By The Swedish massage includes a variety of techniques designed to relax muscles by applying pressure against deeper muscles and bones.
The massage therapist rubs your muscles in the same direction as the flow of blood that returns to the heart. This increases oxygen flow within the blood and releases toxins. It also shortens recovery time for strains in muscles, increases circulation without increasing heart load, stretches the ligaments and tendons, and reduces stress, both physical and emotional. So in an essence, there are several benefits of Swedish massage.
The major techniques of Swedish massage include long strokes, kneading, friction, tapping, percussion, vibration, effleurage, and a shaking motion. I will briefly explain what some of them are starting with friction:
* Friction is circular pressure with the palms, thumbs, and/or fingers.
* Effleurage is gliding strokes with the palms, thumbs, and/or fingertips.
* Percussion is brisk hacking or trapping.
* Petrissage is kneading movements with the hands, thumbs, and/or fingers.
* Passive and active movements are the bending and stretching part of the massage.
* And last but not least, Vibration. Vibration is where oscillatory movements that shake or vibrate the body.
