About Swedish Massage
What is Swedish Massage?
Swedish massage is a modality that is well known for it’s relaxing and stress relieving effects. It’s one of the most common types of massage available. The style of massage generally incorporates lots of gentle but firm flowing strokes. Unlike deep tissue massage, this modality primarily affects the superficial layers of muscle and is better suited for relaxation and less severe tension.
Some Benefits of Swedish massage
- Reduced stress
- Increased circulation
- Improved flexibility
- Better mood
- Improved sleep
Who should avoid Swedish massage?
Anyone with one of the following conditions should avoid this type of massage:
- Bleeding disorders or taking blood-thinning medication
- Burns or healing wounds
- Contagious diseases
- Fever
- History of blood clots
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Infections
- Broken bones (fractures)
- Nausea
- High blood pressure
- Torn ligaments, tendons, or muscles
- Recent surgery
- Certain types of cancers
How to get the most out of your massage
Shower before a massage: Showering beforehand is a great way to prime your body for any massage. It also helps to remove any dirt and build-up on your skin.
Avoid alcohol and caffeine: To maintain proper hydration, avoid caffeine and alcohol. Both substances dehydrate the body, effectively negating the effects of the massage.
Take it easy: You just spend probably an hour or more enjoying a relaxing massage. If you can manage it, spend some extra time taking it easy so you can preserve those feelings of relaxation a little longer.
Don’t get up too quickly: You just spent a significant amount of time laying on a massage table and receiving a massage. Getting up too quickly can lead to dizziness which leads to potentially falling.
Maintain adequate hydration before and after the massage: Good hydration is essential. Proper hydration further increases the benefits of the massage, helping your muscles stay relaxed and assisting your body in its recovery process. A properly hydrated muscle is a more pliable muscle than a dehydrated one.