| While some people think of fancy salons and spas | | | | First the therapist would attempt to concentrate |
| when they hear the name Swedish Massage | | | | on relaxation which would utilize gliding the palms, |
| Therapy, it is simply a method of massage that is | | | | fingertips, or thumbs. This would be the Effleurage |
| readily available even in the office of a | | | | stroke. Further they would use kneading with the |
| chiropractor. There are many benefits associated | | | | fingers, thumbs, or hands and this would be the |
| with a Swedish massage, and we will explore | | | | Petrissage stroke. Along with this, the therapist |
| some of them here. | | | | would use lotions and or oils to help the technique. |
| The Swedish massage is one of the most | | | | The process usually involves a body massage |
| common forms of massage in the USA and is | | | | covering the whole body that ranges from |
| quite the standard. It is also known as a | | | | between 1 hour to 1.5 hours. |
| therapeutic type massage and is an overall | | | | With the Effleurage stroke, the ultimate goal is to |
| method that helps the whole body. | | | | find the muscles that are tense and this provides |
| So what is a Swedish massage exactly? Simply - | | | | an individual time to get comfortable as they lie |
| a set and variety of techniques or methods that | | | | face down and are massaged from the neck all |
| help to achieve relaxation of the muscles and to | | | | the way down the back to the end of the spinal |
| help achieve a better and increased rate of | | | | column. |
| circulation. | | | | While with the Petrissage stroke, the therapist is |
| The main use or purpose of a Swedish massage | | | | striving for the achievement of a deeper |
| is: | | | | relaxation and works to Warm-Up the person |
| - Helps to release toxins from the body's muscles | | | | body for more intense massage. This technique |
| - Help to increase oxygen flow | | | | will involve the muscles being moved or lifted |
| How is this massage method applied? Basically the | | | | away and upward from the bones. This will help |
| Swedish massage utilizes techniques that apply | | | | to figure out how much or how deep the |
| stokes with pressure expressly applied in the | | | | pressure applied will need to be. This will possibly |
| direction as the blood would flow as it returns to | | | | lead to other massage strokes that will allow for |
| a person's heart. The pressure is applied to bones | | | | various benefits. The many and various benefits |
| and muscles with various types of techniques. | | | | of utilizing Swedish therapy are: |
| These techniques are: | | | | - Lowers blood pressure |
| - Shaking motions | | | | - Increases circulation |
| - Tapping | | | | - The mind and the body will relax |
| - Friction | | | | - Helps with digestion |
| - Effleurage | | | | - Can help to relieve colic |
| - Vibration | | | | - Helps clear up congested lungs by breaking up |
| - Kneading | | | | mucus |
| - Long strokes | | | | - Helps to stimulate a slower breathing pattern |
| Each of these methods or techniques of the | | | | - Improves muscle flexibility |
| massage has a stroke that can offer benefits in | | | | - Helps to improve the strength of the muscles |
| different ways. And these can be further defined | | | | - Helps to ease tension and stiffness within the |
| as 5 main strokes such as: | | | | muscles |
| - Gliding which is called Effleurage | | | | There are many more benefits to this form of |
| - Rubbing which is called Friction | | | | massage with relaxation being a major player in |
| - Kneading which is called Petrissage | | | | this therapy. Furthermore a person can achieve |
| - Pounding which is called Tapotement | | | | better overall well being and health if they start |
| - Shaking which is called Vibration | | | | receiving a Swedish massage program. |