It’s not just for relaxation
Swedish massage is an intuitive thing we’ve done since the beginning of time. When we hurt ourselves, or have a headache, we intuitively rub the area that hurts for relief. Swedish Massage defines the basic strokes of massage. Its development has been widely accredited to a fencing instructor in Sweden, Per Henrik Ling, in the 1830’s. While Ling did develop a system of gymnastic that was the latest in healthcare at that time, and quite controversial, it was Johann Georg Mezger that developed what we know as Swedish Massage. That’s why the names of the strokes are French and not Swedish. As Mezger was Dutch and Ling was Swedish. In fact, today, in Europe, Swedish massage is known as Classical massage and the term Swedish massage is unknown. No one knows for sure how this fact got mixed up in history but nevertheless, this is the foundation of massage being accredited as a medical benefit. There are 5 basic massage techniques that Mezger defined. Effleurage, Petrissage, Friction, Vibration, and Tapotement.
Effleurage is French for “to skim” or to “touch lightly” and is used to describe strokes that glide over the surface of the skin. It can be used with any level of pressure needed. Effleurage increases circulation of blood and lymphatic fluid and is performed in a motion from the extremities toward the heart.
Petrissage is a kneading, rolling, and grasping type motion. It’s used to squeeze individual muscles or muscle groups. The squeezing and lifting motion relax the muscles mechanically and neurologically. Petrissage helps increase circulation, release muscle contractions and toxins trapped in the muscle tissue and reduce soreness.
Friction is one of the deepest strokes of Swedish (or Classical) Massage. It’s a compressive force that sinks deep past the superficial tissue. The tips of fingers, elbows, heel of hand, and thumb are used in small strokes usually across the muscle fibers. Friction is used to relieve the deeper levels of muscle tissue and to break up scar tissue and adhesions.
Vibration is a shaking or jostling technique often applied with an electric massager. The primary effect is on the nervous system. The rapid vibration can release muscle spasms and tension by overstimulating the sensory nervous system. Vibrations can reset the neurological message and stop it from sending the message to chronically contract.
Tapotement are brisk, rapid, striking movements in rhythm. The variety of striking movements are Beating, a closed fist lightly hitting an area; Slapping, the use of fingers to gently slap; Hacking, the use of the edge of hand on pinky finger side; Tapping, using just fingertips; and Cupping, make your hand look like a cup and gently tap an area. Tapotement has a consistent rhythm and has a similar effect as vibration but more intense. Unlike vibration, it can also be used to break up congestion.
Swedish massage is the ballet of massage. It’s the foundation of movements that we dance and all other specialized techniques begin with mastering these classical strokes.