Swedish massage is a popular form of massage therapy that targets the uppermost layer of muscles and aims to relieve muscle tension. It involves long, kneading strokes combined with rhythmic tapping strokes and movement of the joints. Before the massage begins, the therapist will talk to you about your health and lifestyle, and ask you to lie on a specially-designed massage table and cover you with towels to protect your privacy and keep you warm. They will probably use creams or oils to help them to massage your skin smoothly. The four most common strokes used in Swedish massage are:
- Effleurage: smooth, gliding strokes to relax soft tissue
- Petrissage: squeezing, rolling, or kneading
- Friction: deep, circular movements to increase blood flow and break down scar tissue
- Tapotement: tapping or percussive movements
Swedish massage is gentler than deep tissue massage and better suited for people interested in relaxation and tension relief. It can help you relax, give you more energy, and may help after an injury. Swedish massage may loosen up tight muscles caused by daily activities such as sitting at the computer or exercising, and can be very helpful for people who hold a lot of tension in their lower back, shoulders, and neck. It may also help reduce symptoms of depression, stress, and anxiety, and manage back pains, headaches, muscle pains, and other symptoms that could be managed by massage therapy.
