Cosmopolitan Spa Therapies
Swedish Massage:
The most popular of all traditional European massages, the Swedish massage is probably the most widely practised massage in Western countries. It was introduced be Per Henrik Ling (1776-1839) in the 1700s, who merged Western and Eastern healing techniques and exercises to from what has been long though of as the first organised and systematic method of modern therapeutic massage in the Western world. Generally a Swedish massage uses five main strokes, all of which are done on the more superficial layers of the muscles and generally in the direction of the blood flow toward the heart. Effleurage or ‘touching lightly’ comprises long gliding strokes from the neck to the base of the spine, or from the shoulder to the fingertips. Done with the entire hand or the thumb pads, these strokes help the therapist examine the texture and quality of your muscle tissues and also relax them. Petrissage or ‘kneading’ follows effleurage, and involves the therapist kneading, rolling or squeezing the muscles to encourage deeper circulation in the veins and lymph vessels. This stroke is believed to remove toxins from the muscles and bring nutrients to cells to aid growth and repair. The next stroke, friction or ‘rubbing’, is applied near joints and other bony areas and is used to break down adhesions – knots of muscle fibres formed after any muscular trauma or strain. It consists of deep circular or transverse movements made with the thumb pads or fingertips. In the fourth stroke, tapotement or ‘tapping’, the therapist taps the muscles to release tension and cramping. The stroke is applied with the edge of the hand, tips of the fingers or with a closed fist. If done correctly, this stroke first invigorates the muscles, then relaxes them. An important use of this stroke is to stimulate circulation in an area of atrophy.
Vibration or ‘shaking’ is done at the end of the massage and is not considered a stroke by some. Basically it entails the therapist pressing his hands on your back or limbs and rapidly shaking them for a few seconds. This stroke is particularly helpful for relieving lower-back pain. Oil, lotion or baby powder is used as a lubricant to facilitate the massage strokes. A typical Swedish massage lasts 30 minutes to an hour, although the massage is usually shorter for children, the elderly and the ill.
