Swedish Massage

Swedish massage is a popular form of massage mostly used in table massage.

A Sweden-born gym instructor named Pehr Henrik Ling (1776-1839) is the father of this type of massage. He is also the father of physical therapy. He taught his techniques at the Royal Central Institute of Gymnastics in Stockholm, Sweden from 1813-1839. He taught his students movements and stretches to relax people, improve circulation and improve range of motion.

This popular type of massage has 5 categories of strokes:

Effleurage

Petrissage

Friction

Vibration

Tapotement

Within each category, there are variations of the strokes. Some of the strokes are used in chair massage but all are used in table massage.

This is the basic type of bodywork usually learned in American massage therapy schools. Some schools, depending on the state they are located in, give classes on other types of bodywork as well during the beginning certification classes. Others offer additional types of bodywork only in advanced and continuing education classes.

Mastering the massage strokes takes a lot of time and practice. It is best to learn them through watching an experienced massage therapist, such as your massage school instructor. I am a visual learner and my instructor was fabulous in showing me some of the strokes over and over again, ever so patiently! Practice as often as you can until they are perfect.

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