Which massage for my husband?

[samAnThA]

My husband will be home in a few months from Iraq and I'd like to set him up an appointment to get a massage(it's going to be a surprise for his birthday). I've never gotten a massage before so I don't know which one I should choose for him, a couple options are swedish, lomi lomi, reiki, hot rock therapy, deep tissue, sports, and trigger point therapy. Anyone have any experience with any of these that they'd care to share or recommend. Thanks!

 

[Jeanmarie]

Swedish is very light.
Deep tissue is great! IMHO

 

[yunesa]

If this is a birthday gift, I would suggest that you book an appointment at your local (favorite) spa which massage and/or body treatment or facial therapy- together with you.

There are packages for couples like yourselves, just ask the receptionist.

For first timers, the "safest" recommendation for a massage and one that is relaxing, is the Swedish massage. Deep tissue, sports massage and trigger point therapy are all deep pressured massage and as a first timer I would presume that you would want more to relax than to have your muscles worked-out. Maybe you can try these medium to deep pressured massage on your second visit.

Hope this helps.

 

[kneady]

deep or sports....nothing soft or fluffy...I would use moist heat and vibration...it is hard to find a good massage nowadays!

 

[kdr_cmt]

Reiki is not a form of massage. It can be added to a massage, but it is energy work. Sports massage and deep tissue are the same thing. And trigger point therapy is part of deep tissue. Swedish is just your basic, "make me feel relaxed" massage. Lomi lomi is more of a healing technique than anything else and it's kind of intense; I wouldn't recommend it for a first-time massage. You lay directly on the vinyl of the table and are totally naked except for a towel, whereas in any other massage there are blankets and sheets and cushioning and heating pads. It also works with the energetic body as well as the physical body. For hot stone massage, as the name implies, the therapist massages with basalt stones that have been heated. It's really good for conditions like arthritis that respond well to penetrating heat, but it's another one that I would not recommend for a first-time experience.

For a muscular man, such as one who is in the military, he's probably going to benefit the most from deep tissue, partly because anyone who is physically active on that kind of level needs some serious care on their muscles (which is why it's also called sports massage), and partly because men tend to be more comfortable with the idea of a massage when they know it's doing something they can feel.

Also on the subject of men being comfortable with massage, most of the men I have seen come in for a first massage seem to be more comfortable if they are not alone. I suggest you set it up as a couple's massage and enjoy it with him. You deserve it, too; holding down the fort while he's deployed is pretty stressful.

 

[Ferrochi]

While Swedish Massage is the most common, the traditional Lomi Lomi Hawaiian Massage is a newer treatment which could possibly be a treat for your husband that he hasn't experienced yet.

I'd steer clear of the Deep Tissue & Trigger Point Therapy. They tend to be less relaxing and if not done properly they can be quit painful & leave you bruised. But don't get me wrong, they are very therapeutic and if your husband is returning with any type of physical trauma old or new, then these two treatment might be what he needs.

The Sports Massage & Hot Rock Therapy can both be stimulating as well as invigorating.

Reiki is a great treatment for those who are internally aware spiritually, and are looking to realign and balance themselves.