We’ve all heard about the Swedish massage and the glorious feeling it provides but do we know everything there is to know about this popular massage?
Does it come from Sweden? Are there other benefits we can get from it?
In this article, we’ll let you know more about this fantastic massage and give you a reason to try it if you haven’t yet.
Origin
Given its name, it’s natural for people to assume that this massage came from Sweden, but this isn’t the case. There are several words in the English language that are assigned country names even if they didn’t originate from the said country.
Take the case of “French fries” for example, which is more American than it is French. The Swedish massage technically has the same history. Though Peter Ling, who is a Swede, is credited initially for its development, it was Dutch practitioner Johan Georg Mezger who systematized and made it a practice.
The Five Strokes
The Swedish massage is popular for its five strokes that are all aimed at providing the person getting it complete relaxation.
- Friction – is a warming stroke used on specific areas of the body that generates heat in order to warm up the area that is to be worked on.
- Vibration – a kind of stroke characterized by rocking, shaking, or trembling motion.
- Effleurage – is another word for long gliding strokes.
- Petrissage – is a kind of stroke characterized by the kneading, rolling, wringing, and lifting of the soft tissue being worked on.
- Tapotement – is a quick tapping or percussive stroke for the purpose of stimulating the nerves, muscles, and circulation.
These five strokes become more effective when administered and put together in a certain sequence. The strokes and pressure used in Swedish massage generally begin with light movements and increases gradually depending on the client’s pain tolerance then return to lighter pressure on a specific area.
Benefits of Swedish Massage
Swedish massage is more than just muscle relaxation. It also offers a few other benefits that are good for the mind and body.
1. Pain management – Swedish massage can be an effective method of managing and relieving pain, especially if you are suffering from conditions like sciatica or osteoarthritis.
2. Increased flexibility – a well-relaxed muscle allows for a wider range of motion. This will help protect you from workout-related injuries especially when you combine Swedish massage with a few rounds of stretching.
3. Reduced stress – the relaxation brought about by Swedish massage can lead to a few other benefits that include lower cortisol levels (or the stress hormone), fewer headaches, more energy, and more sleep.
4. Better immune system – one of the biggest benefits of a Swedish massage is that of having a stronger immune system due in part to lower levels of stress. By becoming more relaxed, the production of the stress hormone cortisol also gets reduced leading to a healthier and stronger immune system.
5. Increased blood flow – those long gliding strokes applied in Effleurage is a good way of opening up the blood vessels and increasing flow, especially when its motion is geared towards the direction of the heart.
Final Thoughts
Whether it came from Sweden or not, it’s undeniable that the Swedish massage is one of the most effective and beneficial massages available. It’s not surprising how popular it has become given the benefits it has to offer.
The statements on this blog post are not to be used to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent diseases. The author and the website does not in any way guarantee or warrant the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any statement and will not be held responsible for the content of any message. Always consult your personal physician for specific medical advice.
