Houston Medical Spa

The Benefits and Characteristics of Swedish Massage

Swedish massage was developed in the 19th century by Swedish doctor and physiologist Per Henrik Ling. Generally considered a more gentle type of massage, Swedish massage concentrates on relaxing muscles by improving blood flow, blood oxygen content, and releasing trapped toxins.

Swedish massage techniques tend to be lighter and involve less pressure than deep tissue or Shiatsu massages, making it a good choice for people more sensitive to pain. It uses a sequence of long, gliding, strokes (effleurage), kneading motions (petrissage), circular friction, rapid tapping/hacking (percussion), and vibration in order to create a feeling of relaxation.

In addition to relaxing tense muscles, Swedish massage also aids in decreasing the recovery time for sore muscles by ridding them of the lactic and uric acids which cause the painful, sore sensation after intense exercise. It also helps to increase the blood circulation within the body, and stretches out ligaments and tendons to improve flexibility and pliability. Because Swedish massage invigorates and soothes the skin and nerves simultaneously, it has also proven effective in reducing stress .

Looking for a relaxing Swedish massage session? Come to Dermagenix, our Houston medical spa and set up a massage appointment today. Call us at 713-662-3376.