Swedish Massage Techniques

Woman receiving Swedish Massage
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Swedish Massage Techniques

Swedish massage is one of the most well known and commonly offered massage style which aims to promote relaxation by releasing muscle tension. Swedish massage techniques are meant to relax, stimulate nerve endings, and increase blood flow and lymph drainage.

Swedish massage uses five styles of strokes. The five basic strokes are effleurage (sliding or gliding), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (rhythmic tapping), friction (cross fiber or with the fibers) and vibration/shaking

Tapotement

Man receiving Tapotement (Chopping) Massage

    Tapotement or Percussion massage involves rapid and repeated striking over specific areas of the body in short, even sequences. The body is struck with soft blows from each hand alternately.

Petrissage

    Petrissage are massage movements with applied pressure which are deep and compress the underlying muscles. Kneading, wringing, skin rolling and pick-up-and-squeeze are the petrissage movements.

Demonstration of Kneading Petrissage Massage

Effleurage

Woman receiving Effleurage Massage

    Effleurage is a massage technique involving slow and continuous movement made with the palm of the hand. The flat of the hand applies most of the pressure during this movement. This movement involves repeated strokes over the same area of the body. Strokes done on the limbs are directed towards the heart to improve lymphatic flow and blood circulation.

Massage Therapy

Massage is no longer available only through luxury spas and upscale health clubs. Today, massage therapy is offered in businesses, clinics, hospitals and even airports. If you've never tried massage, learn about its possible health benefits and what to expect during a massage therapy session

Benefits of Massage

Massage is generally considered part of complementary and integrative medicine. It's increasingly being offered along with standard treatment for a wide range of medical conditions and situations.

Asian Massage

As the name suggests, an Asian Massage is a type of bodywork that follows the principles of traditional Asian medicine, which usually translates to touch-based therapy with very specific purposes. This is why there are many kinds of Asian massages with different effects on the body, although they all aim to rejuvenate the body and promote some degree of physical and mental relief.