The Swedish Massage has been around for a long time. It was first created back in 1812 in the University of Stockholm by a physiologist named Henri Peter Ling. Swedish massage is synonymous with massage itself because it is the most common. In Europe it is called the “Classic Massage”. When you go get a massage especially in spas and do not specify a type of massage, chances are it will be the Swedish massage since it is the most taught and used by the masseuse or therapist. One of the primary goals of the Swedish massage technique is to relax the entire body. This is accomplished by rubbing the muscles with long gliding strokes in the direction of blood returning to the heart. A typical Swedish massage usually consists of five types of moves. They can be used in any order and is part of the basics of Swedish massage.
1. Effleurage – making long and gliding strokes along the body. The rubbing and pushing of the muscles helps you relax plus reduce tension and stress levels. It has many other health benefits as well as increases the circulation of blood flow to the heart. Great for the upper back, neck, and shoulders. This is the most common move used in many massages. 2. Petrissage– Simply explaining this technique it looks like you are kneading dough. It works on your muscle tension and unwind. The kneading and squeezing motion of this technique gets rid of and smooths out any sort of lumps or impure substances from the muscle so it will be efficient once more.
3. Tapotement – This is the gentle pounding of the body like the motion you are drumming. There are many ways to form your hands for the drumming. The way you form your hand produces a different sound from slapping to chopping to cupping. This is a very noisy move and is usually used at the end of a massage session as it helps wake you up if you became sleepy.
4. Vibration – This is the rhythmic and rapid shaking of the body. Great for the neck and shoulders. Normally this is done by a therapists’ hands but there are now devices that provide the same vibration from cushions and chairs. It has a very good feeling sensation and you can fall asleep to this very easily.
5. Friction – Circular and/or transverse frictions using thumbs, fingers or elbows may be used with care to break down adhesions and scarring in the muscle fibres. Today there are many types of massages available. From deep tissue massage to sports massage, many of these massages of which were based from the foundation of the Swedish massage.
