The Purpose of Swedish Massage

The technique of this therapeutic procedure, developed by the Stockholm physician Henrik Ling two centuries ago, has not lost its relevance today.

Its main purpose is:

• improvement of the circulatory system;
• deep action on compactions, adhesions or scars of damaged musculo-articular tissue;
• stretching of the neurovascular bundles.

Properly performed in humans, healing Swedish massage promotes:

• Better outflow of venous toxic and deoxygenated blood from the extremities.
• Shortening the recovery period after muscle strain.
• Clearing tissue of metabolic byproducts like lactic or uric acid.
• Restoration of ligament flexibility.
• Cleaning up of the psychological component.
• Relieving muscle cramps.
• Increase physical and mental activity.
• Restore skin smoothness.
• Eliminate cellulite.
• Improve lymphatic drainage.
• Accelerate healing of injuries.
• Maintain muscle tone.
• Activation of joint mobility.

Technique of Swedish Massage

This therapeutic and preventive procedure is done based on the traditional techniques of classical meditation.

An intensive manipulation of the deep tissues is the main focus here.

The massage usually lasts about an hour in complete silence and uses a special oil to reduce the effect of friction.

The aim of this technique is to stretch the most tense areas of the body with the hands and break the “knots” that limit a person’s range of motion, causing a certain discomfort.

During the session, the masseur must establish verbal contact with the patient, talking to him in order to remove unnecessary tension more quickly.

In this case all his movements should be performed slowly so that the patient gets a complete relaxation of each area of his body, completely “resetting” his organism.

In order to achieve a relaxing healing effect, the Swedish massage uses five basic elements of movement, which may have a variety of variations.

Therefore we will look at these basic techniques in a little more detail below.

Stroking

The stroking is the manipulative movement that begins the procedure.

The patient lays down on a special table so the masseur starts to gently and slowly stroke the area from the neck up to the back with his/her hands.

This technique allows the patient to fully relax and the masseur to locate the most stressed muscle groups that require further physical action.

Kneading

This is the next step of the procedure, which helps the patient to relax more and helps the masseur to stretch his/her muscles for the next manipulation movements.

During the kneading, the masseur squeezes, compresses and rolls the patient’s skin, slightly lifting the muscles away from the bones.

At the same time he finds out for himself the problem areas, and what forces should be applied to them.

Here it is very important not to hurt the person, and a correctly performed body warm-up will improve blood flow, which will promote the removal of toxins from the patient’s body.

Stretching

The rubbing is the culmination and the most intensive part of the whole European Spa procedure, where the patient is subjected to the maximum influence.

Here, the masseur must use his fingers and palms in a circular motion to rub the muscle tissues close to the bones in order to remove the clamps:

• eliminate the clamps that constrain the patient’s movements;
• increase muscle flexibility;
• restore body tone.

Tapping and Vibration

These two final steps in the main treatment consist of a series of percussive movements to relax the muscles.

They allow the patient to feel safe after the intense treatment, forgetting about recent problems to rest pleasantly.

With tapping, the masseur makes gentle patting and gentle slaps, and with vibration, he makes light oscillating movements with his palms.

Vibration and tapping will give the muscles the necessary tone after the treatment. But take our advice! Try to drink at least half a liter of clean water after each session in order to eliminate the remains of the drug load from your body and restore the elasticity of your muscles. Believe me, it will help you recover much faster.

Isabel Casey

Snowboarder, mother of 2, fender owner, International Swiss style practitioner and TDC honorary member. Doing at the crossroads of aesthetics and mathematics to craft experiences that go beyond design.