Swedish Massage Techniques

There are various massage techniques that are used as a therapy, or relaxation techniques that have been around since at least 4,000 BC when Hippocrates "the father of medicine" wrote about it in his medical books, suggesting that all doctors know about it.

Massage therapy today, and especially Swedish massage, is a lot more than rubbing a person’s body. It is called "bodywork" or "Somatic Therapy." There are various techniques of massage other than Swedish massage techniques, including soft tissue massage, deep tissue massage, connective tissue massage and others.

Some of the benefits of Swedish massage as well as all of the other types of massage in general are: decreased healing time, increased flexibility and range of motion, decreases mental stress and in general all types of massage have a positive effect on the whole person, physical, mental, and emotionally, thus relaxing the person and relieving the physical effects of stress on the body.

Purpose and techniques of Swedish Massage
The chief purpose of the various Swedish massage techniques is to release toxins from the muscles and to increase the level of oxygen in the blood. The results of the long strokes used in Swedish massage are a flushing of the metabolic wastes from the blood where they are eventually flushed from the body. Additionally it stimulates and soothes the nerves while at the same time provides a stretching of the muscles and a stimulation of the skin. Thus by using these techniques of massage, the whole body is stimulated, soothed and relaxed and toxins are released and the causes of stiff aching muscles are eliminated, bringing health to both body and mind.

The traditional Swedish massage techniques

1. Effleurage
It involves long strokes straight down the back from the neck to the hips with the either just the thumb pads or the whole hand. It can also be done on the limbs, but in this case it is done toward the heart beginning at the feet or hands. In this way the giver and receiver of the massage get used to the feel of the other’s body or hands. The masseuse learning the structure of the patient’s body and the patient getting used to be touched, possibly in a very different way.

2. Petrissage
It consists of a gentle lifting and squeezing of the muscles off of the bones. The kneading, squeezing or pressing of the muscles quickly releases toxins from the muscles and then circulation of both the blood and lymph system through the muscles is then increased.

3. Friction
It is the use of very deeply penetrating circular or transverse motions that work to release the knot-like adhesions in muscles and around the joints caused by tight, bound up muscles, and thus providing ease of movements in the joints and muscles. These movements are made by using either the fingertips or the thumbs.

4. Vibration or Shaking
It can be relaxing or stimulating depending on the amount of pressure applied by the therapist on the back or limbs. This can be done at the very end of the massage to assist the muscles and bones settle into place after an hour of massage. This feels very good to the patient and can be used to gently rest the body after a long massage and provide a transition time for the results of the massage to take effect.

5. Tapoment
It is used to release tight and cramped muscles and to relax any spasm by using a number of percussive type movements with the hand by striking or tapping the muscles with the fingertips or the edge of the hand.

Massage is not limited to just the shoulder, neck and back, but it is used on both the limbs and feet. It greatly assists all the body systems including the circulatory, lymphatic, muscular, nervous systems and others.

Post Massage
After getting a massage, it is highly recommended the patient drink several glasses of water to eliminate the toxins that have been released. In addition, it has been found that a long hot soak in Epsom salts also aids in elimination of these toxins. Just add 2-4 cups salts into a full bath of hot water soaking for at least twenty minutes.

Drinking 4-6 glasses of water either during or after the bath is recommended to prevent dehydration. Place a cold compress on the forehead and enjoy! And like with any bath cool off with a cool shower or cloth and slowly and carefully get out of the tub for safety reasons. Sit or lay back and relax for about an hour to get the body in balance.

Cautions
Therapeutic massage should only be done by a professional, especially in cases of cancer or other patients. In cases of injury or illness a doctor should be consulted before seeking a massage. Bruises, fractures and other injuries should not be massaged in any case.