While soothing effects on the nervous system make Swedish massage therapy effective for relaxation and combatting stress related issues, the reduction of tension and stimulation of circulation can have far reaching positive implications for your health.
Whether you spend lots of time in an office chair or keeping fit, you’ll appreciate the way Swedish massage therapy effectively revives tired and aching muscles and restores balance to leave you feeling ‘human’ again.
As well as being an excellent way to relax and ease the tension we accumulate in our daily lives, it can also provide safe and natural relief with a variety of conditions such as arthritis and M.E. And if recovering from injury it can speed up healing time and reduce formation of scar tissue to help restore mobility and leave you feeling that bit more ‘connected’ again.
The potential benefits of massage are wide ranging, but common effects include the following:
- Relaxation & stress relief
- Easing aching muscles
- Relief from conditions like M.E. & arthritis
- Boosting energy if feeling 'run down'
- Reducing anxiety & promoting feelings of wellbeing
- Maintaining healthy, supple muscles & joints
- Assisting healing of sprains & strains
The massage session involves working muscles and associated tissues using hands, fingers, forearms and elbows applied directly to the skin. The massage will be based on Swedish massage techniques, which include smooth, stroking movements, wringing, kneading, holding, squeezing, pressure, percussion/striking and stretches, with oil or lotion normally used to increase their effectiveness. Often some simple relaxation techniques and breath work will also be included.
You will be partially or mostly unclothed throughout the massage, which is performed on a specially designed treatment table, with towels or sheets used to provide comfort and protect your modesty.
A consultation takes place before each massage to ensure it will be safe and effective. Each massage will be tailored to your needs and so no two will be exactly the same. Afterwards you will be asked how you found the session and aftercare advice may be offered.
Swedish massage therapy can incorporate work on most parts of the body, including feet, legs, hips / buttocks, back, abdomen, upper chest, shoulders, hands, arms, neck, face and head. As each massage is tailored to your needs, areas to be worked on will be agreed prior to the massage.
Everyone reacts a little differently to massage and even the same person may react differently on different occasions. Many people report feeling "sleepy", while others may feel "energised". Most people report feeling "relaxed" and "looser" and some claim to feel more "integrated" and "whole again". Tension and aches will generally improve significantly and many clients also report improved sleep after a massage.
You don't need to do anything special to prepare for a massage other than turning up at the alloted time, although it will be preferable to have showered or bathed that day and you should wear underwear. Additionally, if you are unsure how you will react to the massage it may be a good idea to put aisde an hour or two aftewards in case you wish to rest.
If it is your first session you should turn up around five to ten minutes early to allow you to fill out a consultation form; the session itself will likely also last a little longer than the alloted time due to the consultation.
This is really up to you. As each session is entirely tailored to your needs the massage will be adapted accordingly. However, as a general rule:
- One hour:
Most people opt for a one hour appointment. A full body massage is possible, or alternatively it will be possible to concentrate on 'problem' areas. - One and a half hours:
This provides enough time to do a very thorough full body massage - perhaps the ultimate treat! Alternatively a full body massage could be performed, but concentrating particularly on one or two 'problem' areas.
The “massage and...” range of guides offers detailed information for you to download, print and share about massage therapy and how it relates to a range of conditions and injuries as well as some broader topics.
