One of the common misconceptions of the massage industry by the
public is what constitutes a massage. One of the comments heard by
massage therapists from clients when a Swedish massage is through is,
"You didn't work on my knots". To which the reply is, you asked for a
relaxing Swedish Massage. In order to alleviate this common problem good
communication is needed both on the part of the client and the on the
part of the receptionist and the massage therapist.
At the intake process, I always tell the client what will take place during the massage. And what modalities I use during their massage. When the client is booking the massage it may be necessary to explain the difference between the modalities of massage. And for the client to decide what type of massage is best for them at the time.
The client must take into consideration what their health and mental status is. If they're stressed to the max, they might want to consider a nice relaxing massage. If they have a lot of knots (adhesions), tightness in their muscles or a limited range of motion, they might wish to receive a therapeutic massage. Or they may wish a combination of the two. That being said, the client must consider what's best for them.
The first thing is to consider is what do you want the massage to accomplish? Are you looking for a nice relaxing massage or do you need the massage therapist to focus on certain sore, strained, tight or injured muscles? Why don't we take a look at the first choice of a nice relaxing massage.
The Moves of Swedish Massage
A Swedish massage consists of five types of strokes. The first is effleurage which are nice long flowing strokes with light pressure which warms up the muscles. This move is probably the most common when a massage is thought about.
The next is petrissage. Petrissage is a kind of a scooping motion that effects the surface muscles and the fascia. Fascia is the connective tissue that covers the entire body. Sometimes it becomes bound or stuck and needs to be loosened.
Another move is vibration. Vibration is the rhythmic shaking of the body to it's own rhythm. It feels very good and can actually put one to sleep.
An additional move is called friction. Friction is done to the muscle fibers in either a circular pattern or perpendicular to the way the muscle fiber runs.
The final move is called tapotement and can be one of several moves such as cupping, chopping, quacking or hacking and is probably the second most thought of move when one thinks about massage. It can be quite noisy so it's not done for very long and usually at the end of the session as this helps to awaken the sleeping client.
All of these moves are part of the basic Swedish massage and can be used by the massage therapist in any order at any time.
Flow
The flow of a Swedish massage is at a nice relaxing pace. No rushing or quick movements in this type of massage, except for the tapotement component. The recipients of a good Swedish massage usually fall fast asleep. And snoring is a compliment to the therapist.
Benefits
The benefits of a Swedish massage are; hyperemia or a reddening of the skin or a blushing of the skin, increased blood flow which helps the body' s metabolism, the release of endorphins the amino acids that work as the body' s natural pain killer, and finally enhance immunity by stimulating lymph flow which is part of the body' s natural defense system.
Music
A Swedish massage session usually has a musical component to it as well. Nice relaxing music is played during the massage. The music varies according to the place of massage. For instance a massage franchise will play all of the same music approved by corporate. In a private or group practice, the therapist picks the music or in some cases lets the client pick their music or bring in their own CD's to play.
Lighting
Lighting is an important factor in a relaxing massage. After all, it's hard to relax when you're under spotlights or those God awful fluorescent lights. Side lighting or lamps are a good source of lighting as long as they have a dimmer control on them. Some therapists may even use candles in their practice, although fire laws may prevent the use of candles in an office building.
Enhancements
There are other things the therapist may add or add for an additional charge, such as aroma therapy, Reiki, scrubs or wraps, hot stones and massage cupping. There you have it, all the components of a nice relaxing Swedish massage. In the next article, I'll cover the topic of a therapeutic massage which uses deep tissue moves as the primary means to accomplish the massage.
At the intake process, I always tell the client what will take place during the massage. And what modalities I use during their massage. When the client is booking the massage it may be necessary to explain the difference between the modalities of massage. And for the client to decide what type of massage is best for them at the time.
The client must take into consideration what their health and mental status is. If they're stressed to the max, they might want to consider a nice relaxing massage. If they have a lot of knots (adhesions), tightness in their muscles or a limited range of motion, they might wish to receive a therapeutic massage. Or they may wish a combination of the two. That being said, the client must consider what's best for them.
The first thing is to consider is what do you want the massage to accomplish? Are you looking for a nice relaxing massage or do you need the massage therapist to focus on certain sore, strained, tight or injured muscles? Why don't we take a look at the first choice of a nice relaxing massage.
The Moves of Swedish Massage
A Swedish massage consists of five types of strokes. The first is effleurage which are nice long flowing strokes with light pressure which warms up the muscles. This move is probably the most common when a massage is thought about.
The next is petrissage. Petrissage is a kind of a scooping motion that effects the surface muscles and the fascia. Fascia is the connective tissue that covers the entire body. Sometimes it becomes bound or stuck and needs to be loosened.
Another move is vibration. Vibration is the rhythmic shaking of the body to it's own rhythm. It feels very good and can actually put one to sleep.
An additional move is called friction. Friction is done to the muscle fibers in either a circular pattern or perpendicular to the way the muscle fiber runs.
The final move is called tapotement and can be one of several moves such as cupping, chopping, quacking or hacking and is probably the second most thought of move when one thinks about massage. It can be quite noisy so it's not done for very long and usually at the end of the session as this helps to awaken the sleeping client.
All of these moves are part of the basic Swedish massage and can be used by the massage therapist in any order at any time.
Flow
The flow of a Swedish massage is at a nice relaxing pace. No rushing or quick movements in this type of massage, except for the tapotement component. The recipients of a good Swedish massage usually fall fast asleep. And snoring is a compliment to the therapist.
Benefits
The benefits of a Swedish massage are; hyperemia or a reddening of the skin or a blushing of the skin, increased blood flow which helps the body' s metabolism, the release of endorphins the amino acids that work as the body' s natural pain killer, and finally enhance immunity by stimulating lymph flow which is part of the body' s natural defense system.
Music
A Swedish massage session usually has a musical component to it as well. Nice relaxing music is played during the massage. The music varies according to the place of massage. For instance a massage franchise will play all of the same music approved by corporate. In a private or group practice, the therapist picks the music or in some cases lets the client pick their music or bring in their own CD's to play.
Lighting
Lighting is an important factor in a relaxing massage. After all, it's hard to relax when you're under spotlights or those God awful fluorescent lights. Side lighting or lamps are a good source of lighting as long as they have a dimmer control on them. Some therapists may even use candles in their practice, although fire laws may prevent the use of candles in an office building.
Enhancements
There are other things the therapist may add or add for an additional charge, such as aroma therapy, Reiki, scrubs or wraps, hot stones and massage cupping. There you have it, all the components of a nice relaxing Swedish massage. In the next article, I'll cover the topic of a therapeutic massage which uses deep tissue moves as the primary means to accomplish the massage.
Keith Deveau is a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) and a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) in Massachusetts. He currently practices in Hanover, MA. For more details go to: South Shore Wellness Massage [http://www.southshorewellnessmassage.com]
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