What is Swedish Body Massage?

Swedish Body massage is the manipulation of soft tissues to relieve muscular spasms and pain, to improve blood circulation and provide some form of relaxation. The massage can be either a full body massage (massage of the neck, back, full legs {front and back}, stomach, lymph area on upper chest, arms and shoulders) or just a neck and back massage depending on the client and is usually carried out using a good base oil such as Grapeseed oil. A high quality oil allows the therapist’s hands to glide over the body and apply suitable pressure therefore allowing a good massage to take place.

What are the benefits?

Massage has both physical and mental benefits. It may help with:

• Reducing tension and stress in the muscles

• Reducing mental tension and stress

• Reducing high blood pressure

• Improving skin and muscle tone

• Improving bowel function

• Improve circulation and lymphatic flow

• Relaxing the body and mind

• Promoting freedom and flexibility in joints

• Keeping the system in balance

 

What techniques do we use?
Effleurage: It is a stroking technique, using the palm and fingers gently moulding to the contours of the body to apply the massage oil and forms the first and last movements of most massages. 
Petrissage:  Means to knead and uses the pressure of the hand and or fingers to break down tension in specific muscle groups.  
Friction: Using the thumbs or fingers in specific areas of tightness or for working closely on a small area e.g. around joints.   
Hacking: Basically chopping with loose wrists - palms facing together, with the little fingers closest to the muscle group being worked on.  
Cupping: This is done by forming a cup shape with the hands and then gently striking the muscles with the palm to create a vacuum against the skin – this movement should sound like horses hooves. 
Beating: The hands are loose fists with the little fingers towards the muscle group to be worked on.  Alternating fists to strike the muscles sounds like a light clicking.
Vibration: The muscle is gently vibrated by the palm of the hand or by the finger tips – with the masseur contracting their own arm muscles.