What is Swedish Massage?

If you ask to have a massage without further discussion or a massage for rest and relaxation, you will receive a Swedish massage. Initially developed in Sweden in the early 19th century, Swedish massage uses oils or lotions and gentle manipulations of the skin and superficial muscles to relax the muscles and improve blood circulation. It is the most common form of massage used in America; it is also sometimes called "therapeutic massage," though that term is used by many to describe medical massages. Swedish massage forms the basis for many other types of massage.

STROKES

Five different types of strokes are used:

• Long, flowing strokes called effleurage are the primary strokes used in a Swedish massage. They are predominantly done in the direction of the heart. These strokes really result in the "feel good" sensation of the massage. They assist in improving the venous flow of blood back to the heart.
• Kneading strokes called petrissage occur when the massage therapist lifts the skin and muscle below and lightly squeezes, rolls or twists the tissue, just like a baker does when kneading bread dough. Petrissage has the effect of mechanically relaxing tight muscles and it also enhances the flow of blood and oxygen to and waste products away from the tissues.
• Tapping strokes called tapotement are done with the fingers [tapping], cupped hands [cupping], the little finger side of the hands [hacking], the palm of the hands [slapping], or fists. Tapotement is generally done when the massage therapist has finished with the massage on a specific part of the body or at the end of the massage to help "awaken" or stimulate the client. It can be very light such as tapping on the face or "heavy" when hacking or cupping on the back. Not every massage therapist will use tapotement, and many will use it sparingly.
• Friction is done either in a circular motion or across the fiber of the muscle by one or several fingertips while moving the skin. It is a very rapid movement to mechanically relax a very tight muscle, a knot in a muscle or tightness at the muscle’s tendon. This is a deeper stroke, the deepest used in Swedish massage. It brings blood to a specific area of a muscle/tendon. Done for a long period of time, it can result in a controlled inflammatory response. During a Swedish massage, friction would be used only for a few seconds and not too many times.
• Vibration is a rapid side-to-side movement of the hand or fingertips while the hand is gliding or in one spot; it is in effect shaking the tissue. In Swedish massage, its primary purpose is to break up the monotony of the massage. It also"wakes up" the nerves that may have been put "to sleep" during effleurage; this enables the body to respond better to the stimulation of the other strokes.

While not specifically a stroke, the massage therapist may also move the client’s joints. This can be either active with the client doing the movement while the massage therapist applies pressure or massages tissue at the joint. Or it can be passive where the massage therapist moves the joint. This is often done to increase the range through which the client can move a joint (referred to as range of motion) where there is some restriction.

BENEFITS

I have already mentioned improving circulation, providing relaxation, relieving tight muscles, removing waste products, and improved range of motion of joints. A previous post extensively discussed the benefits of massage. All of these apply to Swedish massage.

WHO SHOULD NOT HAVE A SWEDISH MASSAGE?

There are times when it is not in the client’s best interest to have a Swedish massage:

• Illness (acute illness, diseases contagious or not)
• Running a temperature
• Recently broke a bone or had surgery
• Under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Recent history of phlebitis or thrombosis (these are conditions where the client may have blood clots which if dislodged could travel to the lungs, with potentially fatal results).
• Too sore, and/or achy, and/or bruised for example, after a car accident.

Sources:

1. Mosby’s Fundamentals of Therapeutic Massage by Sandy Fritz, 2004.
2. Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine, http://www.answers.com/topic/swedish-massage
3. "Swedish Massage - The Right Therapy to Relax Muscles, http://www.alternateheals.com/massage-therapy/swedish-body-massage.htmhttp://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_mOFKA/is_n3_v59/ai_19182310
4. http://www.touch-of-health.net/395667.html
5. http://spaworldtravel.com/gloss.html
6. http://www.freep.com/money/consumer/gsidea11_20010211.htm