Swedish Massage Therapy

If you are new to a spa, one of the things you need care about is choosing the best massage. This in turn means you have to know about the different types of massage styles available in spas and other facilities offering such services. This post aims at discussing the most common and perhaps the most beneficial type of message referred to as Swedish Massage. 

What is Swedish Massage?

Swedish massage is a style that combines a variety of hands-on techniques including kneading, gliding as well as cross-friction to break up muscle adhesions (also known as muscle knots). It differs from the other types massage (mainly Asian) since it is based on western concepts of physiology and anatomy instead of energy work. Depending on the therapist’s aims, the massage can be gentle and slow, or bracing and vigorous. 

You could be wondering why this message is referred to as Swedish yet it features western concepts of human anatomy and physiology. The technique is the brainchild of Per Henrik Ling (1776-1839) from Smaaland, Sweden, a physiologist and fencing master. Since Swedish massage is scientific, it requires to be performed by qualified and licensed massage therapist. The therapist uses a special massage oil to lubricate the skin with the process taking 50 to 60 minutes for whole body massage. 

The Swedish Massage Techniques 

As already been mentioned, this massage style is based on western medical concepts and it aims at relieving tension in the muscles thereby energizing, relaxing and rejuvenating. It may also with muscle injury following physical exercises. The following are the techniques commonly used in this style of massage: 

Effleurage

This is a French word referring to skim’ or to touch lightly on’. It is used in Swedish massage and characterized by smooth, gliding stroke used to relax soft tissue. 

Petrissage


This is a French word meaning to knead’ and refers to massage movements with applied pressure that are deep and compressing the underlying muscles. This technique is supposed to come right after the effleurage.

Friction


This technique uses deep, circular motions or movements causing layers of superficial and deep tissues to rub against each other thereby increasing blood flow and to stimulate healing of scar tissue. 

Tapotement


This rhythmic percussion is usually administered with the edge of the hands, tip of the fingers or a cupped hand. The types of Tapotement include hacking (uses edge of hand on pinky finger side), beating (closed fist lightly hitting area), tapping (uses just fingertips), slapping (uses of fingers to gently slap), and cupping (hand made to look like cup gently taps the area).