Swedish massage is currently the most frequent form of therapeutic massage in the usa. It entails the application of soft hands, elbows or forearms to manipulate the deeper layers of muscles to improve physical and mental wellness. Passive or active manipulation of the joints may also feature within the massage web.
The origin of this particular technique is unclear, although it is thought to have been introduced by the early Scandinavians from the tenth century. It is usually used along with other techniques to aid the client in attaining optimal relaxation. In addition to assisting in comfort, Swedish massage has been shown to relieve pain and decrease blood pressure.
Swedish massage therapy involves gentle manipulation of muscles, which can be held and controlled by the therapist. This is accomplished by sliding hands along the length of the body. Massage therapy is a form of therapeutic touch therapy which uses soft strokes of kneading tissue along the surface of muscles and joints to ease pain and stress. In addition to promoting relaxation, the deep tissue manipulation also aids in the healing of torn and bruised muscles and soft tissues.
Swedish massage uses the same massage stroke techniques used in conventional treatment, such as effleurage, petrissage, tapotement and friction. But it incorporates a gentle circular motion which enables therapists to thoroughly penetrate the muscles and reduce the strain on the tendons and ligaments. This prevents the muscles from tensing up. A good therapist can reduce muscle stiffness by applying constant pressure.
A significant advantage of Swedish massage is its impact in reducing stress and tension, particularly in the back, shoulders and neck. Swedish massage relieves pain, improves blood circulation and reduces stress hormones. It improves the state of alertness, improves blood circulation, increases oxygen and carbon dioxide metabolism, and stimulates the nervous system. Other physical benefits include: reduced blood pressure, better immunity, improved mental health and less fatigue, relief from insomnia, and reduce skin inflammation.
Effleurage is one of the key strokes used in Swedish massage. In Swedish massage, effleurage is applied in the earlobe into the spine, and from the trunk to the neck and shoulders. The therapist uses long, flowing strokes that gradually increase pressure to the muscle, allowing the muscle to relax.
As compared to the traditional methods, Swedish massage techniques make use of fewer massaging strokes and concentrate more on effleurage and petrissage. Effleurage techniques include long, sweeping strokes, whereas petrissage techniques involve the use of kneading or gentle rubbing movements. While Swedish massage techniques are far more gentle than the traditional forms of massage, it's not as physically demanding as the other forms of massage therapies. This means that people who have physical conditions such as arthritis, Parkinson's disease or scoliosis can still derive lots of the health and wellness benefits of this type of therapy.
For nearly all patients, taking part in a daily Swedish massage will provide long-term health benefits, as well as help patients reduce their symptoms associated with pain, stiffness and immobility. To learn more about this remarkable massage type, contact the regional massage therapist today. Your therapist will be able to provide you with a complete Swedish massage therapy session designed just for you.
Throughout the Swedish massage therapy session, your therapist will concentrate his or her attention not just on the body areas being treated, but also on the tissues and muscles surrounding these areas. So as to enhance the therapeutic advantages of this massage fashion, it is essential for your therapist to apply suitable massage therapy techniques. These massage techniques ought to stimulate the lymphatic system, increase blood circulation, and encourage natural lymphatic drainage. Swedish massage therapy is known to improve the flow of lymph fluid throughout the body and increases the lymphatic drainage process, which helps to eliminate waste and toxins from the body.
A number of scientific studies have been conducted on the positive health effects of the sort of Swedish massage therapy on individuals suffering from high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, and even cancer. High blood pressure is a condition that results from excessive sodium in the blood. Individuals who suffer from high blood pressure may benefit from therapeutic techniques as a means to reduce the amount of sodium in their blood. This may potentially allow individuals with high blood pressure to decrease the need for medications and decrease the risk of heart attacks or strokes. Studies also indicate that Swedish massage therapy may be helpful for reducing the build up of lactic acid in the muscle tissues and reducing the pain associated with sore muscles.
Another condition that may benefit from the therapeutic use of Swedish massage techniques is those patients suffering from conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, partial wrist or hand tremors, and Rheumatoid arthritis. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve in the wrist becomes pressed or squeezed by the arm muscles, causing numbness or tingling sensations. Temporary relief from carpal tunnel syndrome can be accomplished by gently rotating the wrist or applying slight manipulation to the forearm muscles. Hand tremors are typically brought on by stress or anxiety, and may be treated with gentle squeezing, mezzanine strokes, or rhythmic stretching movements.
