Swedish Massage
The most common type of massage is Swedish massage therapy. It involves soft, long, kneading strokes, as well as light, rhythmic, tapping strokes, on topmost layers of muscles. This is also combined with movement of the joints. By relieving muscle tension, Swedish therapy can be both relaxing and energizing. And it may even help after an injury.
Swedish massage has been shown to reduce pain, improve circulation, ease joint stiffness, and increase range of motion. Because it can help tissues release uric acid, lactic acid, and other waste products, it assists in muscle recovery after strain. Swedish massage could be beneficial to those suffering from osteoarthritis and soreness from athletic training or muscle overuse, among others. It lowers stress levels and simultaneously stimulates and soothes the nervous system. Other specific medical uses exist for Swedish massage, as well.
The 5 main Swedish massage techniques as they were:
1. Effleurage. These are the sliding or gliding Swedish massage techniques that cover different areas of the body. They are long sweeping strokes that alternate between firm and light pressure and with can be performed using the palm of the hand or the fingertips. The knots and tension in the muscles tend to get broken with this massage technique.
2. Petrissage. This is the technique of kneading the muscles of the body to attain deeper massage penetration. The thumbs and the knuckles of the fingers are used to knead the muscles of the body and to squeeze them to prepare them for the other Swedish massage techniques that follow.
3. Tapotement or Rhythmic Tapping. This technique of Swedish massage, as the name suggests consists of rhythmic tapping that uses the fists of the cupped hands. This helps to loosen and relax the muscles be manipulated and also helps to energize them. The sides of the hands are used in
this massage technique.
4. Friction. This move seeks to create heat to bring about relaxation of the muscles. The palms of the hand are rubbed together vigorously with each other, or they are rubbed onto the skin of the person being massaged in order to produce heat by friction. This technique can be used as a warm up for the muscles of the body to be treated for deeper massage.
5. Vibration or Shaking.
This is the one among Swedish massage techniques that helps to loosen up the muscles by using a back and forth action of the fingertips or the heel of the hand over the skin. The muscles of the body are literally shaken up to loosen and relax the muscles. The sides of the hand, and any part of the hand such as the tips or heel can be used by the masseuse to shake up the muscles of the person.
Swedish massage has been shown to reduce pain, improve circulation, ease joint stiffness, and increase range of motion. Because it can help tissues release uric acid, lactic acid, and other waste products, it assists in muscle recovery after strain. Swedish massage could be beneficial to those suffering from osteoarthritis and soreness from athletic training or muscle overuse, among others. It lowers stress levels and simultaneously stimulates and soothes the nervous system. Other specific medical uses exist for Swedish massage, as well.
The 5 main Swedish massage techniques as they were:
1. Effleurage. These are the sliding or gliding Swedish massage techniques that cover different areas of the body. They are long sweeping strokes that alternate between firm and light pressure and with can be performed using the palm of the hand or the fingertips. The knots and tension in the muscles tend to get broken with this massage technique.
2. Petrissage. This is the technique of kneading the muscles of the body to attain deeper massage penetration. The thumbs and the knuckles of the fingers are used to knead the muscles of the body and to squeeze them to prepare them for the other Swedish massage techniques that follow.
3. Tapotement or Rhythmic Tapping. This technique of Swedish massage, as the name suggests consists of rhythmic tapping that uses the fists of the cupped hands. This helps to loosen and relax the muscles be manipulated and also helps to energize them. The sides of the hands are used in
this massage technique.
4. Friction. This move seeks to create heat to bring about relaxation of the muscles. The palms of the hand are rubbed together vigorously with each other, or they are rubbed onto the skin of the person being massaged in order to produce heat by friction. This technique can be used as a warm up for the muscles of the body to be treated for deeper massage.
5. Vibration or Shaking.
This is the one among Swedish massage techniques that helps to loosen up the muscles by using a back and forth action of the fingertips or the heel of the hand over the skin. The muscles of the body are literally shaken up to loosen and relax the muscles. The sides of the hand, and any part of the hand such as the tips or heel can be used by the masseuse to shake up the muscles of the person.