Bodywork Healing Modalities - Swedish Massage
One of the most commonly taught and well-known massage techniques, Swedish massage is designed to energize the body by stimulating circulation. Five basic strokes, all flowing toward the heart, are used to manipulate the soft tissues of the body. The disrobed client is covered by a sheet, with only the area being worked on exposed. Oil is applied to reduce friction on the skin. 
  • Efflueragefrom the French effleurer meaning "to skim over," involves the use of long gliding strokes.
  • Petrissagefrom the French pétrir, "to knead."
  • Frictionconsists of small, deep movements on a local area.
  • Tapotementalso know as percussion, involves brisk tapping or pounding.
  • Compressionapplying force to tissues with various depths of pressure.
  • Vibrationrhythmic movements of tissues, shaking.


Swedish Massage E-mail
Written by Administrator   
Thursday, 14 August 2008 00:15
  • Geographic Origin: Europe
  • Lineage: Hippocrates, Celsus and Galen -> Renaissance physicians
    such as Mercurialis (Italy), Pare (France) and Bright (England) ->
    French medico-chirurgical gymnastics + German gymnastics ->
    Per Henrik Ling (Sweden) -> Johan Georg Mezger (Netherlands)
  • Technique Depth: Incremental (Medium)
  • Body Support: massage table
  • Therapist's Primary Tool: hands 
  • Required Equipment: none
  • Lubrication: oil, lotion or creme
  • Access to Skin: client is unclothed under sheet or towel drape 

Last Updated on Wednesday, 12 August 2009 13:32
 
Swedish Associations and Certifications in the U.S. E-mail
Written by Administrator   
Saturday, 16 August 2008 17:12
  • Associations
  • Licensing
  • Certification

Last Updated on Saturday, 06 September 2008 13:59
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Swedish Massage Education in the U.S. E-mail
Written by Administrator   
Saturday, 16 August 2008 18:22

In the U.S. Swedish massage is the foundational style taught.  As a result, seminars and workshops are not usually found for professionals.  For the layman not interested in a year's worth of full-time training, check your local adult education outlet, as couple's massage classes are offered in many localities that are a few hours long.  As Swedish is the "classic" or baseline style in the U.S., this type of course will typically be introducing Swedish massage.

Last Updated on Saturday, 06 September 2008 14:01
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