Swedish massage is another deep-tissue type of massage that uses five strokes – effleurage, petrissage, friction, tapotement, and vibration – to relax and rejuvenate the body. While Shiatsu focuses on stretching muscles to relieve tension in specific areas of your body, Swedish massage focuses on relaxation and soothing muscles without stretching them too much.

A Swedish massage is a relaxing massage that focuses on relaxation and stress reduction. It uses long strokes and kneading to relieve muscle tension, tendon, and ligament tension. Swedish massage can be more relaxing than Shiatsu, but it doesn’t work as deeply into your muscles or connective tissue.

Four-handed massage - also known as duo massage - is a massage where two therapists work on you at the same time, mirroring each others' movements. For example, both your legs or arms are being massaged at the same time.  Or one therapist works on the right side of your back while the other works on the left.

When done well, four-handed massage feels like you are completely enveloped in sensation and can be quite a wonderful experience.  It costs twice as much because you have two therapists, but if you're a spa junkie and like to try anything at least once, I highly recommend it. 

To synchronize, one therapist takes the lead and the other follows.  It should feel like they're doing the same thing simultaneously. It helps if they have a similar style and "touch" and have worked together before.

Four-handed massage comes out of the Ayurvedic tradition, where it is called abhyanga. Four-handed massage is trendy and has been added to spa menus at many resort spas.

A hot stone massage is a type of massage therapy. It’s used to help you relax and ease tense muscles and damaged soft tissues throughout your body.

During a hot stone massage, smooth, flat, heated stones are placed on specific parts of your body. The stones are usually made of basalt, a type of volcanic rock that retains heat. According to the University of New Hampshire Health Services, hot massage stones are heated to between 130 and 145 degrees.

The stones may be placed:

• along your spine

• on your stomach

• on your chest

• on your face

• on your palms

• on your feet and toes

Deep tissue massage therapy is similar to Swedish massage but with a deep tissue massage, your therapist applies slow, firm pressure to release muscle tension. The focus is on the deepest layers of muscle tissue, tendons, and fascia (the protective layer surrounding muscles, bones and joints).  

A couples massage is a shared experience designed for two people where each person involved receives a relaxing massage from a therapist. The massages are provided at the same time, in the same private room, but in different massage beds (one per person). The massage therapists start both massages at the same time and coordinate the treatment for the couple to ensure both parties get the same shared experience. The ambiance tends to be relaxing, dark, and calm in order to make the most out of the experience. 

And while it’s common to get a couples massage with your significant other (as part of a romantic outing or celebration), couples massages can be experienced with anyone you are close to. Friends, siblings,  or even a different relative, such as a cousin, can be the person you share this experience with. It’s meant to provide physical, mental, and health benefits to both parties, creating a bond of relaxation that will persist even after the massage is over.