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The most common type of massage is Swedish massage therapy. It involves soft, long, kneading strokes, as well as light, rhythmic, tapping strokes, on topmost layers of muscles. This is also combined with movement of the joints.

By relieving muscle tension, Swedish therapy can be both relaxing and energizing. And it may even help after an injury.

Four common strokes of Swedish massage are: Effleurage: a smooth, gliding stroke used to relax soft tissue Petrissage: the squeezing, rolling, or kneading that follows effleurage Friction: deep, circular movements that cause layers of tissue to rub against each other, helping to increase blood flow and break down scar tissue.

Tapotement: a short, alternating tap done with cupped hands, fingers, or the edge of the hand.

In Japanese, shiatsu means "finger pressure." For shiatsu massage, the therapist uses varied, rhythmic pressure on certain precise points of the body.

These points are called acupressure points, and they are believed to be important for the flow of the body's vital energy, called chi. Proponents say shiatsu massage can help relieve blockages at these acupressure points.

Acupressure is just one of a number of Asian bodywork therapies (ABT) with roots in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Examples of other Asian bodywork therapies are medical qigong and Tuina. Shiatsu is a Japanese form of acupressure.

During pregnancy, your body goes through major changes. Pregnancy massage can help with these changes by reducing stress, decreasing arm and leg swelling, and relieving muscle and joint pain.

Prenatal massage may be particularly helpful during a time when medication and other medical options may be more limited.

Using specially designed massage pillows, the massage therapist will help get you into a comfortable position for this type of massage.

Developed to help with muscle systems used for a particular sport, sports massage uses a variety of approaches to help athletes in training -- before, during, or after sports events.

You might use it to promote flexibility and help prevent injuries. Or, it may help muscle strains, aiding healing after a sports injury.

A workout injury can happen to anyone, no matter your experience or fitness level. Even walking can cause an injury. But you can significantly cut your risk of getting hurt by following certain workout precautions.

For this kind of massage, the therapist places warmed stones on certain areas of the body, such as acupressure points.

The stones may be used as massage tools or be temporarily left in place.

Used along with other massage techniques, hot stones can be quite soothing and relaxing as they transmit heat deep into the body.

Heat has long been used to ease muscle tension and pain. It helps increase blood flow to the affected area. It may also reduce muscle spasms and increase flexibility and range of motion. Cold therapy helps relieve inflammation. Depending on your symptoms, alternating hot and cold stones during your massage may be helpful.

Massage may be serious medicine, at least when it comes to treating persistent low back pain, a new study shows.

Low back pain is one of the top reasons people seek medical attention in the U.S., and it is notoriously tough to treat. Studies show very few medical therapies, from medications to injections to surgeries, reliably relieve it, and some can aggravate the problem.

A study randomly assigned 400 adults with moderate-to-severe low back pain lasting for at least three months to either weekly whole-body massages for relaxation, weekly massages that focused on specific muscle problems around the lower back and hips, or usual care.

Ever gone to a county fair, music festival, or conference and envied other people getting chair massages?

Passed by the chair massage section in an airport? Or maybe, you're lucky enough to work at a company that offers 15- to 20-minute massages as a regular benefit.

Onsite, chair massages are done while you're seated fully clothed in a portable, specially designed chair. They usually involve a massage of your neck, shoulders, back, arms, and hands.