burger and fries, nuts and bolts, standard operating procedure type massage. Why is it called "Swedish", you ask? Basically it's a compilation of techniques for massaging the body from head to toe that was put together in one neat package by a Swede named Per Henrik Ling. This style of massage is traditionally about an hour long, uses lotion/oil for smooth and flowing techniques over the muscles, and hits every major body part (excluding breasts, genitals, and anus, plus any part of the body that is contraindicated or simply avoided at the request of the recipient of the massage).
It includes massage of the scalp and facial muscles (not usually with oil or lotion), the neck and shoulders, arms and hands, legs (front and back) and feet, hips and thighs, and the entire back. This gives the therapist a chance to really relax the client and get a feel for any areas of the
body that may have pain, stress, tension or other abnormality, while giving the client a complete relaxing and therapeutic session with little pain or discomfort. It soothes muscles, calms the mind, moves lymph and improves circulation, reduces stress and tension, and can be a very rewarding part of a regular healthy regimen or lifestyle. The typical Swedish treatment rarely addresses specific areas of serious concern enough to give the client good or long-lasting results. Frequently, a therapist will do a "hybrid" style of massage that includes some time spent doing other modalities that will address a problem but also give the client the full-body experience. For example, if a client has some neck pain but really wants a full-body massage, perhaps the therapist will perform 15-30 minutes of deep tissue or triggerpoint release on the neck and shoulders and the remainder of the time doing a relaxing Swedish routine.
Since oils and lotions are typically used, and
the best therapy is acheived when the techniques are used directly on the skin, this type (and many others) of massage is not done through clothing but directly on the body. This means that the client undresses privately, and makes themselves comfortable on the table and drapes themselves under sheets, towels or blankets before the therapist enters the room. The therapist undrapes only the body part that is to be massaged at that time, and then covers again when finished. The client's privacy is never jeopardized.After the treatment, the therapist leaves the room so the client can dress, and most people find themselves relaxed and tension free for up to several days! It's important to drink lots of water after a treatment as a lot of physiological responses to massage will require H2O and good circulation.
The Swedish Massage is the perfect "First Timers" massage, and can be enjoyed often. I do suggest that people to try this first, but also encourage them to try other modalities to make sure their needs are being met the best way available to them.
Signing off,
No comments:
Post a Comment