What Exactly Is A Swedish Massage?
What exactly is a Swedish Massage? I get this inquiry a lot from folks who have never had a massage before. First of all, Swedish work does not really involve deep, specific work, as in Triggerpoint or Deep tissue work. It consists mainly of long, gliding strokes, but it can be integrated to a certain extent with some deep tissue work, depending on the clients’ needs and timeframe allotment of the session.
Some of the techniques go a bit deeper into the musculature, but again, certainly not as deep as Triggerpoint or deep tissue. It is wonderful for general relaxation, however, as the work has a type of flow and rythym. It is wonderful for stress, and for helping the immune system.
The term “Swedish massage” is confusing, because it did not originate in Sweden, nor was the originator a Swede! Nor is there Swedish Massage in Sweden!
In Europe, the technique is called “Classic Massage”. In America, this term is used infrequently, or is called “Classic Swedish”.
And to add to the confusion, some of the techniques have French names! In all, this art form is considered the most basic of all massage types, and that’s why it’s used so frequently in spas and resorts. To many of us LMT’s, it is our “bread and butter”.
Here’s a brief history of Modern Swedish Massage: First of all, (and I may be criticized for saying this) Peter Henry Ling (1776-1837) was not the father of Swedish Massage. It was not part of his gymnastic program at the Central Gymnastic institute in 1813. Johan Mezger (1838-1909) was the real father, and started using French terminology to describe the techniques. Ling’s Techniques were more based on Kinesiology, the study of movement.
Eventually, the medical community picked up on all this, and in the 1890’s, a man named John Harvey Kellog, M.D., began popularizing this at the Battle Creek Sanitarium in Michigan, and at other locations worldwide. The term “spa” was not popular back then. This was not a mental institution, just a place to unwind!
Kellog had the full spectrum of therapies, however, including Hydrotherapy, light (solar) therapy, exercise and weight loss programs, nutrition, and many others.
In the movie “Titanic”, you will see a scene showing some of the weight training devices used back then. They even had “massage machines”. Many hilarious scenes in the “Three Stooges”, “Little Rascals”, etc. involved fooling around with a machine that had a vibrating belt that went around your waist. The machines were still in use into the 1930’s even through the 1950’s. These originated in the sanitariums.
Steam bath machines were also popular. Modern Pilates fans will also notice some Pilates equipment in that scene, contraptions using ropes and pulleys. That however, was designed by Joseph Pilates, a dance instructor. Sidenote: The Pilates “Reformer” is nothing new. The modern version has just been streamlined a bit! Mr. Pilates practiced in the 1920’s.
In a nutshell, the origins of Modern Swedish Massage actually came from the gymnastic community,
(Gymnastics was much more popular then than it is today), and Swedish Massage has been expanded upon ever since. It was often used in conjunction with this equipment
These days, you will see spin-offs of Classic Swedish, such as the beautiful California based “Esalen Massage”, which adds a much greater emphasis to “flow”, it is like a dance form almost! So if you’re ever in Big Sur, they’ll massage you on a porch overlooking the cliffs and waves. You can’t beat that!
Some Swedish Massage terms and techniques: (Qu’est-que-c’est?)
Effleurage:
Long gliding strokes; great for “opening and greeting” the area, such as the upper back, shoulders, neck. A good effleurage does not use too much oil or lotion! Ideally, there should be just a little bit of friction so the area is worked properly. A lot of LMT’s make this mistake.
Petrissage:
Picture youself “kneading” bread dough. It’s that simple. Petrissage does go a bit deeper, but is still “general”, compared to “deep tissue” work, which is more specific and targeted. This technique helps unwind the superficial layers of muscle fascia, a cartilage sheath that surrounds all muscle, and can be found just under the first layer of skin.
Tapotement:
Tapping, drumming motions, with various names like “cupping”, “slapping” (gently!) “quacking” or “clacking”, where the hands are brought together in a “prayer position” and drummed on the client, making a strange sound. You will also see this in old movies, it’s fun to watch
One last Swedish Massage term:
Vibration:
Generally, this is done with the therapists’ hands. Great for releasing shoulders and neck. There are lots of massage cushions, chairs, and massage products that rely mostly on this technique, many combine this with heat also. They do work well! I own a vibrating office chair cushion that has vibrating points at intervals up and down the center of the spine. Great for “realigning your Chakras”, but that’s a whole different article!
So if you just need to relax, and are not feeling tension in any specific area of your body, try a Swedish
massage from a licensed practitioner.
http://www.Hartfordmassageinfo.com
Tags: classic massage, health, Swedish massage
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