What are the different types of massage therapy?

Cora Berry

Licensed Medical Aesthetician and Massage Therapist

While many of us think of massage as simply a lovely way to relax, there’s so much more to it than that. Massage therapy can help you recover after a workplace injury, aid in treating nerve compression, lessen swelling after surgery and more.

Medical aesthetician and massage therapist Cora Berry spoke with us on the different types of massage, the difference between therapeutic massage and medical massage and when you should avoid massage therapy.

What are the different types of massage?

“In school, we’re taught four main types of massage,” said Berry. “There are actually hundreds of modalities you can learn and add to your own toolbox over time, but we generally start with four basic types of massage.”

The four main types of massage include:

• Swedish, or relaxation, massage: Gentle, full-body technique that focuses on relaxation, circulation and stress relief.
• Deep tissue massage: Using deeper pressure, this style targets deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue to relieve chronic tension and pain.
• Sports massage: Primarily utilized for athletes or very active individuals to help with recovery, flexibility and injury prevention.
• Prenatal massage: Gentle, supportive pressure for pregnant clients to reduce swelling associated with pregnancy, improve overall circulation and ease aches and pains.

There are lots of specialty tools or ways to adapt the different styles, including cupping, myofascial release, lymphatic drainage and hot stone or cold stone therapies.

Do some massage therapists specialize in certain types of massage?

“Absolutely,” said Berry. “Many therapists pursue extra training and certifications in certain areas, like lymphatic drainage, reflexology, craniosacral therapy and so much more.”

Berry noted that most massage therapists are initially trained in relaxation and deep tissue by default, but medical massage or other types usually require specialized knowledge and ongoing education.

How are medical massage and therapeutic massage different?

“Medical massage is usually ordered by a doctor or chiropractor,” said Berry. “This type of massage is going to be focused on the treatment of a specific medical condition, like nerve compression, injury rehabilitation or recovering after surgery. Medical massage sessions are usually shorter and far more targeted.”

Therapeutic massage, on the other hand, is more general. It could include a combination of types, like relaxation, deep tissue massage or corrective work. It’s based around the client’s needs but not always tied to a medical diagnosis.

“In this field, massage therapists tend to label their work in ways that they feel fit best, even if they’re blending multiple techniques and the official terminology might overlap,” said Berry.

What are some medical conditions that benefit from massage therapy?

Medical conditions that might benefit from massage therapy include:

• Chronic pain
• Post-surgical swelling or scar tissue
• Lymphatic drainage
• Sports injuries
• Stress, anxiety and sleep disorders
• Migraines and tension headaches
• ADHD in children or adults
• Autism
• Patients with cancer (oncology massage)
• Digestive issues or IBS symptoms

Are there conditions where you should NOT get a massage?

“Yes, massage isn’t always safe,” said Berry. “If you have an active infection or a fever, you should avoid massage.”

Massage therapy should also be avoided if you have:

• Blood clots or a history of DVT without clearance
• Uncontrolled high blood pressure
• Severe osteoporosis
• Open wounds or burns
• Contagious skin conditions
• Certain high-risk pregnancies (needs medical clearance)
• Recent spinal cord injuries

How often should you receive a medical massage?

“For medical massage, frequency is usually based on doctors’ orders, the type of injury and how well the patient tolerates sessions,” said Berry. “These treatments are often shorter, around 15 to 30 minutes at a time. For massage in general, I usually say it depends on the client’s concerns and goals.”

For an active injury or post-surgical recovery, Berry would normally recommend once or twice weekly at first, tapering off as healing progresses. When it comes to chronic pain management, she noted that every two to four weeks tends to be most beneficial.

For those looking into massage for general wellness, many people feel best with monthly ‘maintenance’ massage sessions.