The Benefits of Swedish Massage Therapy
Swedish massage is now the most frequent form of therapeutic massage in the usa. It entails the use of soft hands, elbows or forearms to control the deeper layers of muscles to improve physical and mental health. Passive or active manipulation of the joints can also feature within the massage.
The origin of this particular technique is uncertain, although it is supposed to have been released by the early Scandinavians from the tenth century. It is usually used in conjunction with other techniques to assist the client in achieving optimal relaxation. In addition to assisting in comfort, Swedish massage has been shown to relieve pain and reduce blood pressure.
Swedish massage treatment involves gentle manipulation of muscles, which are held and controlled by the therapist. This is accomplished by sliding hands along the length of the body. Massage therapy is a form of therapeutic touch therapy which utilizes soft strokes of kneading tissue along the surface of muscles and joints to ease pain and stress. In addition to promoting relaxation, the deep tissue manipulation also aids in the healing of torn and bruised muscles and soft tissues.
Swedish massage uses the identical massage stroke techniques used in conventional treatment, such as effleurage, petrissage, tapotement and friction. However, it incorporates a gentle circular movement which enables therapists to more thoroughly penetrate the muscles and lessen the strain on the tendons and ligaments. This prevents the muscles from tensing up. A good therapist can decrease muscle stiffness by applying constant pressure.
A major advantage of Swedish massage is its effect in reducing stress and tension, especially in the back, shoulders and neck. Swedish massage relieves pain, improves blood circulation and reduces stress hormones. It enhances the state of alertness, improves lymphatic flow, increases oxygen and carbon dioxide metabolism, and stimulates the nervous system. Other physical benefits include: reduced blood pressure, better immunity, increased mental health and less fatigue, relief from insomnia, and reduce skin inflammation.
Effleurage is one of the key strokes used in Swedish massage. In Swedish massage, effleurage is applied from the earlobe into the backbone, and from the back to the shoulders and neck. The therapist uses long, flowing strokes which gradually increase pressure to the muscle, allowing the muscle to relax.
As compared to the traditional methods, Swedish massage techniques make use of fewer massaging strokes and focus more on effleurage and petrissage. Effleurage techniques include long, sweeping strokes, whereas petrissage techniques involve using kneading or gentle rubbing movements. While Swedish massage techniques are far more gentle than the standard forms of massage, it's not as physically demanding as the other kinds of massage therapies. This means that people who have physical conditions such as arthritis, Parkinson's disease or scoliosis can still derive lots of the health and wellness benefits of the type of therapy.
For the majority of patients, taking part in a daily Swedish massage will offer long-term health benefits, in addition to help patients reduce their symptoms related to pain, stiffness and immobility. To find out more about this amazing massage type, contact your local massage therapist today. Your therapist will be able to provide you with a complete Swedish massage therapy session designed just for you.
Through the Swedish massage therapy session, your therapist may concentrate his or her attention not just on the body areas being treated, but also on the muscles and tissues surrounding these areas. So as to enhance the therapeutic advantages of this massage style, it is essential for your therapist to employ suitable massage therapy techniques. These massage techniques ought to stimulate the lymphatic system, increase blood circulation, and promote natural lymphatic drainage. Swedish massage therapy is proven to improve the flow of lymph fluid through the body and increases the lymphatic drainage process, which helps to eliminate toxins and waste from the body.
Several scientific studies have been done on the positive health effects of the type of Swedish massage treatment on individuals suffering from hypertension, diabetes, stroke, and even cancer. High blood pressure is a condition that results from excess sodium in the blood. Those who suffer from high blood pressure may benefit from therapeutic techniques as a means to reduce the amount of sodium in their blood. This could potentially allow individuals with high blood pressure to reduce the need for medications and reduce the risk of heart attacks or strokes. Studies also indicate that Swedish massage therapy may be helpful for reducing the build up of lactic acid in the muscle tissues and reducing the pain associated with sore muscles.
Another condition that may benefit from the therapeutic use of Swedish massage techniques is those patients suffering from conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, partial wrist or hand tremors, and Rheumatoid arthritis. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve in the wrist becomes pressed or squeezed by the arm muscles, causing numbness or tingling sensations. Temporary relief from carpal tunnel syndrome can be achieved by gently rotating the wrist or applying slight manipulation into the forearm muscles. Hand tremors are typically caused by stress or anxiety, and can be treated using gentle squeezing, mezzanine strokes, or rhythmic stretching movements.