Swedish Massage
What is Swedish Massage Therapy?
Swedish massage therapy is the modality that comes to mind when most people think about massage. As the best-known type of bodywork performed today, one of the primary goals of the Swedish massage technique is to relax the entire body. This is accomplished by rubbing the muscles with long gliding strokes in the direction of blood returning to the heart. But Swedish massage therapy goes beyond relaxation. Swedish massage is exceptionally beneficial for increasing the level of oxygen in the blood, decreasing muscle toxins, improving circulation and flexibility while easing tension.
A study conducted by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, and published in The New York Times, found that volunteers who received a 45-minute Swedish massage experienced significant decreases in levels of the stress hormone cortisol, as well as arginine vasopressin-a hormone that can lead to increases in cortisol. Volunteers also had increases in the number of lymphocytes, white blood cells that are part of the immune system, and a boost in the immune cells that may help fight colds and the flu.
Swedish Massage Techniques
Additional Swedish massage techniques include circular pressure applied by the hands and palms, firm kneading, percussion-like tapping, bending and stretching. Before and during your Swedish massage session, communication is encouraged with your professional massage therapist so that your massage is customized to your specific needs.
The Benefits of Swedish Massage
Swedish massage promotes healing and blood flow. Traditional Swedish massage has a number of health benefits. A Swedish massage session is performed with the client lying on a massage table while the therapist stands above them and manipulates their muscle tissue with a variety of strokes. In addition to providing a general sense of relaxation, a Swedish massage session can help promote healing and reduce pain.
Overall Relaxation
As Bodybuilding.com points out, Swedish massage’s main benefit is the overall relaxation that it provides.
A standard Swedish session lasts for 30 or 60 minutes, and addresses most major muscle groups of the body.
The session is usually performed on a soft massage table, in an environment that is meant to relax the recipient.
The strokes of the massage relax individual muscles, while the overall experience eliminates mental stress.
Pain Relief
Massage therapy can be used to help manage pain. Swedish sessions can target specific areas of pain like a sprained ankle, or they can be used to help manage the chronic pain that comes with conditions like arthritis. By using strokes that improve circulation and increase body-wide relaxation, the massage therapist can help make many painful conditions more bearable.