Curious about the different types of massage – and which one is your perfect match? Find out what sets each style apart, from classic Swedish Massage to soul-soothing Hot Stone Massage, and get expert tips for choosing the right treatment for you.
Massage therapy has been trusted for centuries to ease tension, lift moods, and support overall wellbeing. With so many styles out there, choosing the right massage can feel like picking your favourite treat – there’s truly something for everyone. At Gaia Day Spa, we specialise in the classic comforts of Swedish Massage and Hot Stone Massage, and we love helping clients discover all that massage can offer. This guide introduces our signature therapies, followed by a tour of the other popular types of massage from around the world.
Swedish Massage: Relaxation at its best
If you’ve ever wondered what people mean when they talk about a “classic” massage, chances are they’re thinking of Swedish Massage. Of all the types of massage, Swedish Massage is famous for its long, flowing strokes, gentle kneading, and rhythmic tapping, all designed to calm your mind and leave your muscles feeling loose and refreshed.
At Gaia Day Spa, our Swedish Massage is anything but one-size-fits-all. Before your session, your expert beauty therapist will talk with you about how you’re feeling, what you want to focus on, and what kind of pressure you enjoy. Whether you’ve had a tough week, a big workout, or you just need some time out, Swedish Massage is a reliable way to hit reset. You’ll leave the table feeling lighter, more comfortable in your body, and ready to take on whatever comes next.
Hot Stone Massage: For comfort and calm
For those who crave deep warmth and next-level relaxation, Hot Stone Massage is a client favourite – especially when the weather is chilly (we recommend this one in winter!). During this massage treatment, your therapist uses smooth, heated stones to massage the muscles, as well as placing stones on key points to gently warm and loosen tension. The heat allows your muscles to relax more deeply, making it easier to work out knots without any extra discomfort.
At Gaia Day Spa, Hot Stone Massage is all about comfort, safety, and deep, soothing relief. Our therapists use only high-quality stones, and we always check the temperature so you don’t need to worry about the stones being too hot or burning you. If you’re looking for a truly restorative experience, Hot Stone Massage is a wonderful way to unwind and let your body fully relax.
Other popular types of massage: What else is out there?
Swedish Massage and Hot Stone Massage are the heart of our treatment menu, but we know everyone’s needs are different. Here’s a closer look at some other types of massage you might encounter, each with its own unique benefits. (These are only some of the different styles out there – there are many more than we can possibly write about!)
Deep Tissue Massage
If regular massage just isn’t quite getting to the root of your tension, Deep Tissue Massage may be what you need. This style goes beyond the surface, using slower, more focussed pressure to target deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue. Your therapist will use hands, forearms, elbows, and sometimes knuckles to work on stubborn knots and old injuries.
Deep Tissue Massage is popular with athletes, people recovering from injuries, and anyone whose muscles tend to hold on to stress. While it can feel a little intense at times, a good Deep Tissue Massage session should never be overly painful, and most people leave feeling looser, more mobile, and with much less discomfort than when they arrived.
Aromatherapy Massage
For an experience that engages all your senses, Aromatherapy Massage is a lovely way to combine gentle bodywork with the power of essential oils. Typically, before your session, you’ll choose from a range of oils, some calm, some energise, and others simply smell fantastic. Sometimes your massage therapist will suggest particular massage oils if you are wanting a certain experience, such as relaxing or feeling revitalised.
Your therapist will blend your chosen oils into a massage that’s gentle and flowing, letting you breathe in the soothing scents as your muscles unwind. Many clients find aromatherapy helps with mood, stress, and even sleep. It can be a lovely sensory experience.
Sports Massage
You don’t have to be a pro athlete to benefit from Sports Massage – it’s for anyone with an active lifestyle, from gym regulars to weekend warriors. This treatment blends classic massage strokes with stretches, compression, and targeted techniques to help prevent injury, improve flexibility, and speed up recovery after exercise. It can be similar to Deep Tissue Massage or can include techniques you’d find in other types of massage, but generally this is a more targeted kind of massage you might find in a physio clinic.
Reflexology Massage
Sometimes the key to feeling better is literally at your feet. Reflexology is based on the idea that certain points on your feet, hands, or ears correspond to different organs and systems in your body. By applying gentle, precise pressure to these points, reflexology aims to restore balance and encourage the body’s natural healing. The experience of a Reflexology Massage, compared to other types of massage, can be somewhat different – your reflexologist will spend a great deal of time on certain points on your feet, and it can sometimes feel a little intense, but usually recipients feel relaxed and refreshed afterward. It’s important to go to a qualified and trained reflexologist for this kind of massage.
Pregnancy Massage
Pregnancy is a time of big changes, and your body deserves extra care. Pregnancy Massage is specially designed to provide relief from common discomforts like back pain, leg cramps, and swollen feet, all in a safe and nurturing environment. Not all types of massage are suitable for pregnancy, and Pregnancy Massage is designed to be safe and soothing, using supportive cushions and positions that are comfortable for your growing body, and ensuring that all techniques and products like massage oils or creams are safe for pregnancy.
