Massage is one of the oldest ways humans have found to calm the body, and one of the few that works even when the mind refuses to cooperate. But “a massage” covers everything from a brisk sports rub to an hour of stillness with warm stones, and the style you choose decides whether you walk out relaxed or merely stretched. Here are the five styles that do the most for relaxation, what each one is good for, and how to pick.
Why massage relaxes you
Slow, rhythmic pressure on the skin and muscles signals the nervous system that it is safe to stand down. Heart rate and blood pressure fall, cortisol drops, and the “rest and digest” branch of the nervous system takes over. That shift is why a good massage also improves sleep, eases headaches and lifts mood for days afterwards. The styles below all get you there; they just take different routes.
1. Swedish massage
The classic Western relaxation massage. Long, gliding strokes, kneading and gentle circular movements, usually with oil, at light to medium pressure. It warms the tissue, improves circulation and is the least intense of the five, which makes it the right starting point if you are new to massage or simply want to switch off. Best for: first-timers, general stress, anyone who wants to fall asleep on the table.
2. Hot stone massage
Smooth basalt stones are heated and either placed on key points along the body or used in the therapist’s hands as an extension of the stroke. The heat melts muscle tension far faster than hands alone, so the therapist can work deeply without deep pressure. Most people find it the most relaxing style on this list. Best for: chronic tension, tight backs and shoulders, cold Melbourne winters. Our Signature OMM Massage uses hot stones for exactly this reason.
3. Aromatherapy massage
A gentle massage with essential oils chosen for their effect on the nervous system: lavender and chamomile to calm, bergamot and sweet orange to lift, frankincense to deepen the breath. Smell is the sense most directly wired to emotion and memory, so the right blend takes the relaxation somewhere touch alone cannot. Best for: anxiety, low mood, poor sleep. If you want the effect at home, our meditation roller oils use the same blends we reach for in the studio.
4. Reflexology
Focused pressure on points in the feet, hands and ears that correspond to organs and systems throughout the body. Whatever you make of the map, a skilled reflexology session is deeply calming, and it suits people who are uncomfortable with a full-body treatment or who carry their stress in their feet after a day of standing. Best for: people who prefer to stay clothed, tired feet, a shorter session.
5. Shiatsu
A Japanese style, done on a mat through clothing, that uses thumbs, palms and sometimes elbows to press along the body’s energy lines. It combines pressure with stretching and rocking, so it is both relaxing and restorative, and it pairs naturally with breathwork and meditation. Best for: stiffness, low energy, people who like a more active treatment.
How to choose
- You want to fall asleep: Swedish or hot stone.
- Your shoulders are made of rock: hot stone.
- You are anxious rather than sore: aromatherapy.
- You would rather stay dressed: reflexology or shiatsu.
- You cannot switch your mind off no matter what: read on.
OMM: massage as meditation
At Mirosuna we found that even a beautiful massage leaves many people with the same problem they arrived with: a mind that will not stop. So we built OMM, our meditative relaxation massage, to treat body and mind at once. Each session is customised to how you arrive and combines touch, guided meditation, breathwork and hot stones, with organic skin elixirs for the skin. It draws on the styles above (Swedish strokes, hot stones, aromatherapy) inside a practice designed to quiet the mind.
Sessions run for 1.5 or 2 hours as a full body, face or pregnancy massage, from $195, with a twin or couples option from $390. Everything is by appointment in our South Melbourne studio, booked through the Mirosuna app. It also pairs well with a sound meditation if you want the deepest rest available in an afternoon, and our gift packs and eGift vouchers make it an easy present for someone who needs it more than they will admit.
If you are weighing massage against other ways to unwind, our guides to improving sleep quality and yin yoga for relaxation cover the practices we recommend alongside it.