Contrary to what its name suggests, Swedish massage was not created in Sweden nor was its creator a Swede. However, it is often incorrectly credited to Peter Ling, the founder of the Royal Central Gymnastic Institute of 1813. In certain European countries, it is referred to simply as, ‘classic massage’, while in America, its original title has remained unchanged, for example, in the case of salons offering Swedish Massage Berkeley.
Johan Mezger, a Dutch practitioner was responsible for giving the five strokes which characterize this kind of massage, their French names. He also identified it is having medicinal purposes, particularly for emotional and physical tension and stress relief.
The introductory stroke is called, ‘effleurage’, and means ‘sliding’, or ‘gliding’. It is performed by applying light strokes to the skin with the palms, thumbs and soft parts of the fingertips. Practitioners perform ‘effleurage, ‘ in circular motions, promoting lymphatic and blood stimulation, thus warming up the muscles in preparation for the treatment.
‘Petrissage’, is a stroke that looks very much like the act of kneading bread. It is performed by using the knuckles to apply gentle pressure to areas of tension, then wringing and rolling the skin in a rhythmical manner, to compress muscles and provide deep stimulation to the underlying muscles.
Taken from the French word, ‘tapoter’, which means to tap or to drum, the next massage stroke called, ‘tapotement’, is administered in short, fast movements performed by using the outer edge of the hand and fingers, cupped into a ‘C’ shape. This stroke provides extensive relief to the shoulders and upper back area, releasing toxins from the blood and increasing oxygen flow to the muscles. Lymphatic ‘knots’, are broken down in the areas in which this stroke is applied.
To provide invigoration and rejuvenation near the end of the therapy session, practitioners perform the friction/rubbing stroke as well as the vibration/shaking stroke. This literally shakes the client’s targeted areas, and in doing so, soothes the nervous system.
The Swedish Massage Berkeley is the perfect ‘beginner’s’ full body treatment as it introduces the client to some of the most basic strokes performed in therapies of this kind. Most practitioners use essential oils to provide ease of movement as they perform the various strokes and drape the body in warm towels, uncovering only the muscle groups they are massaging. Although it is a standardized therapy, practitioners work according to the individual’s preferences and needs to ensure optimum results.
Swedish Massage Berkeley
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