The Benefits of Swedish Massage Therapy
Swedish massage is now the most common form of therapeutic massage in the US. It entails the application of soft hands, elbows or forearms to manipulate the deeper layers of muscles to improve physical and mental wellness. Passive or active manipulation of the joints can also feature within the massage.
The origin of this particular technique is uncertain, though it's supposed to have been released by the ancient Scandinavians from the tenth century. It is usually used along with other techniques to aid the client in achieving optimal relaxation. As well as assisting in relaxation, Swedish massage has been proven to relieve pain and reduce blood pressure.
Swedish massage treatment involves gentle manipulation of muscles, which can be held and controlled by the therapist. This is achieved by sliding hands along the length of the body. Massage therapy is a type of therapeutic touch therapy which utilizes gentle strokes of kneading tissue across 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. But it incorporates a gentle circular movement which allows 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 reduce muscle stiffness by applying constant pressure.
A major advantage of Swedish massage is its effect in reducing stress and tension, especially in the back, neck and shoulders. Swedish massage relieves pain, improves blood circulation and reduces stress hormones. It improves the condition of alertness, improves blood circulation, increases oxygen and carbon dioxide metabolism, and stimulates the nervous system. Other physical benefits include: reduced blood pressure, better immunity, improved mental health and less fatigue, relief from insomnia, and reduce skin inflammation.
Effleurage is one of the main strokes used in Swedish massage. In Swedish massage, effleurage is applied from the earlobe to the backbone, and from the back to the neck and shoulders. The therapist uses long, flowing strokes which slowly increase pressure to the muscle, allowing the muscle to relax.
In comparison with the traditional techniques, Swedish massage techniques make use of fewer massaging strokes and concentrate 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 a lot more gentle than the traditional forms of massage, it is 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 this 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 associated with pain, stiffness and immobility. To find out more about this remarkable massage type, contact your local massage therapist today. Your therapist will have the ability to supply you with a full Swedish massage therapy session designed just for you.
Through the Swedish massage therapy session, your therapist will concentrate their attention not only on the body areas being treated, but also on the muscles and tissues surrounding these regions. In order to enhance the therapeutic benefits of this massage fashion, it is essential for your therapist to apply suitable massage therapy methods. These massage techniques should stimulate the lymphatic system, increase blood flow, and encourage natural lymphatic drainage. Swedish massage therapy is known to increase 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 this type of Swedish massage therapy on individuals suffering from high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, and even cancer. High blood pressure is a condition that results from excessive sodium in the blood. Those who suffer from high blood pressure may benefit from therapeutic techniques as a way 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 might 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 therapy is those patients suffering from conditions such as 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 brought on by stress or anxiety, and can be treated with gentle squeezing, mezzanine strokes, or rhythmic stretching movements.