Techniques for Swedish massage were adaptedby the Swedish fencing master and physiologist Per Henrik Ling (1777-1839). Ling studied massage in China and gained knowledge of the techniques, honed them and ultimately they were introduced into the massage arena by way of the Swedish Central Institute of Gymnastics. Swedish massage is the foundation for the majority of practices be it alone or as a main part of Sports massage, physiotherapy, osteotherapy, stress treatment and relaxation treatment.
Swedish massage is extended through Sports massage because the latter is more about soft tissue manipulation. It helps those who may just have a muscular ache or pain to professional sports people who require to stay at the pinnacle of their performance, by aiding them to continue with sporting activity and lessen incidence of injury. Connective fibres that have not hardened to form bone and cartilage are named 'soft tissue'. Examples are, skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia. Physical shock or imbalances in soft tissue can be rectified using Sports Massage. Such physical shocks can take place at any time,for example, through repetitive and strenuous activities. A person can enter into a state of calm by having a calming massage. Notwithstanding, the very same client can in addition have a focused treatment for any soft tissue discomfort or inequality they may have incurred.
Various techniques are utilized whilst doing Swedish massage and they comprise:
Effleurage is a method making use of the forearm or whole hand used by the therapist to calm and measure the client. Movements are applied to the skin at a shallow level.
Petrissage uses squeezing and kneading of the muscles to allow for deeper massage motions. Therefore, petrissage is not a targeted technique.
Frictions are strokes that can be shallow or deep, using part of the hand, elbow or fingertips. Targeted areas can be warmed up using this method.
Tapotement - This is a variety of percussion strokes that aim to invigorate the area of the body for treatment, such as hacking or cupping, utilizing the whole or side of the hand.
Vibrations are performed to the back of the neck to loosen and invigorate soft tissues.
In addition to Swedish massage methods, Sports massage adds methods that can target specific areas.
Examples of applications in Sports massage are:
Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT) - This method comprises applying quasi-static pressure to the skin with the goal of energizing targeted parts of skeletal muscle, often myofascial trigger points.
MET (Muscular Energy Technique) is a method where the client is placed in a controlled position and their muscles are used vigorously by the therapist in a particular direction, against a positive counter-force.
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) - This a mixture of isometric contractions and passive stretching.
Rehabilitation and training schedules frequently integrate aspects of Swedish and Sports massage.
Both Swedish and Sports massage have good qualities which are:
Adhesions or tensions which could develop into problem areas can be identified and released, and so rebalancing the body.
Even migraines can be controlled with massage. They become shorter, less intense and less frequent. This is achieved by treating the underlying effect by releasing areas if tense tissue.
The therapies used in massage work together with the body's healing processes to decrease injury recovery time.
Eradicating toxins from the body by stimulating the flow of blood and flow of lymph fluid.
Scar tissue is lessened by massage because it helps to realign fibres.
Muscle flexibility is increased therefore injury can be prevented and performance improved.
Maintenance of the muscle tone and durability.
Adverse effects on the body can come from general wear and tear. This can stimulate postural problems, which can be painful and mobility limiting. Massage can tackle these problems.
Swedish massage is extended through Sports massage because the latter is more about soft tissue manipulation. It helps those who may just have a muscular ache or pain to professional sports people who require to stay at the pinnacle of their performance, by aiding them to continue with sporting activity and lessen incidence of injury. Connective fibres that have not hardened to form bone and cartilage are named 'soft tissue'. Examples are, skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia. Physical shock or imbalances in soft tissue can be rectified using Sports Massage. Such physical shocks can take place at any time,for example, through repetitive and strenuous activities. A person can enter into a state of calm by having a calming massage. Notwithstanding, the very same client can in addition have a focused treatment for any soft tissue discomfort or inequality they may have incurred.
Various techniques are utilized whilst doing Swedish massage and they comprise:
Effleurage is a method making use of the forearm or whole hand used by the therapist to calm and measure the client. Movements are applied to the skin at a shallow level.
Petrissage uses squeezing and kneading of the muscles to allow for deeper massage motions. Therefore, petrissage is not a targeted technique.
Frictions are strokes that can be shallow or deep, using part of the hand, elbow or fingertips. Targeted areas can be warmed up using this method.
Tapotement - This is a variety of percussion strokes that aim to invigorate the area of the body for treatment, such as hacking or cupping, utilizing the whole or side of the hand.
Vibrations are performed to the back of the neck to loosen and invigorate soft tissues.
In addition to Swedish massage methods, Sports massage adds methods that can target specific areas.
Examples of applications in Sports massage are:
Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT) - This method comprises applying quasi-static pressure to the skin with the goal of energizing targeted parts of skeletal muscle, often myofascial trigger points.
MET (Muscular Energy Technique) is a method where the client is placed in a controlled position and their muscles are used vigorously by the therapist in a particular direction, against a positive counter-force.
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) - This a mixture of isometric contractions and passive stretching.
Rehabilitation and training schedules frequently integrate aspects of Swedish and Sports massage.
Both Swedish and Sports massage have good qualities which are:
Adhesions or tensions which could develop into problem areas can be identified and released, and so rebalancing the body.
Even migraines can be controlled with massage. They become shorter, less intense and less frequent. This is achieved by treating the underlying effect by releasing areas if tense tissue.
The therapies used in massage work together with the body's healing processes to decrease injury recovery time.
Eradicating toxins from the body by stimulating the flow of blood and flow of lymph fluid.
Scar tissue is lessened by massage because it helps to realign fibres.
Muscle flexibility is increased therefore injury can be prevented and performance improved.
Maintenance of the muscle tone and durability.
Adverse effects on the body can come from general wear and tear. This can stimulate postural problems, which can be painful and mobility limiting. Massage can tackle these problems.
About the Author:
Massage Therapy St Ives. For more information about massage and how you can benefit from treatment, visit the St Ives Massage website.