Types of massage: how to choose the right one for you

You are standing over a list of massages, reading one name after another. Traditional Thai, oil, hot stones, sports, herbal compress. And in your head, a single question: which one is actually for me? That is completely natural. Most people do not know the differences between the techniques. And honestly, they do not need to. It is enough to know what you want from the hour.

The good news is that there is almost no wrong choice. Every massage will relax you. It is only a matter of whether you want calm and fragrance, a proper stretch for a stiff back, or to be warmed right down to the bone. Let us walk through the main types together: what they look like, how they feel and who they suit. You will choose with ease and ask about the rest without a second thought.

It is not about which one is "best"

Before you start comparing names, one simple way of looking at it helps. Massages fall into two big families. You will notice the difference the moment you lie down.

• With oil, on bare skin. The therapist works over warmed skin with the palms, in long, flowing strokes. It is soft, fragrant and sleep-inducing. The body gives in almost by itself. This is home to all the relaxing and aromatherapy massages.
• Without oil, through comfortable clothing. This is the realm of traditional Thai massage: pressure from palms, thumbs and forearms, leaning into the body, and stretching. You get up feeling stretched and lighter, not sluggish.

The rest is nuance. If you would like to be taken by the hand through the decision, try our which massage is right for me guide. And if it is precisely the oil-versus-through-clothing difference that intrigues you, we have a full Thai versus classic massage comparison.

The Thai classic, with your clothes on

When people say "Thai massage", most picture this one. It is an ancient technique known in Thailand as "nuad", closer to assisted exercise than to stroking. You lie dressed in comfortable loose clothes, without a drop of oil. The therapist moves along the body's energy lines: pressing with palms, thumbs and forearms, bringing in knees and feet, and gently easing you into positions you would never reach on your own at home.

How does it feel? At first perhaps surprisingly intense. The pressure goes deep, and stretching stiff spots can tug for a moment. It should never hurt, though. A good Thai massage balances on the edge of "that is the spot", never past it. You get up stretched, with the blood moving, and, surprisingly, fresh rather than drowsy.

It suits you when:

• you spend your days at a computer and your back and neck are crying out for a stretch,
• you do not like oil on your skin and want to leave neat, not greasy,
• you enjoy the stretched feeling that follows good exercise, rather than heaviness.

Want to know more before you book? Read what Thai massage is and where it comes from, or go straight to our traditional Thai massage.

Oil, fragrance and calm you could fall asleep in

The second big family is the exact opposite. It is soft, warming and made for drifting off. The therapist works over warmed skin with warm oil, in long, flowing strokes that settle the nervous system as much as the mind. Here you do not stretch anywhere. You simply let yourself be carried.

You can choose by whatever appeals to you:

• Aroma Relax Massage. With essential oils you pick to match your mood. Fragrance goes hand in hand with touch, and the tension lifts before you have even sorted your thoughts.
• Thai Oil Massage combines warming oil with elements of Thai bodywork. Something between stroking and a gentle stretch.
• Hydrating options such as coconut or cannabis oil, when you want to treat your skin as well as unwind.

This group is ideal after a demanding week, when you are rushing from morning to night. Or when you simply want an hour with nothing at all to deal with. The only thing to expect afterwards is a pleasant heaviness. Sometimes a fleeting chill too, once the oil on your skin cools (why that happens, we explain in our article on chills after a massage).

Heat that does the work for you

There is a category of massage in which some of the work is done by heat itself. And if you freeze in winter or feel that "nothing warms my back up", you will most likely love them.

• Hot Stones Massage. Smooth volcanic stones warmed to a pleasant temperature are laid on the body and used to massage at the same time. The warmth reaches into the muscles deeper and faster than palms alone, so you let go even in places that usually resist. For exactly what to expect, we go into the effects of hot stone massage.
• Thai Herbal Heat Massage. Linen compresses filled with aromatic herbs are steamed and then used to warm and press the body. Fragrance and gentle tapping join the heat. It is as much a sensory experience as a release.

Who are they for? Anyone who loves warmth, warms up slowly, or wants to turn a massage into a genuine ritual. In the cold months they are among our most popular.

When one particular spot is bothering you

Sometimes you are not after all-over calm but come with a clear brief: my neck aches, my legs are heavy, my head is pounding. That is exactly what targeted massages are for, devoting the whole session to a single area:

• Back Pain Relief Massage. The most common choice for people at a desk. It releases overloaded trapezius muscles and a back where a whole day's stress settles. When back pain keeps coming back, read how massage helps with back pain.
• Sports Massage. More intense, deep work for an active body, whether you are preparing for a performance or recovering after one.
• Foot Awake Massage. Seventh heaven after a day on your feet; the relief will be appreciated even by those who stand all day.
• Anti-stress Massage. Gentle work on the head, neck and face that draws tension out of the whole body surprisingly fast.

A targeted massage is wonderful for easing tension and overwork fatigue. With long-term or severe pain, tingling or after an injury, however, a massage does not replace a doctor. Have the problem assessed properly first, and then treat yourself to a massage as relief, not as a cure.

In pairs, in pregnancy — and how to finally decide

A massage need not be a solo affair, and it need not step aside even during a special time:

• As a pair. A couples massage takes place side by side in one room. It is a lovely shared experience for partners, friends or a mother and daughter. For exactly how it works and what to expect, we have written a couples massage guide.
• In pregnancy. A pregnancy massage is given with particular gentleness, in suitable positions and with care for the mum-to-be. Always after consulting a doctor. More in our article on massage during pregnancy.

And if you are still wavering, here is a quick cheat sheet:

• I want to switch off → Aroma Relax, Thai Oil, Tranquility Ritual.
• My back and neck ache → Back Pain Relief Massage, traditional Thai.
• I am recovering after sport → Sports Massage.
• I long for warming, deep release → Hot Stones, Thai Herbal Heat.

None of this is binding, and you cannot get it wrong. Browse the whole range of massages and the price list. And if you are unsure, tell us a few words about what you need when you book. We will take care of the rest.