|
|
Swedish Massage currently represents the western "standard" for massage. Also commonly known as "therapeutic massage", it represents a general massage system that focuses on increasing circulation and promoting relaxation.
When you picture massage, you're probably thinking of Swedish massage or a derivative. Spas, salons, and health and fitness clubs typically offer this form of massage. Consumers can also find Swedish massage offered in many chiropractic offices.
Most often, massage therapists receive initial training in Swedish massage techniques as part of their certification and licensing process. To maintain professional certification, therapists must take continuing education courses, and may elect to progress to more advanced forms of Swedish Massage or learn additional techniques.
Basic Swedish Massagerepresents the most common form of massage in the United States. Therapists frequently develop their own unique styles of massage based on the fundamental moves from the Swedish "school" of massage.
The Swedish approach classifies 5 types of strokes:
o Effleurage - gliding
o Petrissage - kneading
o Friction - rubbing
o Tapotement - pounding
o Vibration - shaking
Each type of stroke offers different benefits.
Therapists focus most often on client relaxation using this technique, relying mostly on gliding and kneading strokes, as well as oils and lotions. Clients typically receive a full-body massage that lasts 60 to 90 minutes.
Deep Tissue/Muscle Massage consists of slower strokes and more pressure. The therapist targets deeper muscle groups after first warming the soft tissues.
Clients frequently find deep-tissue massage less comfortable, and not necessarily more effective, unless used properly. Depending on the goals of the massage session, simply using more pressure will not improve the results.
Therapists also use deep-tissue massage to help break up scar tissue. Most of the strokes, however, remain fundamentally the same as with more superficial Swedish massage, used for relaxation.
Many other western massage techniques rely heavy on deep-tissue work: These include:
o Connective Tissue Massage;
o Neuromuscular Techniques; and,
o Trigger Point Therapy.
Therapists generally use no oil or lotion for these techniques.
|
|
|
|
|