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Definition
Swedish massage is the most popular type of massage
in Canada and the United States. It involves the use of hands, forearms or
elbows to manipulate the superficial layers of the muscles to improve
mental and physical health. Active or passive movement of the joints may
also be part of the massage. The benefits of Swedish massage include
increased blood circulation, mental and physical relaxation, decreased
stress and muscle tension, and improved range of motion.
Origins
Swedish massage was invented by a Swedish fencing
instructor named Per Henrik Ling in the 1830s. When he was injured in the
elbows, he reportedly cured himself using tapping (percussion) strokes
around the affected area. He later developed the technique currently known
as Swedish massage.
This technique was brought to the United
States from Sweden by two brothers, Dr. Charles and Dr. George Taylor in
the 1850s. The specific techniques used in Swedish massage involve the
application of long gliding strokes, friction, and kneading and tapping
movements on the soft tissues of the body. Sometimes, passive or active
joint movements are also used.
Benefits
Unlike drug therapy, which is often associated with
many systemic and long-term side effects, massage therapy is relatively
safe and has few contraindications. It also provides many benefits.
Physical benefits
There are numerous physical benefits associated with
the use of Swedish massage:
Loosening tight muscles and stretching connective
tissues.
Relieving cramps and muscle spasms and decreasing
muscle fatigue.
Loosening joints and improving range of motion
Increasing muscle strength.
Sedating the nervous system.
Stimulating blood circulation.
Firming up muscle and skin tone.
Relieving symptoms of such disorders as asthma,
arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic and acute pain syndromes,
myofacial pain, headache, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, and
athletic injuries.
Speeding up healing from injury and illness.
Improving lymphatic drainage of metabolic wastes.
Mental and Emotional Benefits
Mental benefits associated with massage therapy
include the following:
Mental relaxation.
Improvement in length and quality of sleep.
Relief of stress, depression, anxiety and irritation.
Increased ability to concentrate.
Improved sense of well-being.
Description
In Swedish massage, the person to be
massaged lies on a massage table and is draped with a towel or sheet. It
is a full-body massage treatment, except in areas that are contraindicated
or where the client requests not to be touched.
Aromatic or unscented oil or lotion is used
to facilitate the massage movements. Each session usually lasts 30-60
minutes. Depending on the client's preferences, a massage session may
involve the use of several or all of the following basic techniques:
Effleurage
Petrissage
Friction
Vibration
Tapotement
Effleurage
Effleurage is the most common stroke in Swedish
massage. It is a free-flowing and gliding movement towards the heart,
tracing the contours of the body using the palm of one or both hands. Oil
is applied with this stroke to begin the first stage of massage. The
therapist applies a light or medium constant pressure. This stroke is used
to warm up the muscles, relax the body, calm the nerves, improve blood
circulation and heart function, and improve lymphatic drainage.
Petrissage
This technique resembles kneading dough. It involves
lifting, rolling, and squeezing the flesh under or between the hands.
Petrissage is designed to release muscle tension, improve blood flow, and
increase lymphatic drainage.
Friction
Friction strokes work on deeper muscles than
the techniques previously described. The friction technique is a pressure
stroke and is the deepest that is used in Swedish massage.
The massage therapist applies pressure by
placing the weight of his or her body on the flat of the hand and the pads
of the thumbs, knuckles, fingers, or the back of the forearms, and then
releases the pressure slowly and gently. This movement should be a
continuous sliding motion or a group of alternating circular motions.
Vibration
To effect vibration, the massage therapist gently
shakes or trembles the flesh with the hand or fingertips, then moves on to
another spot and repeats this stroke. Vibration is designed to release
muscle tension in small muscle areas, such as those on the face or along
the spine.
Tapotement
Tapotement, or tapping and percussion, is a quick,
choppy, rhythmic movement that has a stimulating or toning effect. The
following are variations of tapotement:
Cupping: The therapist forms the hands into a
cup shape with fingers straight but bending only at the lower knuckles;
the thumbs are kept close to the palms. The therapist strikes the flesh
with the flat of the hands one after another in quick succession.
Hacking: This technique is similar to cupping.
The therapist uses the sides of the hands with palms facing one another to
make a chopping movement.
Pummeling:
For this stroke, the therapist
makes loose fists in both hands and applies them rapidly in succession
over the thighs and buttocks.
Tapotement techniques are invigorating to most people
but may be too strong for some. When prolonged, tapotement leads to over
stimulation and even exhaustion of the nerves and muscles. In addition, it
should not be used over varicose veins or directly above bony structures.
Preparations
Swedish massage requires
the following equipment:
Massage surface:
This may be a professional
massage table or any firm but well-padded surface.
A clean sheet to cover the part of the body that is
not massaged.
Cushions: These may be needed, depending on
the client's wishes, to prevent lower back pain. The cushions may be
placed under the head and the knees.
Oils: The base oil should be a vegetable oil,
cold pressed, unrefined, and free of additives. These oils contain such
nutrients as vitamins and minerals in addition to fatty acids. They do not
clog the pores as mineral oils often do. Essential (aromatic) oils may be
added to provide additional relaxation or other therapeutic effects.
Massage oil should be warmed in the therapist's hands before it is applied
to the client's skin.
Precautions
Swedish massage should not be given to patients with
the following physical disorders or conditions:
Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
Fever.
Broken bones, fractures, dislocations, or severe
sprains.
Contagious diseases.
Open or unhealed sores or wounds.
Body areas that are inflamed, swollen or bruised.
Varicose veins.
Recent surgery.
Severe pain.
Jaundice.
Frostbite.
Kidney disease.
Large hernias.
Hemorrhaging.
Torn ligaments, tendons, or muscles.
High blood pressure or heart problems
certain kinds of cancer.
History of phlebitis or thrombosis (These
patients may have blood clots that may become dislodged and travel
to the lungs, with potentially fatal results).
Drug treatment with blood thinners (These medications
increase the risk of bleeding under the skin).
Some clients with histories of physical violence or
abuse may feel uncomfortable about removing their clothing or other
aspects of massage. A brief explanation of what happens in a massage
session and how they can benefit from massage is usually helpful.
Side Effects
There have been few reported side effects associated
with massage of low or moderate intensity. Intense massage, however, may
increase the risk of injury to the body. Vigorous massage has been
associated with muscle pain and such injuries as bleeding in the liver or
other vital organs, and the dislodgment of blood clots.
Research & General Acceptance
Swedish massage is now gaining acceptance
from the medical community as a complementary treatment. Studies have
shown that massage can relax the body, decrease blood pressure and heart
rate, and reduce stress and depression.
It may also provide symptomatic relief for
many chronic diseases. Many doctors now prescribe massage therapy as
symptomatic treatment for headache, facial pain, carpal tunnel syndrome,
arthritis, other chronic and acute conditions, stress, and athletic
injuries. Many insurance companies now reimburse patients for prescribed
massage therapy.
As of 2000, however, Medicare and Medicaid
do not pay for this form of alternative treatment. |
