Finding the right style of massage for relaxation and recovery - Las Vegas Weekly

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Massages aren’t just an extravagance. They are perhaps one of the most important forms of self-care you can give to yourself.

“Every person deserves to get a massage. … It’s not just a hoity-toity indulgence,” says Morgan Blackwell, LMT, a massage therapy lead instructor at Northwest Career College. “Massage is beneficial to everyone of all ages.”

A therapist for almost a decade, he suggests getting a minimum of one massage a month, and encourages people to get them every two to three weeks if they can.

There is an abundance of massage modalities, so which one is right for you? You’ve probably heard of the Swedish massage; it’s the most common and is designed to be relaxing and to aid in alleviating pain. But there are so many more.

For people who have knots (thank you, desk job), Blackwell recommends deep tissue or trigger point therapy. It’s more rigorous than Swedish massage, which only tackles superficial tissues and structures closer to the skin. Deep tissue and trigger point therapy massages target muscles, which are layered on top of each other.

Deep tissue massages really dig in, thanks to ample pressure from the therapist.

“When working on knots, it can almost feel uncomfortable, [like a kind of] hurts-so-good massage,” he says.

Another popular option is a hot stone massage, which helps to relax muscles and improve circulation. This method uses flat stones heated to 100 to 145 degrees, which the therapist places on points around the body. The therapist then gently moves the stones over the muscles, kneading them.

According to Blackwell, hot stones can melt adhesions and “sometimes structures in our body act like butter, so the more heat applied, the more malleable.”

If you’re looking for a more intense experience, try a Thai massage. It’s a full-body treatment that entails your therapist pulling, stretching and compressing your body (likely in positions you’ve never imagined and can only do with the help of an experienced therapist).

“It’s great for circulation and feels like you’ve been run through the wringer,” explains Blackwell. “But, after you feel taller and like you didn’t know your neck could move that way.”

Blackwell’s favorite type of massage is craniosacral therapy. For this, the therapist applies a very light pressure along the spinal column and moves softly and gently, guiding the body to where it wants to be. This type of massage is beneficial for people who suffer from headaches, and for those who want to promote deep relaxation in their spine or full body.

There are also sports massages, prenatal massages, oncology massages, stretching, reflexology and more.

For those looking for an inexpensive massage, many massage schools offer student clinics that are overseen by licensed therapists. Those professionals can help recommend a massage type that is right for you.

Northwest Career College Massage Therapy Student Clinic 2471 Professional Court, 702-330-3317, northwestcareercollege.edu.

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