What Does that Mean??? Swedish Massage

Swedish Massage is a term you probably hear often with regards to massage... but what exactly does that mean??  And why is it named after the Swedish???

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We have Per Henrik Ling to thank for this!!  He developed a system of medical exercises and massage... This system deeply influenced both physical therapy and massage therapy.  The massage elements of his work gave rise to Swedish Massage.

These main elements are: effleurage, petrissage, friction, tapotement and vibration.  A Swedish Massage can incorporate any of these techniques.

Effleurage is those nice long strokes the massage therapist uses to warm up and test the tissue.

Petrissage is also known as kneading and can help break up adhesions and work on tissue holding patterns.

Friction is deep circular rubbing movements.  This is excellent for warming tissue!

Tapotement is percussive movement.  It can be finger tips tapping, or hands chopping.

Vibration  is rapid shaking or vibration of specific muscles.  This works great to check tissue mobility and to help release tissue from other tissues it might be holding onto, and should not be!

Swedish Massage can be incorporated into other styles of massage.  It tends to be your general massage that you think of right off when you think of a massage for relaxation!

Guess where Per Henrik Ling is from???  Oh you guessed it!  Sweeden!

What Does that Mean??? Myofascial Release (MFR)

As defined by Susan G. Salvo in Massage Therapy Principles and Practice (3rd Edition) Myofascial Release (MFR) "refers to a group of manual techniques used to reduce fascial restrictions.  Several variations for achieving this result can be used, including deep gliding, torquing and skin rolling".

My interpretation of MFR, based on my training in massage school (which was primarily provided by a Rolfer) and my continuing education on this topic, is that with MFR the therapist provides a vector of force against tissue.  It's concentrated force, not necessarily strong force, just a force.  This continues as the tissue melts and change can occur.

You can expect several different techniques if you receive MFR at Breathe Massage Therapy LLC:

• Skin Rolling.  Skin rolling works to release the superficial layers of fascia from deeper layers.  This allows the therapist to work deeper.
• Deep glide.  Deep glide involves the slow long concentrated strokes that provide a concentrated force against your tissue, helping it flow from solid to gel states.  This also helps to direct the scar tissue as to which direction to lay itself down.
• Cross Hand Stretches.  This has pressure being applied by the hands in opposing directions to allow the tissue to stretch and unwind.
• Scar Tissue Release.  Several techniques are employed to release healed scar tissue.  This can be painful at times.  As with other forms of MFR, it may take several sessions to release a scar.