What is Swedish Massage?

A Swedish Massage is the most common and best-known type of massage technique.

The relaxation of massage is very beneficial to the individual, Physically and psychologically. Human touch is very important to everyone. Swedish massage is not a deep massage but firmer than Aromatherapy massage. Not to be mistaken for Sports massage which is a very deep massage that gets right into the muscles. Swedish massage is used mainly for people who want to pamper themselves or have minor aches and pains.

Treatment

When you arrive for your massage you will be given a consultation form to fill in. This is for your own safety as well as the therapists. If you do have any contraindications this may mean the massage cannot go ahead, as the condition could be made worse by the massage. Depending on what the contraindication is, it may just mean an adaption to the massage.  On some occasions the therapist may ask you to get approval from your doctor. Again this is to cover both of you.

If you are having a full body massage you will remove clothing but leave your underwear on. (Ladies remove their bra) You have privacy whilst you are getting changed as the therapist will leave the room. You will have a towel ready on the bed for you to cover over yourself before the therapist re-enters the room.

The massage starts with long gliding strokes (effleurage), enhancing relaxation and creating warmth to the muscles. Pressure is adjusted to suit each individual client. Please let the therapist know if you are in any discomfort during the massage. (She will not be offended) The therapist cannot feel what you are feeling, and everyone is different as to what sort of pressure they can tolerate. What is firm to one person may be very light to someone else. The therapist can only go by what you tell her.

Since Swedish Massage uses a lighter pressure than Sports Massage, it suits those looking for a more gentle, soothing massage and a bit of pampering.

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Benefits

Swedish massage may help with the following:-

  • help to loosen and stretch scar tissue.
  • Relax the mind and body
  • Promote sleep and calmness
  • Relieve muscular tension and stiffness in joints
  • Relieve muscle fatigue
  • Increase blood circulation
  • Improve digestion
  •  stress
  • Detoxification (elimination of waste products from the body such as lactic acid and toxins)
  • Sebaceous glands that produce ‘Sebum’, the skins natural moisturiser is enchanced
  • Using a suitable lubricant, massage will improve the texture of the skin and help to shed the old skin cells.

History

The invention of Swedish Massage is credited to Pehr Henrik Ling (1776-1839), a prominent Swedish physician and fencing teacher who combined Chinese gymnastic and medical techniques with early 19th century sports medicine to create a system for relieving sore muscles, increasing flexibility and promoting general health.

Ling’s theories were popularized by a fellow Swedish physician, Johann Mezger, who helped legitimize Ling’s techniques in the public’s mind by giving them French names. Most massage practiced in the West is in one way or another derived from Ling’s original work.