The Art of Swedish Massage

The classic Swedish massage is an effective massage that is applied to improve blood flow and increase circulation throughout the body. In order to accomplish this, five different distinctive kinds of strokes are used. These five strokes, which were actually organized and given their French names by a Dutch practitioner named Johann Georg Mezger (1838 – 1909), are:

• Effleurage: This soothing, stroking massage is used early in Swedish massage to warm the muscles up in preparation for deep tissue work as well as for transitioning between other strokes – it is also useful for calming the nerves. Effleurage is usually performed with either the palm or the pads on the tips of the fingers. Its strokes can be light to firm, with or without dragging motions. Effleurage is sometimes used independently of other strokes on the abdomen of pregnant women in order to relax both the mother and unborn child.

• Petrissage: This deep tissue massage uses kneading, wringing, skin rolling, and squeezing to work the muscles. The slow and rhythmic work of petrissage often makes up a significant portion of the classic Swedish massage. The palms, fingers, and thumbs are molded to the pat of the body being massaged and worked. In addition, the knuckles are often used to knead large areas, usually in a circular motion moving up the body. It is best suited to releasing muscle tension and improving lymphatic draining.

• Friction: The deepest move in Swedish massage, this stroke is applied when the practitioner used his or her full body weight to press the flat of the hand, including the pads of the thumb and fingers, against the body. The pressure is then released slowly and gently. These strokes should be applied with care, and in a continuous sliding or circular motion. The use of massage oil, which is a part of Swedish massage, is especially important with this stroke.

• Tapotement: This percussive move (tapoter means to tap or drum), in Swedish massage, is generally applied with the edge or the heel of the palm. Its application helps to relieve cramped muscles and to energize the recipient of the massage. Some recipients find this stroke to be a little much, and it should never be applied near bony areas of the body.

• Vibration: Swedish massage makes us of vibration, or oscillation, to relax the body. This involves gently shaking or trembling the flesh. This stroke works to improve circulation and remove tension from small muscle groups, such as those on the face or near the spine.

These basic strokes are combined into a single 30 – 60 minute long session that uses an oil or lotion to facilitate the massage strokes. It is a full body massage, only leaving out any portion of the body specified by the recipient. Depending on the recipient’s preference, each treatment session can involve some or all of the strokes defined here.

The Swedish massage became popular in the United States in the early 20th century when it was offered to Americans primarily by Swedish immigrants. In Sweden, and much of Europe, this is not called the Swedish massage, but is instead referred to as a “Classic Massage.”