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What Are the Essential Technical Components of Swedish Massage?

The Swedish massage, or classic massage, is by far the most popular massage practiced. This massage uses various techniques to aid in blood flow, pain reduction, increased range of motion and improved lymphatic circulation. An experienced therapist shifts from one technique to another easily with fluid transitions, making it unnoticeable. However, there are essential technical components that make up a Swedish massage.

  1. Effleurage

    • Effleurage is generally the most well-known component in a Swedish massage. It is a light stroke that helps soothe and relax the individual, as well as warm up the muscles. Effleurage consists of using oil to make long, fluid strokes with the hands along the body. It is considered good practice to always maintain contact with the client while performing effleurage strokes.

    Petrissage

    • Petrissage is used to get deeper into the muscles by applying more pressure. A common example of this is kneading the trapezius muscle of the shoulder between the thumb and fingers. Muscles are also compressed, picked up and squeezed to increase blood and lymphatic flow.

    Tapotement

    • Tapotement is tapping or percussive strikes on the muscles. These can be as light as tapping the fingertips along a muscle, or as heavy as chopping a muscle with the sides of the hands. Cupped hands are also used in tapotement for muscle relaxation and on the upper back to relieve lung congestion.

    Friction

    • Friction is the deepest stroke of the Swedish massage techniques. These strokes are generally smaller, circular movements with greater pressure applied, in an attempt to heal the underlying tissue with increased blood flow.

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