Techniques of Swedish Massage

Swedish massage is the most popular kind of massage offered to clients. The goal of Swedish massage is to promote relaxation and stress relief, while increasing oxygen flow, improving blood circulation and flexibility and relieving sore muscles. Gentle, but firm pressure is applied using a variety of techniques: effleurage, friction, vibration, traction, petrissage and tapotement.

Effleurage

• Effleurage is the most recognizable Swedish massage technique. Effleurage is more commonly recognized as the gliding or sweeping technique used at the beginning and end of a massage treatment. In effleurage, long sweeping or gliding strokes are made over each area of the body.

Friction

• A massage therapist creates friction in one of two ways: by rubbing her hands vigorously across the client's skin or by rubbing her own hands together before laying them on the client's skin. Both techniques cause friction, which creates heat. The heat warms up the intended area and helps relax a client's muscles.

Vibration

• Vibration refers to gentling rocking or rapidly shaking one specific area of the body. Rocking or shaking is performed by moving either the heel of the hand, the side of the hand or the fingertips backward and forward across the skin. Vibration is used to release tension from the muscle being focused on. It is also used to correct any postural holding patterns. Vibration may also be used to gently awaken a client who has fallen asleep.

Traction

• Traction is the pulling of the arms, legs and head of a client. This pulling act stretches the client's muscles. Traction is always performed at the end of a massage because the muscles need to be relaxed. If the muscles are not relaxed, traction will cause pain.

Petrissage

• Petrissage is more commonly known as kneading. Petrissage is a mixture of rolling, wringing and lifting strokes used to work out any tight knots or bound muscle. This technique is also used to increase circulation, stimulate nerve endings and repair or regenerate cells.

Tapotement

• Tapotement is the chopping of an area with the sides of the hands. It is also performed by cupping the hands or making fists and striking a specific area rhythmically. Tapotement is mainly used to energize the body while loosening the area being focused on. Tapotement also stimulates circulation.