| Ever since the Swedish doctor Per Henrik Ling | | | | release. Muscles also contract chronically because of |
| invented the concept of Swedish massage sometime | | | | inappropriate nervous responses. With regular Swedish |
| in the 1700s, the world has never looked at relaxation | | | | massage, both the musculoskeletal system and the |
| the same way again. It is not as if various forms of | | | | nervous system get a regular overhaul. This is why |
| massage did not exist up to that point - they did. | | | | most stress management programs include Swedish |
| However, nothing could come close to these | | | | massage in their repertoire. |
| techniques, which were specifically formulated to | | | | A trained Swedish masseur employs various |
| detoxify body tissues and boost the overall oxygen | | | | techniques while working on a client. For instance, he or |
| content in the blood. All the while the masseur's subject | | | | she will use flowing, stroking motions in which the |
| has a real good time around the dinner table. | | | | palms, fingertips and - where deeper penetration is |
| What does Swedish Massage involve? | | | | required - thumbs come into play. This technique is |
| Swedish massage addresses the deeper muscles, | | | | called effleurage. Kneading motions known as |
| manipulating them against the underlying bones. The | | | | petrissage, and circular motions to apply friction to |
| masseur's strokes tend to follow the direction of the | | | | affected parts then complement this. Body tissues are |
| blood as it returns to the heart, thereby enhancing the | | | | further stimulated with percussion, or soft drumming |
| flow. The heart does not have to work harder; in fact, | | | | with the fingertips or sides of the hand. Along the way, |
| Swedish massage assists it in its natural functions. The | | | | various parts of the body are bent and stretched to |
| stimulated tissues absorb extra oxygen, enriching the | | | | make tendons and connective tissue more supple and |
| blood. It is a revolutionary concept that helps patients | | | | conducive to blood flow. |
| to recover from debilitating muscular ailments in record | | | | The whole process is incredibly relaxing and extremely |
| time. | | | | therapeutic, but amateurs should not attempt it. A |
| The body tends to build up deposits of extra waste | | | | trained Swedish masseur knows just how far to go, |
| products during the metabolic cycle. While it is also | | | | and such knowledge cannot be replaced by plain |
| equipped with a pretty efficient waste disposal system, | | | | enthusiasm. It is advisable to contact a qualified and |
| the stresses of a modern lifestyle tend to limit its | | | | experienced Swedish masseur only through a |
| proper functioning. Muscles tend to bunch up, trapping | | | | professional referral. |
| these wastes in a manner that prevents their proper | | | | |