressure applied to a specific point on the body. This particular massage uses thumbs, fingers, and elbows to concentrate pressure at certain energy pathways in the body called meridians.
The Benefits: This modality, also known as acupressure, works to reduce muscle tension and fatigue and is thought to improve blood circulation in the body, as well as improve function of the lymphatic system.
Try Shiatsu If You’re: An active yogi, runner, or sports player, especially if you have specific areas of the body you’d like to address.
For long-term benefits, book a massage package at the Sanctuary Spa and enjoy one treatment per week for four weeks at a special rate. To learn more about this offer, click here. Expires January 31.