Swedish Massage and Techniques

A Swedish massage is one of the most popular massages that are regularly offered. This type of massage helps to relieve pain, provide complete relaxation, and increase the overall health of the body. This type of massage was developed n Sweden around the 1700s. The Swedish massage was used to help open up the passage airways and increase oxygen into the body. This causes the body to rejuvenate and become anew.

While applying deep pressure to muscles and rubbing in a circular motion will help to detoxify the body of toxins and increase the flow of oxygen in the blood. It flushes out acidic wastes such as uric and lactic acid.

The Swedish massage uses five different movements which consist of:
-kneading of the muscles
-friction
-vibration
-tapping
-stretching of the body
-long and smooth gliding strokes.

With this type of massage called the draping technique which consists of the person is prepared by being covered with sheet while another part of the body is uncovered, and massaged then when that part of completed it is then covered and then another part will be massaged. The Swedish massage has been known to help reduce pain, improve mobility for those with joint stiffness, and patients who suffer with osteoarthritis.

Sports Massage and Techniques

Sports massage is used to help treat and prevent further injuries. Sports massage is known to be a type of Swedish massage that helps to prepare the body to unlimited mobility. This is also good for those that suffer with chronic pain and other condition

The massage helps to stimulate blood circulation in the body, and help the lymph fluids. Some of the movements in sports massage use a form trigger point therapy to help break down the knots in the muscles.

There are four types of massages which are the:

1.Sports massage that occurs before an event which is a stimulating massage that lasts for about 15-45 minutes. The massage affects the areas of the body that will experience the most exertion.

2.The second type of massage is after the sports event which is done within an hour or two to help massage the soft tissue in the body.

3.The third is called a restorative sports massage which is done during training to help the athlete to train harder. Even with stretching without the massage will not help the problem in its entirety so the massage will further help in relieving the pain and healing the injury.

4.Lastly, the rehabilitative sports massage is focused on relieving pain due to an injury and assists in bringing the body back to a healthy state.

A specialist in sports massage will help to localize the problem and know how to heal the problem from occurring any further. They will focus on the injury more than providing a full body massage. The massage will help to increase the temperature of the muscles, increase mobility, and decrease overall joint stiffness and muscle pain. The massage helps individuals to feel a sense of relief, relaxation, reduction of stress and anxiety as this in turn helps to reduce further injury.

Resources:

http://spas.about.com/od/sports/a/sports.htm

Written by John Robben Owner Operator of Ultimate Water Massage and the Natural Pain Relief Blog. Visit one of the largest and oldest online suppliers of massage tools and herbal heat packs for the microwave at http://www.ultimatewatermassage.com

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Few things in life are more relaxing, than a good foot massage. Tired feet suddenly feel light again, and as the sole of the foot contains thousands of nerve endings, a foot massage can stimulate the whole body. Whether you lead an active or a more sedentary life, a leg massage can benefit anyone. And, as backache can be caused or aggravated by problems in the legs, a leg massage may actually help your back!

First the feet

I usually start a leg massage on the feet, since most people love to have them massaged, and it’s a great way of relaxing the whole body. However, if your partner has slightly swollen ankles, I would recommend starting on the thighs with the aim of clearing the ankle swelling, by stimulating the circulation. Then the order of massage would be thighs, knees, calves, and feet.

Preparing the foot

Kneel at your partner’s feet and work first on one foot then on the other. You don’t need to use much oil; if you have too much, your fingers will slide around, which can be ticklish. If your partner has ticklish feet, use very firm strokes for the massage; alternatively, if you massage the legs first, by the time you reach the feet they may be less sensitive. Ticklishness seems to be linked to tension, so if you can release some of the tension through massage, your partner may be more relaxed and better able to enjoy the foot massage. Work through the whole sequence of massage moves on one foot, and then go back to the beginning and start on the other foot.

The Foot

Leonardo da Vinci referred to the foot as “the greatest engineering device in the world.” The feet contain almost a quarter of all the bones in the body, each having 28 bones. The bones are arranged in arches that help the foot support the weight of the body and provide leverage when walking. An intricate web of muscles, tendons, and ligaments surrounds and supports these bones.

Stroking

Start the massage by stroking one of your partner’s feet to get it used to your touch.

Sandwich the foot between your hands and stroke firmly with both hands from the toes toward the body.

When you reach the ankles, swing your hands round and return them to the toes with a light stroke. This a warming movement, and is ideal for anyone who suffers from cold feet. Repeat at least four times.

