Swedish Massage
By Free Massage Therapists Listing
Swedish Massage is said to be massage of the most basic methods. The purpose of Swedish Massage is to allow the body to absorb more oxygen and speed the cells' elimination of waste products, thus promoting detoxification. Swedish massage works primarily with the muscles and connective tissues of the body to improve circulation and decrease tension in the body. This type of massage decreases recovery time from muscle strain by facilitating the removal of lactic acid, uric acid, and other metabolic wastes from the tissues. The tendons and ligaments are also kept flexible and soft due to the stretching involved. Swedish massage will also stimulate the skin and nerves simultaneously soothing the nerves.
There are 6 main techniques used in Swedish massage. These six techniques are effleurage, petrissage, friction, vibration, percussion or tapottement, and traction (passive and active movements). Effleurage is the use of gliding strokes with the palms, thumbs, or fingers. Effleurage can give the sensation that the muscles are being broken down, however the purpose of effleurage is to connect one part of the body to the others. Petrissage involves kneading movements with the hands, thumbs, or fingers. Petrissage does not focus on any specific part of the body, however, the kneading allows for a deeper and more penetrating effect on the muscles. Friction is circular pressure with the palms of the hands, thumbs, or fingers. The heat produced during the friction technique relaxes the muscles and is primarily used to heat up the area with the target muscles. Vibration is using oscillatory movements that shake or vibrate the body. Vibration is performed by moving the heel of the hand, and sometimes the fingertips, forward and backward across the skin to loosen the muscles of the focused area. Percussion, or tapottement, ivolves brisk hacking or tapping. The aim of this technique is to energize the area being treated while at the same time loosening and relaxing it. Often, percussion is performed by chopping the area with the sides of the hands, or rhythmically hitting the area with cupped or fisted hands. Traction involves pulling the arms and legs of the client, and sometimes the head as well. The passive and active movements used in Swedish massage are bending and stretching. These stretches are always done at the end of the massage, as they would be painful if they muscles weren't already relaxes. Swedish massage is usually performed on bare skin with oils or lotions and the client is either partially or entirely disrobed.
Swedish massage is primarly based on Western views of wellness and healing whereas other types of massage can be centered in Eastern views with the use of acupressure and the Chinese meridian system. Swedish massage is a great tool for stress removal from both physical and emotional triggers. It is regularly recommended as part of a stress management program. For those who are getting their first massage, the Swedish modality is a good place to start as it is not too aggressive and always relaxing.
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