Swedish Massage: what is it exactly?
In Western Massage history, Swedish Massage is the Mother and Root of all modern massage therapy techniques. All methods of treatment employ some or all of the basic Swedish system, modified and changed by their creators to achieve their desired results with clients and patients. Every US Massage School teaches it as the basis of all hands-on instruction and every Massage Therapist knows a full body Swedish Massage Routine that always results in a positive outcome for the receiver. There are many effective therapists who use only this modality, claiming that, if properly applied, it will bring about the same benefits as those considered advanced.
When most people today hear the words Swedish Massage, the first media produced image is that of a brutish, large, blonde, Swedish woman ready to pummel you or, also media induced, someone having oil slathered upon them, lying on the beach, getting a massage and drinking champagne at a spa or vacation resort.
These are false images that have become entrenched in the mass consciousness, so most therapists do not advertise that they perform Swedish Massage, instead , using words such as, Relaxation Treatment, Deep Tissue and Muscle Specific. It’s become almost ‘politically incorrect’ to say you specialize in Swedish or that you even know what it is.
MANIPULATIVE TECHNIQUES
Western Swedish Massage uses the western view of Anatomy and Physiology and a great variety of manipulative techniques. These are listed and commented on here.
EFFLEURAGE: Long, sweeping strokes toward the Heart that immediately Stimulate the Movement of blood, lymph and water, as well as initiating the Relaxation Response.
STROKING: Shorter strokes that may include spreading the tissue in specific directions and affects the Muscular, Nervous, and Circulatory Systems.
PETRISSAGE: A kneading, twisting, squeezing of Muscles and Muscle Groups, especially the bigger Muscle Groups such as the Hamstrings, Quadriceps or Deltoids. It is a good way to break up Adhesions, Relieve long held Tensions and Restore proper Movement and Function.
VIBRATION: Here’s an increasingly used technique as Therapists discover the beauty of Vibration in Softening Rigid Muscles, creating Space to Move in and our Systems to Flow in. It’s applied either manually or using an electrical medical device. Vibration also Stimulates the Nerves close to the Skin, Nerve Centers, and the connecting Nerve Trunk.
FRICTION: A common comment in the Treatment Room is ‘Oh, that hurts so Good’. Friction is used to Undo Knots, Decongest Muscles and Release Tight Tendons and Ligaments. The therapist presses his/her Fingers down into the tissue and keeping the Pressure Steady, not rubbing across the skin, moves it back and forth either assertively or gently. Frictions helps in ungluing structures that need to be Separated in order to Function, Frees up Joints and can significantly Decrease Pain as well as Trigger Points.
TAPOTEMENT ALSO CALLED PERCUSSION: A tapping Movement of the therapist’s Fingers or Hands. It is very seldom used and taught today, but is highly effective in Treating the Chest, Upper Back, and Diaphragm. It can Free the Breath and help Relieve Anxiety, Pain, and Tension. Our Ribs have a tendency to stick together and this can be a method to create Space.
PASSIVE AND ACTIVE ASSISTED STRETCHING: The Therapist stretches the client/patient with or without their help, Releasing Restrictions, Increasing the Range of Motion, and Encouraging the Flow of Blood and Lymph.
WITH SWEDISH TREATMENT, MASSAGE MOVEMENTS CAN BE SLOW AND GENTLE OR VIGOROUS AND BRACING. Light, Moderate or Deep Pressure may be used. Superficial or Deeper Tissues may be Accessed.
If a Client/Patient requests a Swedish Massage, every Therapist needs to clarify what their Expectations are. If you are the client/patient, please do the same for your therapist, as your Therapist has so much Freedom in Choosing Specific Manipulations.
Here is another list. This one shows Physical Benefits of receiving a Swedish Massage:
1. Increased metabolism and the rate at which you access usable energy.
2. Facilitates healing.
3. Relaxes and refreshes the muscles.
4. Boosts the detoxifying function of the lymphatic system.
5. Prevents and relieves muscle cramps and spasms.
6. Ensures the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the cells.
7. Removes metabolic waste.
8. Improves circulation of blood, water, and lymph.
9. Effective for pain management, especially conditions such as: arthritis, neuritis, neuralgia, childbirth, post surgery, injuries, muscular lesions, sciatica, headache, and many others too numerous to name.
10. Reduces Fatigue and Stress.
11. Enhances range of motion by lengthening muscles and freeing movement around joints.
12. Helps the body rid itself of inflammation.
HISTORY OF SWEDISH MASSAGE
The history of this Mother of Massage is quite interesting and demonstrates how different Massage and Bodywork Modalities were created for specific
Individuals or groups, then evolved into systems of treatment that benefit everyone.
Per Henrik Ling of Sweden (1776-1839) is known as the Father of Physical Therapy and thus, Massage. He was a Physiologist and Fencing Master who suffered both from disease and physical injuries and, who Systemized and Developed Movements that had many Positive Benefits for him. He started using this system he called Medical Gymnastics for the benefit of others, founding an institute focusing on disease and injury.
Ling used Gymnastic Movements he classified as Active, Duplicated, and Passive. The Active Movements were the Exercises performed by the Client/Patient. Duplicated Movements are what we call Assisted Exercising. Passive Movements were done by the Therapist and today would be called Massage and Range of Motion.
The regular use of Ling’s methods spread throughout Europe, eventually making their way to the United States. The use of the word Gymnastics is only relevant to those living in the 18th and 19th century. To explain even a part of what it meant and the semantic evolution requires its own article and really isn’t pertinent to understanding and appreciating today’s practice of Swedish Massage Therapy.
When it first arrived in the US in 1899, it was known as the Swedish Movement Cure. It became popularly known as Swedish Massage due to the efforts of 3 Northeastern Doctors in 1874, who first introduced the word massage in 1874.
Their names were Graham, Lee and Mills. They borrowed the word and other terms from Dr. Johann Mezger (1839-1909) of Holland who also coined the terms effleurage, petrissage and tapotement.