Thumb stroking

In this move, you will apply more localized pressure with your thumbs.

Support the foot with your fingers underneath it, and place your thumbs on top of the foot at the base of the toes. Stroke up the foot with your thumbs, fanning out to the sides and gliding back to the toes, ready to start again. Repeat three or four times.

Now stroke with your thumbs working alternately. Stroke, up with on, thumb as the other glides back down the side. The movement can go a little higher than before, reaching up to the ankle. Again, repeat several times.

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Full body massages have the potential to completely rid a body of toxins and stresses of everyday life. Truly, laying down for a massage after a long week of work or a particularly stressful period of time is the ultimate release. How nice would it be if you and your partner knew how to give each other full body massages? Not only will it possibly improve your relationship with one another, but you wouldn’t have to pay someone a bunch of money to help you relax. Here’s how to start giving better massages.

Start with the neck and shoulders, focusing on the upper neck and cranium. Neck muscles run all the way up the back of your head, and those are often the most tense after a long, stressful week. Knead those muscles gently at first, increasing in pressure as you begin to feel the muscles relax. Make straight lines up the sides of the neck, up to the head, always away from the heart. Squeeze the shoulder muscles to begin to loosen those muscles. Continue kneading and paying special attention to areas where knots are felt. Knots will feel like little, round balls stuck inside the muscles. When you hit a knot, the person you are massaging will often cringe, but use your thumbs to push the knot down and knead it out of the muscle.

After you have spent significant time on the shoulders and neck, move to the arms, squeeze and knead all the way down the arms to the fingertips. Start at the top of the arm and work your way down to the fingertips several times.

Next move to the great expanse of the back. Start along the backbone, kneading gently with one hand on each side. Look for knots or tight spots that you can work through. When massaging the back, it feels best when your hands make symmetrical motions on either side. It increases relaxation and enhances feeling. After you have worked your way up and down the backbone several times, start making butterflies with your hands using the backbone as the body. Make circles and begin to cover the rest of the back muscles, focusing on tight spots. A lot of tension usually resides in the lower back and upper buttocks so focus on that area the most. You will begin to feel the entire back start to relax completely. When this happens move down to the legs.

Treat the legs much like the arms, working your way from the top to the tips of the toes, treating each one to their own massage. Like the arms, start at the top and knead your way down several times to really work through all of the muscles.

After the massage is completed, have the person drink lots of water or tea with lemon squeezed into it. After a full body massage, toxins from the muscles are looking to vacate the body. If the body is dehydrated the toxins will be reabsorbed into the muscles and the person will be left in worse pain and muscle tightness that before, which makes this last step the most important.

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A neck and shoulder massage helps you relax, particularly if you’ve been working at a desk all day. It relieves you from pain and stress and charges you with energy you were looking for after a heavy work schedule or an outdoor journey. In this article you will learn how to give a neck and shoulder massage to get relief from stress and tension.

Steps for neck and shoulder massage -

For massaging neck and shoulder your partner should be lying on his or her back. Uncover the chest by folding down the towel or blanket.

1. Apply oil to your partner’s chest, shoulders and neck.

2. Begin effleuraging by placing both hands on the upper chest, fingers facing towards each other. Now slowly pull your hands round the shoulders and under them, then bring your hands in to meet at the back of the skull. Repeat four or five times.

3. Gently knuckle the chest and shoulders in the sequence shown in the diagram on the left. To knuckle make your hands into relaxed fists, and move the knuckles make your hands into relaxed fist, and move the knuckles in circular movements. This sounds more difficult than it is.

4. Gently turn your partner’s head to one side. Stroke along the top of the shoulder and the side of the neck with your first three fingers. Repeat three times.

5. Repeat the above sequence, but circle your fingers this time. Do this three times.

6. Turn your partner’s head to the other side and repeat movements 4 and 5. Return the head to the centre.

7. Slide your hands down your partner’s back as far as you can comfortably reach. Find the groove each side of the spine with your fingers. Pull your hands up the spine with a little pressure on the groove each side. Repeat three times.

8. Now you are going to stretch the neck - these movements stretch out the muscles of the shoulders and neck and ease tension. If your partner is relaxed you will take all the weight of the head. If he or she is tense, go easy and make the movements slow and gentle. You don’t want any pulled muscles.

9. Cup both hands under your partner’s head, your fingers resting in the base of the skull. Lift the head slightly gently pull towards you. Lower the head slowly repeat.

