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???

Source

 

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!