There are many different types of massage. You will see aromatherapy massage offered by beauty salons in particular and the strokes of their treatment are in the main long sweeping strokes, mainly designed to warm the muscles and to soothe. My treatments include a wonderfully relaxing and beneficial lymphatic drainage routine designed to encourage blood and lymph flow, in particular to the areas holding tension and stiffness.The rest of the treatment benefits of course come from the essential oils themselves. Most massages will use a carrier of some description to alleviate the friction between the skin and the masseur’s hands.