10. Hold the back of the head in one hand and move it slowly towards the left shoulder while gently pressing down on the right shoulder with your other hand. Bring the head back to the centre and then repeat on the other side.

Finish with some effleurage movements as you began.

Note: This massage shouldn’t be done on anyone with injuries to their shoulder or neck.

Hope you have now learned how to get relief from stress and tension with this natural method of pain relief.

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

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Manual lymph drainage (MLD) refers to a very gentle kind of massage therapy used to get rid of excess fluid from the body and improve the overall role of the lymphatic system. This particular method of massage therapy is used to treat lymphedema, which is the blocking of lymph nodes in the upper and lower extremities.

MLD dates back to the early 1930’s when it was first used on patients as a useful way to detoxify the body. Nowadays, MLD is still used to improve the internal mechanism of the lymphatic system. This kind of massage is applied gently in a direction parallel to normal lymph flow in order to unclog any blocked lymph vessels and permit lymph flow to carry waste from the body freely.

This technique is performed by a massage therapist who is certified in manual lymph drainage. The therapist applies a light form of circular massage to their clients’ skin. MLD massages must be performed to bare skin and no massage oils or lotions can be used in order for the procedure to be effective. MLD massage is applied in mild strokes toward the heart. This technique will lightly stretch the walls of the lymph vessels and promote lymph drainage.

During an MLD massage, the therapist may utilize one of four very effective MLD techniques to promote lymph drainage:

Scoop strokes–In this technique, the massage therapist positions his palms in the face up position with the fingers outstretched such that hands are cupped and resemble scoop. The therapist then applies twisting strokes to the patient’s skin to promote waste disposal.
Pump method–The massage therapist positions his palms face down on the patient’s skin and makes ovoid strokes with his fingers and thumbs to promote lymph flow.
Rotary method–The therapist massages the skin in circular motions with his palms down on the skin. His wrists are used to apply and reduce the pressure of the strokes.
Stationary circles–These strokes are applied in a stationary position using circular motions with the use of the therapist’s fingertips. This is normally applied over the neck, face, and lymph nodes.

Micaela Romualdez is a freelance article writer for DFWChiroMassage. She enjoys writing on topics such as chiropractic, rolfing, massage therapy benefits, homeopathy, Ayurvedic medicine, and other types of alternative health care.

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Our back represents a large part of the body, and is a very common place to accumulate tension. Back massage is extremely soothing and relaxing and great for relieving stress and tension. This article discusses how to give a back massage that gives relief from back pain naturally.

Steps for back massage -

Uncover the back to just show the buttock crease. At this point it is good idea to place a small rolled up towel under your partner’s forehead otherwise he or she will have to turn his or her head sideways or end up with a squashed nose through which it is difficult to breathe.

1. Starting at the lower back effleurage oil using both hands. Work slowly up the back to the shoulders, pressing gently on the upward stokes, releasing the pressure as you come back down.

2. Starting at the base of the spine work up on either side, using gentle thumb pressure or little thumb circles. Repeat five or six times.

3. With reinforced hands (one on top of the order) sweep up the spine then work around the shoulder blades in a figure-of-eight movement. Repeat the figure-of-eight four or five times.

4. Now work around each shoulder blade individually, still with reinforced hands, in a circular motion. Repeat four or five times each side. You may feel knots (little bumps) around the shoulder blades. These are an indication of tension and massage here gives great relief.

5. Work around the shoulder blades with your thumbs, helping to break down the knots and bumps. Allow your partner to be your guide as these areas can be tender.

6. Squeeze along the top of the shoulders from the neck out, using your fingers and thumbs. Repeat four to five times on each side.

7. Stroke up the back of the neck and out to the ears, using your thumbs.

8. Stand at your partner’s head and sweep your hands down the centre back, across the top of the buttocks, then firmly pull up at the sides. Repeat five times.

9. Move to your partner’s side and rub backwards and forwards over the whole back with frictions to warm the area.

10. Make thumb circles out from just above the buttock crease round towards the hips. This area can often be tender and massage here is soothing. Repeat several times.

11. Effleurage the whole back.

12. Gently stroke up the spine, hand over hand, several times, allowing your touch to get lighter and lighter.

13. Finish by gently holding your partner. Place one hand at the base of the spine, the other at the base of the neck. Hold this position and feel the warmth build up under your hands. After approximately one minute gently lift your hands off. Cover your partner over.