If you’re pregnant and considering getting a massage, check with your lead maternity caregiver to find out whether there are any restrictions you should know about. For example, massage is not recommended during certain stages of pregnancy. Please also check with your massage therapist before you book to make sure they know how to carry out safe pregnancy massage.
Indian Head Massage
Sometimes stress sits right at the top – think tight necks, tired eyes, and tension headaches. Indian Head Massage is a soothing treatment for the scalp, face, neck, and shoulders. The therapist uses gentle kneading, rhythmic strokes, and pressure point work to ease away tension and help you feel clear-headed again. It can be helpful for people who work at computers or desks all day, people who are studying or reading a lot, or if you wear your hair tied back or tied up tightly. This type of massage can be carried out with our without oil.
Balinese Massage
Inspired by the wellness traditions of Bali, Balinese Massage brings together long strokes, gentle stretching, acupressure, and aromatic oils for a holistic, deeply relaxing experience. This style is designed to boost circulation, ease tension, and create a sense of harmony between body and mind. If you’ve ever visited Bali – and let’s face it, many Kiwis have or are planning to! – you’d be familiar with this type of massage. It balances relaxation with gentle invigoration.
Thai Massage
For those seeking something truly different from the other types of massage, Thai Massage is both relaxing and energising. Performed on a mat or a special bed while you wear comfortable clothes, your massage therapist uses assisted stretching, acupressure, and rhythmic compression to gently move your body, release tension, and restore natural balance. Thai Massage is great for flexibility, posture, and overall mobility. It’s sometimes called “lazy yoga” because your therapist does the stretching for you, helping you feel open, aligned, and refreshed.
Cupping Therapy (not quite one of the types of massage, but related!)
Cupping Therapy is an ancient practice that’s recently made a comeback in the wellness world, and can be combined with some types of massage by trained therapists. Special cups are placed on the skin to create gentle suction, which encourages blood flow and can help loosen tight muscles. Some people notice temporary circle-shaped marks after cupping. These fade over a week or two, and are painless, although they can create an interesting pattern on your skin! Cupping can be especially helpful for clients with chronic tension or those curious about traditional therapies.
Why Gaia Day Spa focusses on Swedish Massage and Hot Stone Massage
With all the amazing types of massage available, you might wonder why we’ve chosen to make Swedish Massage and Hot Stone Massage our specialities. For our small and skilled team, it’s about offering treatments that work for a wide range of people and needs, with results you can really feel.
Swedish Massage is gentle, effective, and endlessly adaptable – perfect for relaxation, stress relief, and everyday muscle tension. Hot Stone Massage brings a deeper level of comfort, using soothing heat to help even the most stubborn knots melt away. Both treatments can be adjusted in terms of pressure, duration, and focus, making them accessible and safe for nearly everyone. By specialising in these techniques, we ensure our therapists have the highest level of skill, so every massage is as good as the last.
How to choose the right types of massage for you
Choosing what you prefer from all the types of massage is a personal decision. If you’re looking for gentle relaxation and stress relief, Swedish Massage is always a safe bet. If you need deep warmth and a little extra comfort, Hot Stone Massage could be your new favourite. If you’re not sure, talk to our friendly beauty therapists – we are happy to explain the different types of massage we offer and to answer your questions about what to expect.
What to expect from a massage at Gaia Day Spa
Before you arrive, your therapist will prepare a calm, private space, with fresh linens, gentle music, and carefully selected products. When you walk through our doors, our aim is to make you feel welcome and at ease. Every massage therapy appointment starts with a brief chat about how you’re feeling, your pressure preferences, and what you hope to get out of your massage session. You’ll be asked to disrobe, leaving your underwear on, and to slip between the covers on the massage bed.
During your massage, your comfort and privacy are our top priorities. We will make sure to keep private areas of your body draped, and when you turn over, we’ll hold up the sheet so that you can turn in privacy and get comfortable again.
Feel free to speak up about pressure, temperature, or anything else that would help you enjoy your treatment. If you fall asleep, we will gently wake you up when it’s over! After your session, we encourage you to take your time, enjoy a glass of water, and leave feeling truly refreshed.
The benefits of regular massage
Massage is more than just a treat. It’s an investment in your wellbeing. Over time, regular massage treatments can help reduce stress, improve sleep, support better posture, and keep your body moving comfortably. Many of our clients find that monthly or fortnightly sessions help them feel their best, both physically and mentally.
At Gaia Day Spa, we love seeing the difference massage can make. Whether you come in for a one-off treat or a regular appointment, our therapists are here to support you in building healthy, lasting self-care habits.
Ready to book that massage?
Massage therapy offers something for everyone: Relaxation, relief from discomfort, or simply a quiet hour away from the world. At Gaia Day Spa, you’ll find a welcoming space, caring therapists, and treatments designed with you in mind. To book your next massage or ask about which style is right for you, get in touch with our team or make an appointment using our online booking system here.