What Is a Swedish Massage?
Swedish massage is one of the most common types of massages you can get. It is performed to energize the body and improve overall health. This type of massage includes actions like tapping, kneading, vibrating, tapping and rolling. Massage oil or cream is used to protect the skin from friction.
The health benefits of Swedish massage
Massages are a great way to relax and unwind. Massage involves manipulation of the muscles and joints to relieve tension or pain. This is achieved by relaxing busy muscles and promoting blood circulation.
Getting a Swedish massage can also benefit your heart. A masseur (a person who practices massage) performs manipulations on the soft tissues of the body (muscles, tendons, ligaments and blood vessels) and uses blows that flow towards the heart, improving blood circulation.
Swedish massage may help reduce symptoms of depression, stress and anxiety. Some of the symptoms that can be treated through massage include back pain, headaches, muscle problems and other chronic pains.
Massages are also associated with strengthening immunity. It can help you in managing conditions like colds, asthma, diabetes and breast cancer.
Nerve stimulation. By applying pressure and operating the muscles, Swedish massage helps to stimulate nerves located in different parts of the body. The nerves can be stimulated in a way that helps manage pain and discomfort.
Mood boosters. Massages have been found to improve mood by promoting the production of dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin. These hormones work to stabilize your mood, and help you feel happy and positive. Swedish massage can also reduce the production of cortisol, a stress-causing hormone.
Stress relievers. Also known as adhesions, knots can be quite painful. The Swedish massage warms the muscles and breaks down the ligament spots and relieves the tension gathered in the ligaments. If you have a severe case of adhesions, consider other, more intense types of massages.
lymph drainage. Lymphatic drainage occurs naturally when you use your muscles. However, if for some reason you do not move or use your muscles, the lymph fluid may accumulate. It can cause an accumulation of toxins. Swedish massage can help treat this problem.
Improving flexibility. Massages help to relax the muscles and joints. This improves your range of motion, which in turn increases your stretching ability.
Swedish massage techniques
Swedish massage combines a variety of massage techniques to provide and promote healing.
Appleryage. Appleurage is used at the beginning of the massage as a warm-up and at the end of the session to relax the muscles. This technique involves circular strokes or gentle gliding. The masseur applies different levels of pressure to the body to loosen knots. It also helps in relieving stress. There are three classes of applause, each based on the amount of pressure the masseur uses. These classes are feather stroking, superficial flux and deeper flux. The degree of pressure applied depends on the needs of the person receiving the massage.
Patricage. This technique consists of a deeper kneading motion. The massager manually compresses your soft tissues rhythmically. The most common ways to perform patrication include kneading, squeezing, rolling and lifting. Petrissage helps to stretch and release muscles and promote blood circulation. Performing a patrisage takes the longest time in a Swedish massage. It is best for people with injured muscles because it provides many therapeutic benefits.
friction. As the name implies, this technique involves rubbing on the massage area using the thumbs or fingers. The masseur may apply pressure at a circular or linear pace, rubbing the afternoon area to soften and re-align the muscles. This technique works best on joints.
vibration. This technique involves rhythmic shaking of the massage area. By doing so, the body is released and relaxed. The masseur may use his palms to shake the skin and muscles on the back. If the massage area is small or sensitive, like your face, they may use their fingers. Vibration works best for soothing nerves in areas with scars or large knots.
Is it worth doing a Swedish massage?
Massage is widely used as a complementary treatment for many different conditions. The physiological and psychological benefits of massages are innumerable. Massage therapy is not only beneficial for people dealing with health conditions, it is also recommended for physically fit and healthy people. A Swedish massage will help you feel great, whether you are in pain or just want to relax.
