Swedish Massage - General Guidelines

Swedish massage uses two basic massage strokes, each with similar but distinctive benefit. Although there are many variations to each stroke, a few general guidelines apply to all variations and should be considered to achieve the best results. As a general rule, Americans and Europeans tend to work in a centripetal direction (i.e. toward the heart), while the Chinese and South Americans tend to work in a centrifugal direction (i.e. away from the heart). Swedish massage is European in origin, the direction of the strokes is meant to aid the circulatory and lymphatic systems.

Each stroke should be applied with the client in mind. Pressure should begin light. With each successive stroke, the pressure can be increased according to the client's tolerance or to achieve the desired results of the stroke. A therapist must be able to adjust his or her touch to every condition and body part. Sensitivity to the client comes through verbal and tactile communication.

When applying each stroke in massage, an important rule of thumb to follow is: movements faster than the heart rate cause stimulation, and movements slower than the heart rate cause relaxation. In the use of tapotement techniques, although rapid percussion is used, the longer it is applied, the more it relaxes tissue. With this in mind, the therapist can adjust each technique to the appropriate situation and to the client's needs.

These general guidelines can be applied to the five basic strokes of Swedish massage: Effleurage, petrissage, friction, tapotement, and vibration.

Effleurage (Gliding)

Effleurage is the first and most widely used stroke in massage. It is performed with long, gliding strokes toward the heart without trying to move deeper tissues. Also known as gliding, effleurage can be applied with broad surfaces, such as the palms, the pads of the fingertips, or the pads of the thumbs. Each stroke is used to elevate the client (e.g. condition, tissue tension, texture, temperature, pain tolerance, energy). Effleurage is the best applied with relaxed hands that conform and cover as much of the body surface as possible. Pressure should be uniform and the stroke flowing and rhythmic. Effleurage is a great way to begin and end each segment of the body being worked. Types of effleurage strokes include nerve strokes and feathering, both of which can maintain the client's relaxed state.

The main purposes and benefits of effleurage are to relax, stimulate, stretch, and broaden superficial tissue; promote blood and lymph movement; reduce edema; and improve circulation.

Pertrissage (kneading)

Petrissage is a technique that manipulates the fleshy areas of the body. Using the fingers and hands together, separately, or alternating, the stroke is applied with various movements such as grasping, lifting, compressing, rolling, and kneading. Two other types of pertrissage are chucking and rolling. Chucking involves grasping flesh with one hand and moving the hand up and down along the bone while the other holds the limb steady. Rolling involves using is firm and directed toward the center of the body segment being worked. The therapist should keep the shoulders and arms relaxed and held close to the body.

The main purposes and benefits of petrissage are to assist removal of metabolic wastes, break up adhesions, promote fluid movement in deeper tissues, stretch and broken muscle tissue and fascia, revitalize dry skin by promoting blood and lymph circulation, and rehabilitate weak muscles.

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