Massage styles: Swedish Massage

Welcome to post #1 in my series of different types of massages. If you have a specific style you'd like to see covered or have a question about any style I cover, feel free to leave a comment and I will address it for you!

Whenever the word massage comes to mind, Swedish massage is probably what most people think of. It is the foundation on which most modern styles of massage are based and the very first type of massage that any massage student will learn.
Although records of massage have been found as far back as 3000 B.C., the art of Swedish massage was developed by a Swedish physiologist in the late 1700s. Only in the United States is the term Swedish massage used; in Sweden and most places in Europe it is called a traditional massage. In many spas, a traditional massage is often their Signature Massage.

The basic techniques used in a traditional massage are:

• Effleurage- this is a French term meaning to skim or to touch lightly on. The most frequently used stroke in massage, Effleurage is a repetition of long gliding strokes meant to relax and broaden soft tissue, increase blood circulation, and create a sensation of length and connection in the body.
• Petrissage- another French term, Petrissage means to knead. This is a non-gliding stroke that "milks" muscles by the therapist grasping tissue between their fingers and thumbs or between both hands and applying movement, typically circular. The milking effect encourages the movement of blood and lymph fluid from deeper tissue to promote health and elasticity of muscle. The stretching that occurs during these movements will also reduce muscle adhesions (knots).
• Friction- friction strokes can be either gliding or non-gliding. The main purpose of both strokes is to greatly increase blood flow in order to create heat, which in turn reduces muscle and soft tissue tension. Gliding friction will bring blood to the more superficial tissue such as your skin, and non-gliding friction (the therapist moves the skin along with their hands instead of gliding their hands along the skin) brings blood to deeper tissue such as muscles. Both techniques may be used for severe adhesions and scar tissue.
• Vibration- whether applied manually or mechanically, vibration is very effective for releasing tension in a muscle or group of muscles and due to the "confusing" effect on the nervous system, can break chronic pain cycles in the muscles (an example of this would be always clenching your jaw when you are annoyed or angry without realizing it). In general it is stimulating and invigorating but if done with consistent pressure and speed over a long period of time, it can be relaxing and sedating.
• Tapotement- also known as percussion, means to tap, drum, or pat. A prime example of tapotement is in many movies where a massage therapist uses a hacking or chopping motion with their hands. The effect is very stimulating on muscles and often causes muscle contraction. While this may seem to be the opposite of the relaxation a lot of people look for in a traditional massage, when this method is combined with the rest to create continuous muscle contraction then relaxation, this increases muscle tone and can prepare muscles for strenuous exertion such as a sporting event and thus prevents injuries.

The difference between Swedish massage and other types of massage is that even though it has very therapeutic effects, the main goal is for mental and physical relaxation. Therapeutic type massages use many of the same techniques and methods, but the therapist has a very clear intention of which technique or method to apply for specific conditions and complaints.

If you have never had a massage, I recommend starting out with a traditional or Swedish massage. Many people unfortunately don't have a good experience with their first massage, causing them to abandon the idea. If this has happened to you, I urge you to try a different therapist. We all develop our own personal style and if you didn't like a massage, that therapist simply might not be a fit for you. I think of it as finding a hair stylist you like; you might have to go to many different stylists and salons to find them instead of giving up on getting your hair cut after one bad experience!

Addendum: I'd like to add that most Swedish massages range from light, medium, or firm pressure and are usually full-body which, depending on your therapist's style, includes the back/neck/shoulders, arms, legs, hands/feet, and yes, the "buttocks" (gluteus muscles or "glutes"). Even the abdomen can be massaged if the situation calls for it although most therapists don't regularly include it. If you are uncomfortable with your therapist working on any area, just speak up and they will- or at least should- honor your request.

If you've never had your glutes worked on, you need to try it at least once! If you're still uncomfortable with having your legs uncovered that high, your therapist can still do compressions through the sheet. You will be amazed at how tight they are. After all, they do hold you upright all day!