Swedish Massage is characterized by five basic stroke techniques: effleurage, petrissage, friction, tapotement and vibration. A massage therapist uses long gliding strokes on the top layer of muscles and uses kneading, vibration, percussion and active and passive movements.

Five basic strokes used in Full Body Swedish Massage technique

1. Effleurage: This massage stroke consists of long, gliding, sweeping strokes administered with hands (both open palm and fists) and forearms. It is further divided as light and deep effleurage strokes.

2. Petrissage: This stroke involves kneading, rolling, wringing and lifting actions, which help to free up knotted and bound muscles.

3. Friction: This is a warming stroke that quickly generates heat, and helps to absorb the medicated essential oils into the body. This stroke can be done by rubbing back and forth along the length of the muscle or across it by either using wringing motion or small circular movements.

4. Tapotement: This stroke includes tapping, hacking, and pounding actions that rhythmically stimulates nerves, muscles, and circulation. It helps in breaking the deep seated toxins and cellulite. Reduces soreness of the muscles and improves blood circulation.

5. Vibration: This stroke includes rocking, shaking and trembling movements. It helps in tissue relaxation which is superficial. It helps loosen joints and ligaments as well as improved synovial fluid activity in the joints thus improving joint flexibility.

Overall, Swedish massage technique involves rubbing muscles together in the same direction as the flow of blood to the heart.

The Swedish Massage improves blood circulation, which increases supply of nutrients and oxygen, and carry away wastes and toxins. It also facilitates the smooth flow of energy and communication among various systems in the body. Swedish Massage is also believed to activate some nerve fibers that transmit the signals of pressure and touch to the brain. These fibers are thought to be faster in action than those carrying pain signals to the brain. This is how massaging a painful site can override the sensation of pain.

How Does Swedish Massage Work?

The Swedish Massage improves blood circulation, which increases supply of nutrients and oxygen, and carry away wastes and toxins. It also facilitates the smooth flow of energy and communication among various systems in the body. Swedish Massage is also believed to activate some nerve fibers that transmit the signals of pressure and touch to the brain. These fibers are thought to be faster in action than those carrying pain signals to the brain. This is how massaging a painful site can override the sensation of pain.

Swedish Massage can help you for pain management and offer some more health benefits too.

• Relieves muscle tension, stretches tight ligaments and reduces stiffness in muscles and joints
• Stimulates lymphatic system to flush out the toxins
• Relaxes body by reducing pain
• Improved joint flexibility
• Promotes sleep by creating mental calmness

Although massage therapy overall helps to achieve mental and physical relaxation, it is important to note that each type of massage therapy has a unique significance.

• Swedish Massage use five typical strokes and works at the muscle level. Swedish Massage is a full body therapy that uses lotions, oils or cream for easy gliding strokes.
• Thai Massage is a dry therapy and does not use oil or lotions. It involves yoga-like stretching actions to remove muscle tensions.
• Swedish Massage is mainly intended to relieve muscular pain whereas Thai Massage stretches tight ligaments, improves body flexibility and reduces muscle fatigue
• Swedish Massage needs skin exposure for oil application whereas Thai Massage is performed with some loose clothing on.

• Swedish Massage acts at a muscular level and uses various massage stroked for its therapeutic action. Aromatherapy Massage on the other hand works on the principles of fragrance or aroma that stimulates the brain.
• If you are looking for a relaxing massage to get rid of mental stress, Swedish Massage may not be the right choice. Swedish Massage is intended for pain relief and relieves back pain, shoulder pain and neck pain caused by stress.
• Aromatherapy uses essential oils, the aroma of which reaches brain to cause relaxation and promote sleep.

Four Fountains De-Stress Spa offers full body Swedish Massage at a reasonable cost. Find out the cost of Swedish Massage at Four Fountains De-Stress Spa closet to you and Book Appointment.