Sensual massage vs erotic massage

The human body has a tremendous capacity to experience pleasure through its five senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, and, above all, touch. By using those senses in a conscious and meaningful way, you can bring joy and pleasures and, at the same time, increase the depth of intimacy in your relationship.

When exploring the topic of pleasurable touching of your partner, you are likely to come across such expressions as erotic or sensual massage. Although words sensual and erotic are closely linked in terms of this context, there are some differences. 

What’s the difference between sensual and erotic massage?

By definition, sensual is related to or involves gratification of the senses and physical, especially sexual, pleasure. (Freely defined according to the Oxford English Dictionary).

Sensual massage is an effective way to build intimacy and closeness with your partner. The idea behind sensual massage is that you are giving pleasure through touch to your partner. One person is the giver, and the other person is the recipient. It is a key factor to keep in mind because if you offer to give your partner a massage just to get something started, it’s not really a massage. This way, the “massage” is foreplay, and that’s great if both participants agree so. In the sense of Sensual massage, the recipient shouldn’t feel obligated to anything afterward. 

Word erotic is related to or tended to arouse sexual desire or excitement. As the definition suggests, it refers more directly to sexual pleasures and also to intercourse.

Although erotic massage, like sensual massage, implies giving sexual pleasures through touching, erotic massage is more of copying the sexual act. 

So, if sensual massage is focused on reaching sexual excitement, arousal, or deep relaxation, the erotic massage is more like the sexual act itself but not in a traditional way. The sensual massage can be performed all over the partner’s body; erotic massage focuses on the most sensitive body region.

If you consider intimacy and closeness as something meaningful in your relationship, sensual massage might be just the right amount of spice you could add to your bedroom. Although we all know that physical attraction is usually the first thing that gets you together with your partner, it’s usually not the reason why you’re in it in the long-term.

Relationship counselors, therapists, and long-term partners agree a great relationship requires an effort. But the good news is not all of the efforts have to be hard; instead, it can be fun and pleasurable. And if you’re now thinking of where to start, take a look at our massage courses.