Which massage works best for relaxation, pain relief or muscle tension? (2025)

Healing hands giving you a massage after a hard week of work or a strenuous workout sounds enticing, particularly as Luxembourg has a plethora of professional massage places.

But what type of massage is best for releasing tension or stress, and is it different to one designed to promote emotional wellbeing or better body circulation?

With so many options – from Swedish or Thai, deep-tissue, lymphatic drainage, aromatherapy, and even hot stones – we talked to two professional masseuses in Luxembourg to help you navigate the options and choose a massage that meets your requirements.

With so many options – from Swedish or Thai, deep-tissue, lymphatic drainage, aromatherapy, and even hot stones – we talked to two professional masseuses in Luxembourg to help you navigate the options and choose a massage that meets your requirements.

Cynthia Arief is a certified spa and aesthetic therapist with more than a decade of experience in Luxembourg and internationally. She founded Serenity Bali Beauty & Massage which operates from the Mercure Luxembourg Kikouka Golf and Spa in Canach.

What are the benefits of massage?

“Massage enhances both the physical and emotional wellbeing by improving circulation, easing muscle tension, reducing stress, and supporting the immune function by promoting mental clarity,” she said, adding it’s a powerful tool for holistic health.

A massage once a month is ideal, she said, although those with high levels of stress, chronic tension or special health concerns might benefit from weekly treatment.

Arief suggested late afternoons and early evenings are the best time for relaxation-focused treatments, whilst recovery and performance enhancement treatments are most effective after workouts or on rest days.

Sixty minutes is ideal for focused treatment, whilst 90 minutes allows for a comprehensive, full-body experience with deeper therapeutic results, she said.

For each session, Arief begins with a personalised consultation to understand exact needs, followed by customised treatment. “My approach integrates technical expertise with an intuitive touch, so each client feels nurtured, balanced and renewed,” she said.

For each session, Arief begins with a personalised consultation to understand exact needs, followed by customised treatment. “My approach integrates technical expertise with an intuitive touch, so each client feels nurtured, balanced and renewed,” she said.

Camille Gatt is the founder and CEO of Massages by C, a massage therapy practice in Neudorf-Weimershof.

“At our place we don’t work with an extended list of massage types because we believe in custom-made massages,” said Gatt.

“Clients explain what they want – from relaxation to stress relief, or work on pain or sport recovery, and which parts of their body they want to work on.”

Gatt’s customers “follow their feeling” when it comes to how regularly they come for a massage.

“We have clients coming every week for pain relief, whilst others come once a month for relaxation. Usually we recommend to come every fortnight so as not to lose the benefits from the previous session, but we respect our client’s budget and time restrictions.”

Which massage for which body benefit?

For relaxation:

Arief recommends Balinese or aromatherapy massage to promote deep relaxation.

“Balinese massage blends gentle stretching, acupressure, reflexology, and flowing rhythmic strokes using both palms and thumbs. This technique is designed to stimulate energy flow, release tension and restore inner peace,” she said.

Aromatherapy, by contrast combines soothing touch with essential oils that calm the nervous system and uplift the spirit, she added.

Gatt explained that the pressure should be low to moderate for a relaxing massage, as well as the pace, “because the purpose is to relax.”

“This one is perfect if you experience stress, anxiety or tiredness,” she said.

For sports injuries and recovery:

A higher level of pressure is required for this, but softer than a deep-tissue massage, said Gatt.

“The pace will set to help every muscle recover and improve blood circulation and lymphatic fluids,” she added.

In fact, Gatt recommends this type of massage not only for sport but other unusual physical activities such as painting the walls in your home. “The lymphatic drainage will help with water retention and boost the immune system.”

Sports or deep-tissue massage can target specific muscle groups to relieve soreness, reduce inflammation and support a faster recovery, said Arief, who suggests a massage after physical exertion or training also helps improve flexibility and circulation.

For muscular tension:

“Deep tissue massage or trigger point therapy are highly affective for relieving chronic tension in areas such as the neck, shoulders and lower back,” explained Arief. These techniques work on deeper layers of muscle and fascia to release built-up stress and improve mobility.

Deep-tissue massage is very popular at Gatt’s massage centre. “It’s the massage with the highest pressure, but always adapted for your needs and pain tolerance. This is the best one if you experience neck pain from working at a desk, or if you have a limited range of motion due to a tense muscle.”

For emotional wellbeing:

Tibetan sound healing therapy uses singing bowls to create healing vibrations that balance energy and soothe the nervous system. Combine it with aromatherapy massage for emotional release and calm using essential oils, said Arief.

For circulation and energy:

Lymphatic drainage massage and traditional Balinese Boreh are both recommended by Arief to help stimulate blood flow and enhance the body’s natural detoxification processes. Boreh uses warming herbs and spices to energise the body, soothe muscles and relieve stiffness, in addition to boosting vitality and mental clarity, she said.

For chronic pain:

Arief suggests hot stone therapy, combined with deep tissue massage or the Boreh ritual as great for managing long-term pain and muscular discomfort. Heated stones promote deep muscle relaxation whilst Boreh reduces inflammation and improves circulation with its natural warming ingredients.

For pregnant women:

Gatt uses a specialised table containing a hole for the belly. “We don’t work on the belly itself but allow mum to enjoy the real massage without having to be on her side.”

Arief warned that massage on pregnant women must be performed by a certified therapist, adding that it helps ease lower back pain, reduce swelling and fatigue, and promote better sleep and overall comfort during pregnancy.

For a first-time massage:

Swedish or Balinese massages are excellent if you are new to massage therapy, said Arief, adding, “These treatments are gentle, nurturing and offer a safe and restorative introduction to the benefits of bodywork.”

For face and head:

Kobido is a face and head massage, which also works the skin for a lifting effect, said Gatt, who often combines it with a head spa which works on the head, face and scalp using water and steam to make the session more relaxing.

Both Massages by C and Serenity Bali Beauty & Massage offer couples massage, and the former can also perform parent-child or family massages.

About Camille Gatt and Cynthia Arief

Gatt started giving massages for fun when she was studying physio at LUNEX in Luxembourg. Her customers kept returning and her talents soon spread by word of mouth, so she started her massage therapy practice after getting her diploma in physiotherapy.

Unlike physiotherapy, where clients with anything from a sprained ankle to someone who has had a heavy stroke, get just 20 to 30 minutes, Gatt pointed out that massage enabled her to take more time with clients, sometimes up to 90 minutes.

Arief first worked in spas in Asia learning Eastern healing traditions and philosophies. She has several diplomas and qualifications in different massage styles. Her specialities include authentic Balinese massage, which emphasises the harmony between body, mind and spirit. She also performs the traditional Boreh ritual, Yon-Ka facial therapies and Tibetan sound healing therapy.