Swedish Massage
What is a Swedish Massage?
Swedish Massage is the most commonly known massage. The term “Swedish Massage” refers to a variety of techniques specifically designed to relax muscles by applying pressure to them against deeper muscles and bones, and rubbing in the same direction as the flow of blood returning to the head.
Stress makes muscles tense and bunch up, causing pain. Also, it makes the organs of the body function under duress. The focus of Swedish Massage is general relaxation, stimulation of circulation, enhancing muscle tone and is also therapeutic in reducing muscle tightness.
Swedish Massage was developed in the 1700’s by a Swedish doctor named Per Henrik Ling.
Swedish Massage for whom?
Swedish Massage is a safe and effective treatment that is beneficial for everybody to promote and ensure overall health. This therapy can help with injuries or disease and also aid stress-relief (often the cause of muscle tension).
It reduces stress, both emotional and physical, and is suggested in a regular program for stress management.
Contra indications are wounds, infections or bruising on the skin. Muscle or ligament tears should be left to heal before massage is applied.
Benefits of a Swedish Massage
The main purpose of Swedish Massage is to increase the oxygen flow in the blood and to release toxins from the muscles. Swedish Massage feels good, is relaxing and invigorating. It affects the nerves, muscles, glands, and blood circulation whilst promoting health and wellbeing. Swedish Massage shortens recovery time from muscular strain by flushing the tissues of lactic acid, uric acid, and other metabolic wastes. It increases circulation without increasing heart load. It stretches the ligaments and tendons keeping them supple and pliable. Swedish Massage also stimulates the skin and nervous system and soothes the nerves themselves at the same time.
What is the massage like?
The client will lie on a massage couch wearing their underwear covered by a towel and blanket. The therapist uncovers only the part of the body that is worked on to maintain dignity at all times. Typically a full Swedish Massage lasts one hour. The therapist will use essential oils and/or creams for the massage. Essential oils act directly upon the hypothalamic (brain) centre which has a balancing effect upon the pituitary gland known as the hypophysis. These oils and creams also nourish the skin. Gentle pressure is applied to promote relaxation and the ease of muscle tension and to create an overall feeling of wellbeing.
Feel free to let us know how much pressure should be applied during the treatment. Pressure levels can vary from ‘very light’ to ‘very firm’.
Similar to a Sports Massage the Swedish Massage usually includes some ‘deeper work’ on areas of specific tension.
After a treatment
The term ‘grounded’ describes the deeply relaxed feeling the recipient will experience for many hours or even days following the treatment. Therefore we suggest the recipient takes some time to enjoy the deep state of relaxation and to slowly come back to full awareness. Some people might be too relaxed to drive, for example, until about 15 minutes after the treatment.
After the session the body finds it easier to flush out any ‘waste’. The recipient will gain maximum benefit from the treatment if resting afterwards and drinking plenty of water – being aware of the detoxifying effect for about 48 hours after the treatment.