One of the best ways to pamper yourself after a long week at work or a stressful month at home is to book a massage session. Unlike what most people think, massages are not a luxurious treatment anymore. Although there are treatments which require you to pay more than the usual rate because of the luxurious scents, materials or advanced techniques used, a traditional massage is still very affordable. It has numerous benefits that include easing away the tension and stress in your body, as well as giving you relief from pain. In the next sections, we will delve a bit deeper into one of the most common techniques used by therapists: Swedish massage.
How is Swedish Massage Different from other Massage Types?
There are many types of massage techniques used by therapists today but one of the most common – and the most preferred by clients – is Swedish massage. It is performed with the client lying on a massage table, while the therapist stands above delivering a variety of strokes on targeted areas of the body. A standard Swedish massage session lasts for half an hour to a full hour.
Unlike other massage techniques which target a specific part of the body, Swedish massage helps ease the tension in the major muscle groups of the body. During the session, the muscles are rubbed using long, gliding strokes. The therapist follows the direction of the blood as it returns to the heart.
What are the Benefits of Getting a Swedish Massage?
Next, what are the benefits of getting a Swedish massage? Take a look at the following list:
- It promotes overall relaxation.
According to a study published in the New York Times which was conducted by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, individuals who received a 45-minute Swedish massage had a significant decrease in cortisol, also known as the stress hormone. As the therapist strokes the body of the client, a tense muscle gets worked and relaxes. The result is an overall easing of the tension in the body, no more knotted muscles, and an easing of mental stress.
- It provides relief from pain.
Athletes suffering from sports-related injuries usually get treated to a Swedish massage. Even if your pain is as common as a sprained ankle or back pain from prolonged sitting, Swedish massage can help provide relief.
- It helps increase blood circulation.
As mentioned earlier, a Swedish massage is performed with strokes that replicate the movement of the circulatory system. As the therapist strokes the muscles towards the heart, the metabolic waste from the body gets eliminated and blood circulation is further improved.
- Other benefits of getting a Swedish massage.
Studies also indicate that Swedish massage has been known to break up muscle adhesions, restore the normal state of scar tissues, boost the immune system and even fight the common colds and flu.
With techniques like firm kneading, tapping, bending and stretching, a Swedish massage provides numerous benefits to one’s body. If you have not tried it before, now is the best time for you to check out what this type of a massage technique can do for you.
