We Asked: What is your favorite type of massage to receive, and why?

Here is what you told us...

A therapeutic deep-tissue massage. As a massage therapist who specializes in that same type of massage, I see the benefits of it with my clients on a daily basis. For my own problem areas, I’ve found that therapists who use deeper techniques have been best in providing the long-lasting results for me that I also expect my clients to enjoy.
Howard Northrup
Satellite Beach, Florida

My favorite is with a couple of therapists I have found who are in it with their full hearts, not because this is what they make a living out of but because they are passionate. I have two therapists, and how they provide the work just nourishes me.
Joy Bernstein
San Antonio, Texas

Hot-stone massage. There’s nothing like those hot stones penetrating into your muscles and working out all the stress and knots. I like giving them too, because holding the hot stones makes your hands feel better, too.
Catherine Niccolai
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

I hurt because of poor body mechanics and a bad bed. I want someone to do medical massage on those aching muscles, to pay attention to the places that hurt, and not do a spa massage. I want muscles touched, moved, flexed, cleared of trigger points and tension; I want the talking to be about the level of ease, the places still tight and what is going to happen next. I want someone to work on my body with me and let me leave whole, refreshed [and mobile]. I don’t go for bodywork to have a gentle Swedish rub-and-buff. I go to get my muscles back in fighting condition.
Kate Dvorak
Brownwood, Texas

LaStone massages in between Swedish massages that include a lot of stretching. Shiatsu with the feet is also wonderful.
Amber Taylor
Beaufort, South Carolina

A Swedish with deep tissue. It is my weekly hour away just to myself to be pampered and have all the knots from the workweek melted away—or jack-hammered, depending on how tight I am.
Lori Sidebottom
Newton, Kansas

My favorite type of a massage is not composed of just one modality, but of a well-blended selection of a few. When the therapist first places his or her hands on me and immediately connects with what is going on in the tissue, I know that I am safe, and my body begins to let go. As I relax into the session, I am able to go into a deep state of meditation, and my muscles respond by lengthening and releasing toxins. When the session comes to an end, I know that it has been wonderful as all the little endorphins signal how nice I feel … almost floating. It is such a wonderful feeling to have a massage like that, but it does not have a name. It has love, presence, experience and a special gift of touch.
Linda Goodbrake
Falls Church, Virginia

Deep tissue is my all-time favorite. Specializing in deep tissue myself, I know it works wonders. You just have to always remember to breathe through it. In this modality it stands true, “no pain, no gain.” Even though it hurts through that 60- to 90-minute treatment, the aftermath is worth it all. The range of motion brought back to the body and the refreshing detox makes deep tissue one I cannot do without.
Gin Endzinas
Mesa, Arizona

Swedish massage. I am so stressed with running a day spa that all I want to do is relax after a long day, and Swedish massage gets me relaxed and ready for a good night’s sleep.
Liz Craft
St. Cloud, Florida

Pfrimmer Deep Muscle Therapy. The reason I love Pfrimmer is that the cross-fiber technique makes my body feel more open afterward. I have chronic muscle tension in my rhomboids, pectorals and trapezius areas. This type of massage has been the most effective to increase the length of time before the tension rears its ugly head again.
Michelle Dunham
Champaign, Illinois

A myofascial massage. I am very active and always on the go. I tend to have restrictions and decreased mobility and flexibility in the hip and low-back area, from running and various activities in my life. My therapist always works out my restrictions, and I gain so much flexibility back after a session with her.
Lori-Ann A. Gallant-Heilborn
Warwick, Rhode Island

Myofascial work. It stretches and connects me, letting me feel free and unrestricted. I have found it is the perfect work for me to maintain a full-time career in massage therapy and feel aligned with my true self.
Sabrina McKinney
Roseville, California

Zen shiatsu. I enjoy the energy work involved with working the meridians and the flexibility and range-of-motion components. The treatment [tones], invigorates and centers me.
Jon Ralston
Tucson, Arizona

My idea of a really good massage is one that gets into the muscles: Deep tissue, Rolfing, or a massage that addresses the reason that the body is complaining. I have really dense muscles. I am willing to hurt a little bit so that the reasons are released. This way of thinking and allowing gets to the very core and I go on with my life with burdens lifted and a basic spring in my attitude and body. I am rejuvenated and happy.
Nancy K. Brown
Oregon City, Oregon

A Swedish massage, because I feel it is the most relaxing of the various types of massage available. Deep tissue works wonders on trigger points, but it’s not always the most relaxing, even though it is usually what is needed most often. For simple relaxation massage, it has to be Swedish.
Colin Sutherland
Modesto, California

Tuina acupressure, because it retrains the muscles’ dysfunction and releases tension. It helps to facilitate the body’s ability to rebalance and heal itself.
Kandice Cochrane
Farmington, New Mexico

My favorite massage comes from therapists that have a touch that is between a Swedish massage and a deep-tissue massage. I have found that asking for a Swedish massage can sometimes leave little to be desired. There are some therapists who have a little heavier touch that releases the muscles, relieves stress and pain, and also relaxes.
Christine Morgan
Salt Lake City, Utah

Editor's note: Part One of the responses to this question ran in the August/September issue.