Massage Therapy Career: What is Swedish Massage Therapy?

Did you ever wonder what those different kinds of massages are all about? Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, reflexology—what are all these methods in massage therapy? What are those differences? You will know the different techniques while you begin your massage therapy career but we will provide you with a basic understanding of the distinctions.

We'll focus on Swedish massage therapy for now. Per Henrik Ling who produced the strokes in 1812 is generally attributed to this. Nevertheless, it is not recognized as Swedish in Sweden, but rather "classic massage." That fact will tell you that most people find Swedish massage to be the traditional or general form of massage therapy in fact. When the average person normally thinks about starting a career in massage therapy, he or she usually thinks of Swedish massage.

How does the Swedish massage therapist perform? Five types of strokes are used: effleurage, petrissage, tapointing, friction and vibration.

Effleurage

This movement is used by the massage therapist to brush the client's muscles gently. Generally, it's not a deep stroke, but its intention is to warm up the muscles and prepare them for the deeper, firmer strokes that follow. Effleurage allows greater circulation of the blood throughout the body.

Petrissage

This is a hard movement that usually involves kneading and rolling the skin to exert pressure on the muscles underlying.

Tapotement

This involves rhythmically cutting muscles with the edge of the hand at the client's muscles, going up and down along the arm.

Friction

The massage therapist exerts strong pressure in tight circular motions to break nerve knots.

The Swedish massage therapist uses special massage oils to ensure the strokes are smooth and to avoid skin irritation, which allow the hands to move effortlessly over the skin while applying the right amount of pressure to the muscles.

Swedish massage therapy has many applications. This provides better distribution of the blood throughout the body, thereby reducing muscle aches and relieving joint pain. Swedish massage also manipulates hormone levels, which causes stress levels to decrease in many people.

Swedish massage provides a routine relief for thousands of people. You could be the relief provider! Now start thinking about a career in massage therapy!