The Benefits of Swedish Massage Therapy
Swedish massage is currently the most common type of therapeutic massage in the US. 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 may also feature as part of the massage.
The origin of this particular technique is unclear, though it's supposed to have been introduced by the early Scandinavians in the tenth century. It's usually used along with other techniques to assist the client in attaining optimal relaxation. In addition to assisting in comfort, Swedish massage has been shown to relieve pain and decrease blood pressure.
Swedish massage treatment involves gentle manipulation of muscles, which are held and manipulated 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 uses 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 same massage stroke techniques used in traditional therapy, such as effleurage, petrissage, tapotement and friction. But it incorporates a gentle circular motion that enables therapists to thoroughly penetrate the muscles and reduce the strain on the joints and ligaments. This prevents the muscles from tensing up. A good therapist can reduce muscle stiffness by applying constant pressure.
A major benefit of Swedish massage is its effect in reducing stress and tension, particularly 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, increased 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 put from the earlobe into the spine, and from the trunk to the shoulders and neck. The therapist uses long, flowing strokes that gradually increase pressure to the muscle, allowing the muscle to relax.
In comparison with 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 the use of kneading or gentle rubbing movements. While Swedish massage techniques are a lot more gentle than the standard forms of massage, it's not as physically demanding as the other forms 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 nearly all patients, taking part in a daily Swedish massage will offer long-term health benefits, as well as 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 treatment session designed just for you.
Through the Swedish massage therapy session, your therapist will concentrate their attention not just on the body areas being treated, but also on the muscles and tissues surrounding these areas. In order to enhance the therapeutic advantages of this massage style, it is essential for your therapist to employ appropriate massage therapy techniques. These massage techniques ought to stimulate the lymphatic system, increase blood flow, and encourage natural lymphatic drainage. Swedish massage therapy is proven to improve the flow of lymph fluid throughout the body and increases the lymphatic drainage process, which helps to eliminate toxins and waste from the body.
Several scientific studies are done on the positive health effects of the sort 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. Individuals who suffer from high blood pressure may benefit from therapeutic techniques as a means to decrease the amount of sodium in their blood. This could potentially allow individuals with high blood pressure to decrease the need for drugs and reduce the risk of heart attacks or strokes. Studies also indicate that Swedish massage therapy might be beneficial 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 caused by stress or anxiety, and can be treated using gentle squeezing, mezzanine strokes, or rhythmic stretching movements.