The Benefits of Swedish Massage
Swedish massage is probably the most frequently used type of massage in the usa. It involves the employment of hands, elbows or forearms to knead the deeper superficial layers of skin to boost physical and mental health. Passive or active manipulation of joints can also form part of the massage. Massage therapy is also called"manual therapy" or"control stimulation".
Swedish massage therapy was adapted from the rest of Europe by the Scandinavians and now we see a great deal of variations and innovations in its application. In fact, many of our institutions of higher learning use Swedish methods to instruct and train students. Some of us are aware of its origin but there are a lot of us who are not even aware of its presence. Let us have a look at a number of its originators, introduce ourselves to the theory and details of applying pressure on the skin.
The originators of Swedish massage were the Scandinavians, people of ancient Finland whose ancestors settled in Western Europe a long time ago. Swedish massage really derives from two words, where" Stockholm" and"massa" means" Scandinavian". As a result, the technique can be called"Scandinavian massage". The therapist uses long strokes or friction motions of their hands and fingers on the skin to stimulate the deeper layers. Sometimes, the therapist uses their fingernails in rubbing the muscles.
As mentioned earlier, the originators of Swedish massage therapy employed their entire hands in manipulating the muscles of their clients. This was probably done with considerably more care and devotion than in other forms of therapies. Traditionally, the therapists of Swedish massage therapy are thought to have spent several hours massaging the patient's body before the therapist applied to any kind of therapy or healing to her or him. This was done to maintain the body's muscles relaxed and free of all sorts of muscular contractions so that the body will be better prepared for any upcoming therapy sessions.
When we consider the theory behind the originators of Swedish massage therapy, it is logical that they started with the concept that vibrations should be used rather than light touches to the client's muscles. Before the hands and fingers of a therapist would become smooth and devoid of any contact with the skin, they need to be using slow, purposeful movements of the hands, which should create a feeling of smoothness and ease on the part of the client. These smooth, purposeful motions should be accompanied by brief, purposeful minutes of vibration on the part of the customer which should create a feeling of relaxation on his or her body. Vibration is regarded as a healing factor , although this has never been scientifically proven.
There have been people who suggest that Swedish massage may have some sort of influence on the cause of Alzheimer's disease in both old and young men and women. However, there is no direct evidence to back up these claims. On the other hand, the concept remains to be proven by more studies in various research centers all over the United States and the world. What researchers have found is that the movements of a therapist during a Swedish massage therapy has a calming effect on the mind of its customer, which raises the overall ability of the person to be able to think clearer and respond quicker to situations. The improvement in the blood flow within the body could also contribute to the increase of mental clarity.
Another use of Swedish massage as a therapy is for the relief of muscle pains as well as stiffness caused by rheumatoid arthritis. The warmth from the hands of a therapist in a session helps to relax the tight muscles, which is why most therapists suggest that their customers carry a warm towel during the therapy session. In addition to that, the friction that's created during the strokes of a therapist's hands during a massage session also will help to loosen up the tight muscles, which makes the customer feel more relaxed. Additionally, the stiffness and soreness that are the results of these stiff muscles can be relieved easily with the support of a good Swedish massage.
Though there are more people that are incorporating this sort of technique into their lives, it still mostly remains in the eastern part of Europe where it originated and is most commonly used. With that said, most therapists recommend that if you want to take advantage of this sort of Swedish massage, then you should attempt to find one who is already accredited or experienced in performing this type of techniques. If you are not in a position to find such a therapist in your region, then you could always check out the web for more information regarding the techniques used in this type of therapy.