A Sonoma County vacation is even more special when you add a spa visit for a massage. Massage also can become part of your lifestyle when you return home; call it a wellness souvenir.
Massage therapy has many wonderful benefits that can be very helpful in alleviating muscle, joint or body pain. There are many different styles of massage that can change your range of motion giving your muscles more flexibility and range of motion (ROM).
Massage helps to release toxins trapped within the muscles, allowing the body to become more hydrated and boosts its ability to process more nutrients and oxygen.
Here are two massage styles I recommend for you to try. Experience something new while visiting Sonoma County.
Thai Massage: This is my favorite massage style, both to give and receive. This Eastern-style massage is very yoga like. It’s similar to a stretching session that has very slow deep movements that help bring the body to a deeper state of relaxation.
The idea is to release any congestion that is trapped in the muscles, joints, and facial band, giving the body more energy and stamina. This is a wonderful style of massage for the active body and mind.
I personally love the way this massage clears my mind along with any stress or tension my body may be holding on to. This style has been in practice for thousands of years by monks throughout Eastern Asia.
The average time for a traditional Thai massage is usually two to three hours long and done on a floor mat, allowing the body to be stretched and placed in yoga like stances with the help of your therapist. You stay fully dressed, so wear something comfortable or stretchy. For your comfort and safety, let your therapist know your body’s limitations before you begin the massage.
Sports Massage: This is exactly what it sounds like. This style was designed for the highly active individual who needs his or her body to be at the top of the game.
This style helps the body release any built up toxins and stress that may have gotten trapped in the tissue from placing a heavy strain on the body. People who enjoy the many physical, recreational activities in Sonoma County will notice a great release after a sports massage. These activities may include cycling, sports, dancing, kayaking, or even a hike or walk in our amazing and beautiful national or state parks.
Sport massage can be done before an event or activity to help warm up the body through fast specific movements with lots of vibrating, quick stretching, and some compression on the tissue. This allows more blood flow to the tissue and body, helping with the muscle to be prepared for the stress or strain placed on the body.
After an activity is when I like my sport massage. The movements on my body may be fast with lots of vibration and deep stretching, but I always fall asleep. It helps rebuild my body so I don’t get sore or stiff. I also have a restful sleep. Because no lotion or oil is used and there is a lot of stretching during this style of massage, I usually wear a pair of shorts and a T-shirt.
Always drink water before and after any massage. Ask your therapist for suggestions on what they would eat before and after they session to gain the most benefit from the bodywork.
I hope that these basic descriptions of massage types are helpful in choosing a style you may have never tried before. This will add to your enjoyment of your Sonoma County getaway.
Miguel A. Lujan Jr., CMT/NMT, is the owner of Samagse Massage, a mobile massage and spa service: Professional integrative massage and spa services with the convenience of being in your home, office, hotel room, or event. Call 707-293-6785 or visit www.samagse.com for more information. Hours are 9 a.m.-9 p.m. every day. Appointments after 9 p.m. and holidays have an additional cost.
You have made a good point here. There is a lot of focus on swedish and deep tissue massage, but as you have discussed, there are many other types of massage like the Thai and sports which also are great for stress relief and muscle rejuvenation.