Swedish
massage currently represents the western "standard" for
massage therapy. Also commonly known as "therapeutic massage",
Swedish Massage represents a general massage system that focuses on increasing
circulation and promoting relaxation.
When you picture massage, you're probably thinking of Swedish massage
or a derivative. Spas, salons, and health and fitness clubs typically
offer this form of massage. Consumers can also find Swedish massage offered
in many chiropractic offices.
Most often, massage therapists receive initial training in Swedish massage
techniques as part of their certification and licensing process. To maintain
professional certification, therapists must take continuing education
courses, and may elect to progress to more advanced forms of Swedish Massage
or learn additional techniques.
Swedish Massage represents the most common form of massage in the United States. Therapists frequently develop their own unique styles of massage based on the fundamental moves from the Swedish "school" of massage.
The Swedish massage approach classifies 5 types of strokes:
- Effleurage - gliding
- Petrissage - kneading
- Friction - rubbing
- Tapotement - pounding
- Vibration - shaking
Each type of stroke offers different benefits.
Swedish massage therapists
focus most often on client relaxation using this technique, relying mostly
on gliding and kneading strokes, as well as oils and lotions. Clients
typically receive a full-body Swedish massage that lasts 60 to 90 minutes.
Swedish Massage Background
Modern U.S. massage began to develop in Europe in the 19th century. A
Swedish physiologist and gymnastics instructor, named Pehr Henrik Ling,
developed and promoted his own system of massage thus being Swedish massage.
He primarily classified the massage techniques used by Greeks and Romans
in ancient times. Ling's system, which he called Medical Gymnastics, became
more commonly known as Swedish massage.
In the United States, Pehr Ling is also considered the "father of physical therapy". Massage only constituted approximately 10% of the techniques used by Ling when providing treatments. Ironically, I have met massage therapists native to Sweden, that trained in Sweden, and never heard of Pehr Ling.
Later, a Dutch physician,
named Johann Mezger, promoted Swedish massage using a medical model. Most
credited Mezger with introducing and popularizing the use of French terminology
to describe the system. Swedish massage represents one form of Western
methods of massage.
To learn more about Swedish Massage and its history:
The History of Massage and Bodywork