BODY SYNC KNOWLEDGE BASE

ABOUT SWEDISH MASSAGE

©2001-2008 Andrew Thompson

When compared to ancient forms of massage such as Chinese Acupressure and Shiatsu, the modality commonly known as Swedish Massage is very new.

It was first developed in 1812 by Per (Peter) Henrik Ling, a Swedish sportsman and healer. He formalised a set of routine massage moves, and named the technique "Kinesitherapy".

From 1840 to 1909, Dr John Merzger continued to develop the techniques made popular by Ling, and began to use massage in medical practice. Merzger and his followers are credited with coining the terms 'effleurage', 'petrissage' and 'tapotement', and bringing the term 'Swedish Massage' into common use.

Effleurage simply means 'to stroke'. Effleurage moves are light and gentle. They establish contact between therapist and client, relax the patient's body, aid surface circulation and lymphatic flow. Effleurage moves are generally used to begin and end a treatment routine.

Petrissage means 'to knead'. Petrissage moves can lift or squeeze or roll soft body tissue such as muscle or connective tissue (fascia. In Swedish Massage, petrissage is usually used with only moderate pressure as opposed to the deeper petrissage moves in Remedial Therapy. Petrissage techniques make muscles more pliable, and are used to relieve soreness and hypertonicity (cramping).

Tapotement means 'to rap or drum'. Tapotement moves involve swift moderate percussion-type moves such as hacking and cupping.

These techniques are excellent for stimulating tight muscles, especially where the cramp is old or stubborn. Tapotement stimulates neurons and helps reset muscle pliability and length.

Another technique used in Swedish Massage is called 'friction'. Usually performed with thumbs, fingertips, or knuckles, friction is mainly used around joints and where tendons and ligaments connect to bone, such as alongside the spine or tibia. Friction moves are deep and are very useful for breaking down adhesions (tight connective tissue) which restrict the body's range of motion.

Essentially though, Swedish Massage is only a relaxation therapy. Unlike remedial techniques which address the cause of a problem as well as the symptoms, Swedish Massage only addresses the symptoms. It's designed to ease the mind and spirit by releasing natural endorphins into the bloodstream, and to this end the techniques are very effective.

Nowadays with the enormous variety of massage techniques available from around the world, the term 'Swedish Massage' is often considered too limited or misleading, and the broader term 'Relaxation Massage' has become the new catch-phrase for the 21st century.

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