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Swedish Massage Therapy
Swedish massage therapy is often thought of as the standard
form of massage therapy. Certainly, Swedish massage is one of the
most common forms of massage taught in massage therapy schools in the United States. It is
readily available in many clinics, spas, and chiropractic offices.
But, what exactly is Swedish massage? Swedish massage therapy involves a "whole body" massage which is thought to provide the client with a wide range of benefits (see below). A typical massage session may last from one to one and a half hours. Swedish massage makes use of a variety of techniques to relax the muscles and promote circulation. It is thought to release toxins from the body’s muscles and increase the flow of oxygen. Therapists providing Swedish massage, employ techniques that apply strokes with pressure in the direction the blood would flow as it returns to a person’s heart. During a massage, therapists make use several massage techniques along with five main strokes: *
Gliding which is called Effleurage First, the therapist concentrates on basic relaxation. To do so the massage therapist would use gliding strokes with the palms, fingertips, or thumbs. This is the Effleurage stroke. Use of the Effleurage stroke, gives the therapist a chance to find muscles that are particularly tense. It also gives the client time to get comfortable with the setting and the therapist. Later, the massage therapist initiates kneading with the fingers, thumbs, or hands. This is the Petrissage stroke. By using the Petrissage stroke, the massage therapist is striving for still deeper relaxation of the client's muscles in preparation for more intense massage. For more information on strokes used, see massage therapy technique page.
According to proponents of Swedish massage therapy, its benefits include:
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