Swedish Body Massage

What is Swedish Body Massage?

Swedish massage was invented by a Swedish fencing instructor named Per Henrik Ling in the 1830s. When he was injured in the elbows, he reportedly cured himself using tapping (percussion) strokes around the affected area. He later developed the technique currently known as Swedish massage. The specific techniques used in Swedish massage involve the application of long gliding strokes, friction, and kneading and tapping movements on the soft tissues of the body. Sometimes passive or active joint movements are also used. 

Swedish massage is one of the most popular types of massage. It involves the use of hands and forearms to manipulate the superficial layers of the muscles to improve mental and physical health. Active or passive movement of the joints may also be part of the massage. The benefits of Swedish massage include increased blood circulation, mental and physical relaxation, decreased stress and muscle tension, and improved range of motion. It is especially good for reducing sports injuries and increasing sport’s performance. 

Swedish massage is now gaining acceptance from the medical community as a complementary treatment. Studies have shown that massage can relax the body, decrease blood pressure and heart rate, and reduce stress and depression. It may also provide symptomatic relief for many chronic diseases. Many doctors now prescribe massage therapy as symptomatic treatment for headache, facial pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, other chronic and acute conditions, stress, and athletic injuries.

What happens during a treatment

In Swedish massage, the person to be massaged lies on a massage table and is draped with a towel or sheet. It is a full-body massage treatment, except in areas that are contraindicated or where the client requests not to be touched. Aromatic or unscented oil or lotion is used to facilitate the massage movements.

What are the Benefits of Swedish Body Massage?

Unlike drug therapy, which is often associated with many systemic and long-term side effects, massage therapy is a safe option and has few contraindications. It also provides many benefits. 

There are numerous physical and emotional benefits associated with the use of Swedish massage:

• relieving cramps and muscle spasms and decreasing muscle fatigue
• loosening joints and improving range of motion
• increasing muscle strength
• calming the nervous system
• stimulating blood circulation
• firming up muscle and skin tone

• relieving symptoms of such disorders as
• asthma
• arthritis
• carpal tunnel syndrome
• chronic and acute pain syndromes
• myofacial pain
• headache
• temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction
• and athletic injuries

• speeding up healing from injury and illness
• improving lymphatic drainage of metabolic wastes
• mental relaxation
• improvement in length and quality of sleep
• relief of stress, depression, anxiety and irritation
• increased ability to concentrate
• improved sense of well-being