A massage is more than just a simple rub-down of your body by hands and fingers. Massage therapy spa is a fine and ancient art that has developed through many years but this art did not develop in a single linear fashion as one may chose to describe something such as the evolution of computers. In almost every culture that was known in history, massages were a part of almost every other healing process but this also meant that the art would develop and evolve differently through the ages and with time, different cultures, societies and civilisations had their own special variation of massage therapy. Some of which were simply a difference in techniques but others would become distinctly different from all others in terms of methods used, tools and even objective.

People choose to learn massage therapy and also get them done according their needs and the following are just a few in a list of many other massage types:

1. Deep Tissue Massage

This is a special kind of massage that is designed to relieve severe tension in the muscle and the connective tissue. This kind of massage therapy primarily targets the muscles underneath the surface muscles and is often recommended for individuals who experience consistent pain and those involved in extremely strenuous physical activities such as athletes. This massage works differently from one person to the next as we are built differently thus what one person calls deep another will call light and vice versa. If it's not done properly or is done too forcefully, it could also result in one muscle ache being replaced by another. The massage is performed under a constant deep pressure. These are a specialty in many massage therapy spas.

2. Medical massage therapy

There are massage techniques and procedures that were developed specifically for the medical field. They include decongestive therapy, and light massages which are used to relieve pain. A Carotid sinus massage is a method that is used in the diagnosis of a medical condition called carotid sinus syncope. It can also be used to tell apart certain muscular conditions. Medical massage therapy is much more result oriented than the other types and will only focus on the diagnosed/prescribed area.

3. Eastern Massage Practices

There are very many massage practices and techniques that have arisen from the east many of which still carry on today while a few have been widely dismissed as being mythic in their effectiveness. These practices vary not just by the exact region from which they arose but some also have varied targets while others were meant to target specific parts of the body. Here are a few:

- Acupressure: This massage method that has its origin in Japan is very closely related and is quite similar to the Chinese practice called acupuncture due to the fact that it uses the fingers, hands and elbows to apply pressure to acupuncture points.

- Shiatsu: This is yet another massage practice that has its origins in Japan. Its name when translated means finger pressure and this is because it incorporates the method called Acupressure. It also involves and has techniques such as rolling, vibrating and brushing and the feet are also used to apply pressure on the back, legs and thighs.

- Hilot: This is a traditional healing technique that has its origin in the Philippines and incorporates massage techniques that relax stressed muscles. Manipulations of joints are also performed for the same purpose.

4. Swedish Massage

Yet another favorite in massage therapy spas and massage parlors, it applies five styles of long strokes and these are sliding/gliding, kneading, rhythmic tapping, friction and shaking. Swedish massage has been known to be very effective especially in relieving pain and relaxing stiffness in the joints.