When you think of a classic massage, you’re actually thinking of a Swedish massage. This is the most popular type of massage therapy, and it offers a wonderful relaxing and rejuvenating experience. This article will cover the benefits of Swedish massage as well as what you need to know. You can now look forward to booking your own.
What is a Swedish Massage?
Most people are familiar with Swedish massage. That’s because it is the classic and traditional massage that you will have seen in movies and advertising, even if you haven’t experienced it personally.
There are a number of different Swedish massage techniques, but all combine to deliver a delightfully relaxing massage through gentle circular pressure applied by the therapist’s hands (known professionally as ‘friction’). You can also try these other Swedish massage techniques:
- Effleurage – a type of gentle stroking, including long strokes.
- Petrissage – what you think of when muscles are kneaded.
- Vibration – includes light tapping and other techniques which can cause the body to lightly shake or vibrate.
- Hacking – includes the karate-style ‘chops’ you may also associate with massage.
Pehr Henrik Ling is credited as the Father of Swedish Massage, in addition to bringing physical education to Sweden.
Swedish massage can be very relaxing. It is relaxing, relieves tension and balances the body.
Swedish massage is a classic massage that can be used as a foundation for many other treatments. Two of the most commonly misunderstood techniques are Thai massage and aromatherapy.
There is a difference between Swedish massage and aromatherapy.
An aromatherapy massage could be a Swedish massage. Aromatherapy massages can include a custom blend of essential oils your massage oil. This helps to ease mental and physical ailments.
Difference between Thai and Swedish Massage
Thai massage often doesn’t use oils and is usually done on the floor, rather than on a table. The therapist helps the recipient stretch and relax their body in assisted yoga positions. It’s more vigorous and sometimes focuses on acupressure points.
What are the benefits of Swedish Massage?
Swedish massage aims to increase circulation and promote relaxation by soothing the muscles. It’s therefore quite different from deep tissue massage or sports massage. The techniques involve soft strokes over areas that are more prone to pain, Or without much muscle coverage. The pressure is adjusted to make the massage deeper for thicker muscles.
Swedish massage has many benefits, including:
Treatment of muscle pain
Whether you’ve overdone it in the gym, or you suffer from long-term or chronic muscle or joint pain, Swedish massage can help to alleviate pain. Your massage therapist will target pain points and reduce muscle tension to allow pain to ease. This natural method of managing pain is preferred to using pain medication.
Increased blood circulation
Massage techniques improve blood circulation in the areas being massaged. This has many different benefits. The increased warmth soothes and eases sore muscles. It also helps to eliminate toxins that we accumulate every day. The massage will leave you feeling relaxed and may even give you an energy boost due to increased blood circulation. As fresh oxygenated blood flows to the area, blood circulation aids in recovery.
Increased range of movement
This massage works by gently working on the ligaments and muscles. It can help improve your range and agility, as well as keep you supple. The natural lubricants in the joints can be released. The therapist may also include gentle stretching in your massage. These can also help to improve your movement range.
Physical stress reduction
Stress can cause our muscles to tense; we’re bracing for the fight or flight response. However, we need to take care to allow our muscles to relax again, discharging the tension when we haven’t fought or run! Swedish massage helps to relieve tension and remove physical stress. This can help improve your posture by reducing the need to overcompensate. Many people find that Swedish Massage relieves tension headaches.
Stress reduction
Many of us lead stressful lives. We are constantly under pressure and have many reasons to worry. Relaxing for an hour or more and being pampered allows you to let go of all your emotional stress.
Aids immunity
Regular Swedish massages are a popular option shown to support and aid a healthy immune system. This is likely to be due to the fact that massage de-stresses our bodies. Stress can have a negative impact on immunity so it is important to reduce stress to improve your immunity.
Feel-good chemicals release
Massage is a popular therapy. scientifically proven to release a range of feel-good hormones and chemicals in our bodies, such as oxytocin, serotonin, endorphins, and dopamine. It’s not just that it makes you feel good by giving you time out and much-needed attention, it actually has an effect at a chemical level to make you feel amazing.
Improve your sleep
One of the chemicals we mentioned above – serotonin – is vital for healthy sleep patterns. It helps you fall asleep quicker and stays asleep longer. Many people prefer to have their massage in the evening or late afternoon so they can drift off into the Land of Nod. It’s another benefit of having your Swedish massage done at home; you don’t have to head out into a bustling world afterward. Instead, you can really reap the benefits.
Is Swedish massage safe during pregnancy?
We are often asked if Swedish Massage is safe for pregnancy. It’s not just safe, it’s actually the recommended type of massage if you are pregnant in your second or third trimester. Your Swedish massage therapist can either make you sit down or lie on your back.
How to prepare for a Swedish masseuse
We recommend that you have a Swedish massage at home. You’re then in your most comfortable environment. The therapist will bring everything they need.
The therapist will ask you to remove your underwear. However, the therapist will allow you to change in private using draped sheets or towels.
Let your massage therapist understand if you have any pain points or medical conditions. Your massage will last either 60 or 90 minutes depending on what you’ve chosen. Book an at-home Swedish massage today.
Are you looking for a unique type of massage? We also offer deep tissue massage, sports massage, pregnancy massage reflexology, and lymphatic drainage massage.
