The Swedish Massage

By Matilda French

The Swedish massage is the most common massage technique and is widely practiced in a lot of spas. This technique combines several hands on techniques such as gliding, kneading and cross fiber friction to break up muscles and knots.

The Swedish massage is a massage technique that can be slow, smooth and gentle or vigorous and strong. This would depend mostly on the needs of the client and the effect the therapist wants to achieve. In a Swedish massage, the therapist usually makes use of massage oil blends in a massage session lasting an average of 50 to 60 minutes for a full body massage.

This technique was developed by Swedish physiologist, Per Henrik Ling in Sweden. He named it the medical gymnastics but was known all across Europe as the Swedish movements and in the US as the Swedish movements cure. Modern day terminology has however, designated it the Swedish massage.

This massage technique is used in integrative therapies to promote health and well-being through a series of massage and other holistic therapies. Swedish massage is practiced by professional and licensed therapists in hospitals and in spas. It is so widely recommended because of how efficiently it works on the body.

How Swedish massage works

The traditional and modern Swedish massage makes use of five main strokes. It also incorporates many variations of these strokes and combines them to achieve relaxing and healing results. The main strokes are effleurage, petrissage, friction, tapotement and vibration or shaking.

Effleurage is practiced at the beginning and involves long strokes straight down the back from the neck to the hips. The therapist either uses the thumb pad or the whole hand and this is to stimulate the person receiving the massage and to get the body ready for a more concrete massage.

Petrissage consist of kneading, pressing, lifting and squeezing of the muscles off the bones. This quickly releases toxins from the muscles and improves circulation.

The friction technique is the use of deeper penetrating transverse or circular motions, which help release the knot-like adhesions in muscles and around the joints. The result of this is easier movement of joints and muscles. The therapist makes use of finger tips or the thumb to perform this massage.

Tapotement makes use of percussive movements with the hand by striking or tapping the muscles with fingertips or edge of the hand. This releases tight and cramped muscles and helps relax any spasm.

Vibration or shaking can be relaxing or stimulating depending on the degree of pressure applied on the back or limbs. This is done by the end of the general body massage and is used to get the muscles and bones to settle in place after an hour of massage. This feels very good for the patients and is used to rest the body.

The Swedish massage is used to improve the blood flow, allowing for the easier flow of oxyen and nutrients around the body. This is useful in getting rid of toxins and also in stimulating the nervous system. A full body Swedish massage is a healing and restorative experience.

About the Author: I write for AML Stone Source, the leading

hot stone massage kit

supplies provider. They carry products such as

massage stones

, as well as many other accessories for hot and cold stone therapy.

Source:

isnare.com

Permanent Link:

isnare.com/?aid=698758&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet