The Wonders of Swedish Massage
Human touch can and does make a difference in the lives of many people. This fact has been documented over and over again throughout the world and can attribute to greater circulation as well as pain relief within the human body.
One of the most common or easily understood types of massage is the techniques known as Swedish Massage. By using natural carrier oils such as almond, coconut, etc. to give smooth, gliding strokes over the entire muscle systems of the body. Generally given over a period lasting an hour to an hour and a half, Swedish Massage also includes other manipulations of the muscles tissue by incorporating such techniques as kneading, causing friction, stretching and tapping. These techniques increase the circulation to the muscle tissues which in turn warms the tissue allowing it to relax and thereby decreasing inflammation.
A Swedish physiologist, Henri Peter Ling, at the University of Stockholm in 1812 was the first to introduce the concept of Swedish Massage therapy for greater health and well being by inducing relaxation and easing tension. After introducing these concepts into the United States in 1858 these techniques became the foundation for many other types of western massage such as deep tissue massage and aromatherapy massage.
Research has shown that the human body does it’s greatest and most effective amounts of healing when the body has achieved a deep sense of relaxation. By helping the body to relax, through Swedish Massage techniques not only the muscles relax but so do the organs and different systems of the body such as the lymphatic and endocrine systems. Massage can relieve inflammation and different levels of pain and discomfort from stress, trauma or injuries.
Although many clients will remove their clothing for a Swedish Massage, they are kept modestly covered by draping with sheets. The client will choose the level of nudity that they prefer and some will leave different levels of underclothing on. This of course is all dependant on personal comforts and levels of individual needs.
Those who have been properly trained in Swedish Massages as well as other massage techniques have a deep, serious respect and knowledge for the human body and human dignity. This is an alternative medical art and not just a touchy, feel play time.
