The Benefits of Swedish Massage Therapy
Swedish massage is now the most frequent type of therapeutic massage in the usa. It entails the application of soft hands, elbows or forearms to manipulate the deeper layers of muscles to enhance 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 uncertain, though it is supposed to have been introduced by the early Scandinavians from the tenth century. It is usually used along with other techniques to aid the client in achieving 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 can be held and controlled by the therapist. This is achieved by sliding hands along the length of the body. Massage therapy is a form of therapeutic touch therapy that utilizes soft 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 therapy, such as effleurage, petrissage, tapotement and friction. But it incorporates a gentle circular motion which enables therapists to thoroughly penetrate the muscles and reduce 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 significant benefit 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 enhances the condition of alertness, improves lymphatic flow, 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 put from the earlobe to the spine, and from the back to the neck and shoulders. The therapist uses long, flowing strokes that slowly 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 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 far more gentle than the standard 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 wellness and health 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 related to pain, stiffness and immobility. To find out more about this amazing massage type, contact your regional massage therapist today. Your therapist will have the ability to provide you with a complete Swedish massage treatment session designed just for you.
Throughout the Swedish massage therapy session, your therapist will focus their attention not only on the body areas being treated, but also on the tissues and muscles surrounding these areas. So as to enhance the therapeutic advantages of this massage fashion, it is important for your therapist to employ appropriate massage therapy methods. These massage techniques ought to stimulate the lymphatic system, improve blood flow, and encourage natural lymphatic drainage. Swedish massage therapy is known to improve the flow of lymph fluid throughout the body and increases the lymphatic drainage process, which helps to remove waste and toxins from the body.
Several scientific studies are done on the positive health effects of the sort of Swedish massage therapy 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 reduce the amount of sodium in their blood. This could potentially allow individuals with high blood pressure to decrease the need for drugs and decrease 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 like 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 may be treated using gentle squeezing, mezzanine strokes, or rhythmic stretching movements.