Swedish Massage
Originating in Sweden in the 19th century, this popular massage style has become a household name for its ability to help promote overall health, wellness, and relaxation. Swedish massage therapy is gentler than sports or deep tissue massages, and typically involves therapeutic techniques like percussion, kneading, vibration, tapping, and rolling.
What are the Benefits of Swedish Massage?
Swedish massage therapy is a classic massage technique that involves the application of long, flowing strokes, kneading, and gentle manipulations of the muscles. It stands as one of the most popular massage styles people opt for when they’re looking to relax their whole bodies, especially their lower back, shoulders, and neck.
Here are some of the biggest benefits to a Swedish massage:
Anxiety relief
With its long strokes, a Swedish massage session decreases the symptoms of anxiety, such as raised blood pressure, increased heart rate, and rapid breathing.
Eases muscle tension and pain
Massage does wonders to reduce the pain and stress in one’s muscles. Remember to speak directly to your massage therapist about the specific areas of your body needing extra attention, so you can get the maximum benefit from your session.
Increases flexibility and range of motion
Swedish Massage can elongate the muscles, open and lubricate joints, and decrease swelling, all of which can ease movement and increase flexibility.
It can help you sleep better
Since Swedish Massage helps mitigate symptoms of anxiety, it can also help you get better sleep. One study of 57 breast cancer patients found that Swedish massage helped them improve their quality of sleep—and when you get better sleep, you’ll experience less anxiety and stress.
A study published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that volunteers who received a 45 minute Swedish massage experienced a significant drop in levels of the stress hormone cortisol, and an increase in white blood cells which are present in the immune system to help fight colds and flu. Source.
Swedish Massage FAQs
If your primary goal is relaxation and stress relief, Swedish massage is the best choice. The long, flowing strokes and gentle techniques promote a sense of calm and well-being. Swedish massage is often considered more approachable and less intense than some therapeutic techniques. The main goal of therapeutic massage is to address specific health concerns or conditions. It may focus on relieving chronic pain, rehabilitating injuries, or addressing muscular imbalances. Therapeutic massage is often more targeted and may involve deeper pressure than Swedish massage.