The Benefits of Swedish Massage Therapy
Swedish massage is now the most common form of therapeutic massage in the usa. It entails the application of soft hands, elbows or forearms to manipulate the deeper layers of muscles to improve physical and mental wellness. Passive or active manipulation of the joints can also feature as part of the massage.
The origin of this particular technique is unclear, although it is supposed to have been introduced by the ancient Scandinavians from the tenth century. It's usually used along with other methods to assist the client in attaining optimal relaxation. In addition to assisting in comfort, Swedish massage has been proven to relieve pain and decrease blood pressure.
Swedish massage therapy 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 which utilizes soft strokes of kneading tissue along 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 movement that enables therapists to thoroughly penetrate the muscles and reduce the strain on the joints and ligaments. This prevents the muscles from tensing up. A good therapist can reduce muscle stiffness by applying constant pressure.
A major benefit of Swedish massage is its impact in reducing stress and tension, especially in the back, neck and shoulders. Swedish massage relieves pain, improves blood circulation and reduces stress hormones. It improves the condition of alertness, improves blood circulation, increases oxygen and carbon dioxide metabolism, and stimulates the nervous system. Other physical benefits include: reduced blood pressure, better immunity, increased mental health and less fatigue, relief from insomnia, and reduce skin inflammation.
Effleurage is one of the key strokes used in Swedish massage. In Swedish massage, effleurage is put from the earlobe to the backbone, and from the back to the shoulders and neck. The therapist uses long, flowing strokes which slowly increase pressure to the muscle, allowing the muscle to relax.
In comparison with the traditional techniques, 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 a lot 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 many of the wellness and health benefits of this 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 learn more about this amazing massage type, contact your local massage therapist today. Your therapist will have the ability to provide you with a complete Swedish massage treatment session designed just for you.
Through the Swedish massage therapy session, your therapist will concentrate his or her attention not only on the body areas being treated, but also on the muscles and tissues surrounding these areas. In order to enhance the therapeutic advantages of this massage fashion, it is essential for your therapist to apply appropriate massage therapy methods. These massage techniques should stimulate the lymphatic system, increase blood flow, and encourage natural lymphatic drainage. Swedish massage therapy is proven to improve the flow of lymph fluid throughout the body and increases the lymphatic drainage procedure, which helps to remove toxins and waste from the body.
A number of scientific studies have been conducted on the positive health effects of this type of Swedish massage therapy on individuals suffering from hypertension, diabetes, stroke, and even cancer. High blood pressure is a condition that results from excessive sodium in the blood. Individuals who suffer from high blood pressure may benefit from therapeutic techniques as a way to decrease the amount of sodium in their blood. This could potentially allow individuals with high blood pressure to decrease the need for medications 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 accomplished 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.