Massage ASMR gives you tingles!
What is ASMR Massage?
ASMR massage videos are one of the most popular ways to trigger ASMR tingles by stimulating the visual and aural senses through massaging techniques such as effleurage, tapotement , kneading and sports massage – viewed on a screen and heard aurally.
I thought it would be useful to have a look at the main features of ASMR massage videos, and what the key triggers are.
And we highlight some of the ASMR massage artists that create some really unique, interesting and tingle friendly content for you.
Key Features & Triggers of Massage ASMR
Like barbering, massages, while in theory is seemingly quite a straight forward process, there are so many variations and methods out there.
Massage actually offers many ways for people to experience ASMR through experiencing it whether directly in real life or by watching a video.
Massages are by their nature very relaxing which helps set the scene for trigger moments. And they are typically a bit longer in duration than some other ASMR videos with many lasting well over 30 minutes to an hour or more.
Body Massage
Typically this will be a ‘Swedish Massage‘, which is more of a relaxing massage often using longer flowing strokes, effleurage, in order to warm the body and muscles up. This hand on skin contact, soothing sounds of the brushing of hand against skin and general hand movements are really good for triggering ASMR.
Trigger types: whispering, brushing, spraying, hand movements, scratching, sticky sounds, manipulation, close contact, skin on skin contact, oil on skin
Sports Massage
This is a much more energetic and physically engaged massage. Often looking to resolve muscle issues, relieve pain and increase flexibility through a deeper contact using increased pressure and often manipulation of the affected area or limbs.
From an ASMR point of view this deeper contact is often filmed in close up. So while the manipulation and movements can be a bit quicker than those of a typical Swedish massage they are still very relaxing.
Trigger types: brushing, spraying, hand movements, scratching, sticky sounds, measuring, manipulation, close contact, skin on skin contact
Thai Massage
These are typically a more full on style of massage, usually conducted on the floor to allow for a greater range of body movements. And you will usually be fully clothed, albeit with loose fitting clothes to allow for those extreme body manipulations.
The Thai massage is likely to be far more intense than a Swedish massage and even a sports massage. Although it does depend on your massage practitioner and your own tolerance for pain! Probably more aligned with yoga than traditional massages.
From an ASMR point of view the rustle of clothes, the close ups, the focus and the manipulations as well as the often very nice settings make for some great trigger opportunities.
Trigger types: body manipulation, brushing, spraying, hand movements, scratching, close contact, skin on skin contact
Cupping
Mainly used in Asia but can be seen in use in the Middle East and South America cupping is often the ‘main course‘ in terms of a massage. It involves heating cups or glass bowls to create a vacuum and therefore suction when quickly applied to the skin. There are some cupping tools that do not require heating but operate using a pump to extract the air and create the vacuum.
Sometimes the cups are manipulated to stretch the skin. Particularly on the back and feet as it is a form of deep tissue massage primarily aimed at relaxation. Therefore improving blood flow and relieving localised pain.
ASMR triggers can be generated with the application of the cups, movement of the cups and the ritualistic nature of the cupping process.
Trigger types: flame lighting, brushing, cupping, whispering, scratching, close contact, skin stretching, oil on skin, rubbing
Moxibustion
This Chinese based application is often used as part of a massage session. The heating, usually of mugwort but also ceramic implements, in order to apply indirect heat to specific parts of the body. Thereby assisting acupuncture and increasing the flow of ‘Qi’.
For ASMR moxibustion is a very soothing process, sometimes quite ritualistic, with the focus on close but no direct contact between the heat source and the skin.
Trigger types: flame lighting, sticky sounds, manipulation, close contact, skin on skin contact, oil on skin, skin pulling, car sounds, white noise, horns
Chair Massage
This seems to be gaining in popularity with increased output from Turkey. The chair massage is usually in a specialist massage chair which supports the body.
But also exposes the back, head, legs, arms and hands. Massages usually take place fully clothed but occasionally direct contact with the skin, on the back and arms, takes place.
I find that the best ASMR triggers are when the pressure of the massage rubs the clothes against the skin. The friction between the hands, clothes and skin creates amazing brushing sounds.
Trigger types: patting, brushing, hand movements, scratching, sticky sounds, close contact, skin on skin contact, cracks, pops
Limpia
Limpia was fairly new to me until a couple of years ago. But the number of ASMR artists and channels now providing content is growing rapidly, and with good reason.
Essentially Limpia is a process of cleansing of impurities and clearing the mind of negativity. How this manifests itself is that the person receiving the treatment is usually seated, often outdoors. And the they are lightly beaten (doesn’t hurt!) with local flowers infused with essential oils.
Once this has been done a more traditional head, shoulder, chest arm and leg massage takes place.
Trigger types: brushing, spraying, hand movements, scratching, sticky sounds, close contact, skin on skin contact, oil on skin, manipulation, water sounds, rustling, wind
Turkish Massage
The Turkish or Hammam massage is something I really want to try. Used as way to exfoliate and cleanse the skin to rid it of impurities. This is usually conducted in a very warm tiled room where the therapist (Tellak) works up a lot of foam. And then applies this on top of the body and scrubs using a mitt (Kese) to complete the exfoliation. And finally followed by a massage to release any tension and relax you.
There is often a steam bath taken first and you are usually given a good rinse afterwards. For ASMR triggers the foaming, massaging, scrubbing and rinsing all offer really good trigger points and it all looks incredibly relaxing!
Trigger types: water sounds, brushing, spraying, hand movements, scratching, sticky sounds, manipulation, close contact, skin on skin contact, rustling, dripping taps
Back Scratching
This can really set off people’s ASMR. Often done as a stand alone massage or sometimes incorporated into the main massage back scratching is gaining in popularity.
Quite often the setting for this will be on a chair with the back of the person being scratched facing the camera. And with the masseuse to one side or directly in front of the chair so the viewer gets a good view of the massage.
Typically the back scratching will start at the nape of the neck and work its way down onto the arms with the masseuse using their finger nails. And sometimes tools such as back scratchers, rolling pins, paint brushes, are also used to compliment the experience.
Binaural microphones make great ASMR sounds
The sounds of the scratching, binaural microphones are often used in these videos. The fingernails pulling down on the skin and the typically slow and repetitive nature of the back scratching. These all ensure some good ASMR triggers.
Trigger types: scratching, brushing, spraying, sticky sounds, manipulation, close contact, skin on skin contact, nails on skin, skin pulling, back scratchers
Alternative Massage ASMR types & triggers
Hand movements
Obviously massages are very ‘hands on‘ which leads to lots of bushing, stroking, feeling, pumping, manipulating and applying pressure across the body. These movement can generate ASMR moments for many people.
Close personal attention
Massages by nature are very intimate and quite precise in their movements and application so this level of detail and focus often leads to ASMR triggers.
Locations
Locations of the massages vary quite a lot and can often provide their own ASMR triggers. While many are conducted in Spas a fair number often take place in peoples house or even outside. Limpia in particular occurs mainly outside whether in a marketplace, in a historic garden or in the country by a river.
So for example the sounds of the rivers running by in the Limpia videos or the sound of passing traffic in the cupping video – all amazingly great triggers!
We hope that you have found this information useful, we will be adding in more types of massage as we discover them. We know this isn’t the finite list!
Before you go here is a handpicked post, just for you!
Check out this post on Ear Cleaning. It was all new to me before I got into ASMR and there are some really good tingles to be had from watching someone have their ears cleaned and massaged!