Swedish Massage

Massage provides the comfort that is import to everyones physiological, emotional and psychological well being. Different massage has different styles from stretching, tapping, kneading to pulling. A good rubdown will be an excellent way to reward oneself after a busy week. Considering that it is your first time, Swedish massage is the best one to start with. Swedish massage is a massage technique designed to increase the oxygen flow in the blood and release toxins from the muscle. Rubbing the body in the same direction like the flow of blood to brings fresh oxygen to the heart and to the blood stream. It is also focus on muscle relaxation by means of applying pressure to the muscle and even bones. It was developed by a Swedish physiologist way back 1812 by Henri Peter Ling at the University of Stockholm. During 1958, the Swedish Movement Cure introduces this type of massage in the US. Today it is the most common massage and considered as the foundation of other Western type massages such as deep tissue massage, sports massage, and aromatherapy massage. With this method we can increase a persons blood circulation without increasing the heart burden. Thus, making the muscular strain recovery faster that the usual and flushes the bodys uric acid and other metabolic waste. Through stretching the tendons and the ligaments are kept flexible. It also reduces stress by stimulating the skin and nervous system. The usual techniques in Swedish massage are as follows:

• Stretching and Bending
• Tapping or Brisk hacking
• Applying circular pressure using palms, fingers and or thumbs
• Kneading movements
• Gliding strokes known as Effleurage

Physiological benefits of Swedish massage: For the muscles & bones: increasing muscle strength, firming up muscle and skin tone, decreasing muscles fatigue and relieves muscle spasms and cramps, loosening joints and improving range of motion, stretching connective tissues and loosening tight muscles For the nervous system: stimulating blood circulation and calms the nervous system Others: Speeds up healing from a certain injury, relieves head ache, acute and chronic pain syndromes, athletic injuries and more. Emotional and Psychological benefits:

• Relieves anxiety, stress, depression and a like
• It can improve the quality and length of sleep
• It increases ones ability to concentrate
• mental relaxation
• Increases self-esteem

During the Swedish Massage: To facilitate the smooth strokes over the body during the session, massage therapist will use massage oils of your preference. The technique where the massage therapist uncovers the part of the body he/she is working on is called Dapping. Generally during Swedish massage sessions you are naked with just a towel or sheet. But as a new comer you can have your underwear on. Since Swedish massage usually includes applying pressure on areas of specific muscle tension, you can/ may request for your preferred pressure. The pressure to be applied can vary from light/ soft to firm/ hard. However, if you really want a more intensive massage work up and firmer pressure, you should get a different kind of massage known as deep tissue massage.

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Sara Ryan regularly writes for TIR Massage Stone, the leading hot stone massage supplies provider. They provide massage stones and many other accessories in the massage industry. Sphere: Related Content