Swedish Massage

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

Today when you get a table massage, it will usually be a Swedish 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. Other schools offer additional types of bodywork only in advanced classes and in continuing education classes.

Here in Texas, we learned Swedish only during the basic massage therapy study program. Later, after I graduated, I took CEU classes to learn about other types of massage such as trigger point, hot stone massage, and chair massage.

Mastering the massage strokes takes a lot of time and practice. It is best to learn them through watching your massage 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 on family members or on a soft pillow until they are perfect.

More On Swedish Strokes In Massage

Effleurage

Petrissage

Friction

Vibration

Tapotement

Lubricants are needed to perform this type of massage.

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.

Learn about some of the massage therapy back strokes here.

Here are some tips for performing this type of massage.

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