We train our students in several different types of massage therapy to equip them with the tools they need to serve a variety of clients. The different techniques all serve different purposes, but sometimes clients simply prefer one kind of massage technique over another. How familiar are you with different massage techniques? This article discusses Swedish massage and deep tissue massage, and also discusses the effects of massage, as well as misconceptions about massage therapy.
Although there are many different kinds of massage, with various names, massage can be divided into three basic types. Acupressure refers to massages from Asia that focus on pressure points and the movement of energy through the body. Swedish massage focuses on improving circulation of blood and lymph and relaxing superficial muscles. Deep tissue massage focuses on connective tissue, and the goal is to produce changes in movement and posture.
About Swedish Massage
According to Robert Noah Calvert, founder of Massage Magazine, Swedish massage didn’t really originate in Sweden. In Europe, it is generally referred to as classic massage, which was originally organized and described by Dutch practitioner Johan Georg Mezger. Swedish massage consists of a specific set of massage movements: effleurage, or sliding movements; petrissage, or kneading movements; friction, or rubbing; vibration and percussion. It traditionally also includes passive and active joint movements, stretching and bending joints with the assistance of the massage therapist. Swedish massage offshoots include medical massage, manual lymphatic drainage, spa treatments such as aromatherapy, hydrotherapy and body wraps, sports massage, Esalen massage, chair massage, pregnancy massage, massage for infants and children, and geriatric massage.