6 massages to help you de-stress

MANILA, Philippines – Though doctors say it is up to us to manage our stress levels, there’s no escaping all the hectic duties of day-to-day life. 

Our schedules, workload, deadlines, and even minor annoyances can tip us over the edge. For a lot of people, the stress manifests via aches and pains, and sometimes, even problems focusing, and a shorter fuse.

In reaction, we often look for activities to help us relax and feel better. Most popular? Getting a massage, as nothing beats the feeling of having someone knead your sore and tense muscles from your daily grind.

At the recent opening of The Spa at the Shangri-La Plaza’s East Wing, we asked their trained specialists to identify which forms of massages are best for different needs: 

1. Classic massage

English-, Dutch-, and Hungarian-speaking countries often refer to it as the Swedish massage. It uses oil and is known to be a light massage, good for relieving stress.

This is often recommended for first-timers due to this massage’s light and relaxing strokes which involve sliding, kneading, and rythmic tapping – nothing too hard on your muscles. But for those who have been enjoying massages for quite a while and are in need of a bit more pressure, there is always the deep tissue variant of the Swedish massage which can relieve deep tension in your joints and muscles.

2. Shiatsu

A bit of good old stretching is good for your joints. Shiatsu, the massage popularized by the Japanese, incorporates thumb pressure on your sore muscles and lots of stretching for your joints. It is recommended for people who consider themselves more active and those who do sports.

The massage also uses rolling techinques over your muscles.

3. Hot volcanic stones

Sitting all day can tighten back muscles. This results to sharp pain that lasts for minutes when we make sudden movements. A hot stone massage is recommended for people whose muscles and joints have become incredibly tight due to daily work routines. It incorporates the use of heated volcanic stones that are placed on certain areas of the body to help absorb the stress in your muscles and help loosen themp up. 

It’s a great option for people who often get consistent back pain and people who do strenuous activities for work.

4. Hilot

A concept most Filipinos are familiar with, hilot helps treat spasms and minor injuries and is best for helping our bodies recover from major stressors and even some forms of trauma.

It incorporates joint manipulation and is good for relieving stress and tension in your muscles.

In the Philippines, some women who have undergone normal delivery in giving birth to their babies also opt for hilot to help their muscles in the recovery stage. 

5. Combination

Sitting for 8-10 hours in front of your computer may leave you feeling sore all over. Despite not doing heavy activities, your muscles can be stressed out by holding that position and just typing the whole day. Available at most spas by request, a combination of Swedish and Shiatsu helps loosen up tense muscles and relax your joints. During this massage, oil is used only on your back. Some people who find themselves allergic to oil even opt for either lotion instead. Remember to tell your therapist to also focus on your hands to help relieve your joints from all the keyboard punching you’ve been doing all day.

It’s also possible to request for aromatherapy oils to be used on your body, for a more relaxing experience.

6. Foot massage

One of the quickest ways to get relief after a long day of walking, be it for work or through the malls, is the foot massage. Incorporating kneading techniques on the soles of your feet can instantly give a relaxing feeling. It can also be associated with reflexology, a branch of alternative medicine, that claims certain reflex points for your other organs can be found on your feet and hands and can help you feel relaxed all over.

What are your favorite massages to help you de-stress? Let us know in the comments section below. – Rappler.com

Living in today’s world can be a little bit stressful. Have a little bit of R&R every now and then with these relaxing massages to relieve tension and stress. Shop for your favorite health and beauty items with the hottest deals online! Click here to know more.