Note: Use massage oil to decrease the friction created on the skin and to prevent the pulling of hair.

Use slow movements for a soothing or calming response and fast movements for a stimulating effect.

Do not put any direct pressure on the spine. Avoid any broken skin, blisters or areas of possible infection.

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

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Websters Dictionary (August 1995) defines etiquette as: (n.) the conventional requirements of polite behavior; proprieties of conduct; good manners.

How does etiquette apply to massage and the clients? There are many factors to consider when you schedule an appointment with a professional massage therapist.

Keeping Your Appointment

First, be on time or early for your appointment. If you are late arriving for a massage appointment, you may not get the full amount of time allotted for your massage. The therapist may have another appointment scheduled after yours. It is not polite to make the next client wait because you were late arriving for your appointment.

Most massage therapists are paid on a commission basis. They receive a portion of the fee you are charged for your massage. When you fail to show up for your appointment, the massage therapist does not get paid. He/she will have to sit around waiting for the next appointment. That time is lost and no money is made.

If you must cancel your appointment, please do so with as much advance notice as possible. Most massage offices ask for at least 24 hours notice. If you can give more notice that you have to cancel, please do so. It allows more time for that appointment slot to be filled.

Some massage offices require pre-payment for new client appointments. This is done because 70% of “no-shows, no-calls” are new clients. While other offices will not take an appointment from someone who has previously had a “no-show, no-call”. I believe every case needs to be evaluated on an individual basis. I realize that sometimes an emergency arises and the massage appointment is not on a persons mind.

At Full Throttle Massage, Inc. we only require pre-payment if a person is a “no-show, no-call” two times. This is done to prevent our therapists from losing money.

Listening To Your Therapist

When your therapist does the initial interview before the start of your session try to focus on what is being said. I know this may seem difficult to understand, but many clients are in such a hurry to get the massage started they do not hear what the massage therapist is saying. I have had people start undressing at the beginning of the interview; forcing me to leave the room without the information I would like to have from the client.

There are certain things that must be covered by law, along with the therapist needing some history as to the clients complaints. If you are just wanting a general relaxation massage, this is OK. But if you have some pain that you are wanting relieved, your therapist must know some important information. You must listen and answer all the questions the therapist asks, to the best of your ability. The outcome of your massage depends on this.

Another common problem from clients not listening before the massage is the way the client lays on the table. Depending on what the client is in need of, may determine how the therapist wants to start the massage. All therapists can start a massage whether the client is face down or face up on the massage table. But the specific treatments the therapist has planned may require the client to be in a certain position at the beginning of the massage. Your time is wasted if the therapist has to request that you turn over to begin the massage.

Tipping Your Therapist

Most therapists can and will accept tips. Even though you are paying for your massage service, your therapist will only get a portion of that fee. If you are happy with the massage you received then offer a gratuity. Your therapist will appreciate the tip you leave for him/her. Unlike restaurants, there is no set customary gratuity fee for massage. Generally tips are left in $5.00 increments.

Sexual Conduct

Your professional massage therapist takes great pride in his/her chosen profession. They are there to offer help, try to make you feel better, and give you the relief from pain, stress, and anxiety. Any sexual misconduct by the client is a huge insult to the therapist. This means offering or asking for sexual favors. It is not only against the law, it is very offensive towards your therapist.

Sometimes a male client may get an erection during a massage. This happens when the client is in a very relaxed state; not because he is sexually excited. Although this may be embarrassing for the client, it is not considered sexual misconduct. A good therapist will go on with the massage and make no mention of the erection. If the client makes any gestures or references about the erection, then this becomes sexual misconduct and the session will be immediately terminated.

The next time you make an appointment remember to follow good massage etiquette. Arrive early for your appointment. If you must cancel, give as much notice as possible. Listen to your therapist. Leave your therapist a gratuity if you feel they deserve one. Do not insult your therapist with any sexual misconduct.

Daniel J. Brownell, LMT

Full Throttle Massage, Inc.

Chattanooga, TN

http://www.fullthrottlemassage.com

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Do you know that the body is an amazing creation? Do you know that the body is made to heal itself? For example, when you fall down and scrape your knees, the skin will regenerate and heal on its own, leaving perhaps only a small scar as a reminder that you had hurt yourself. What’s more interesting is that you can also heal yourself by using your innate healing powers.

What I am focusing on today is one method of healing - self-massage. Self-massage is probably one of the oldest method of healing the body which most of us have forgotten about. How do I know? Because I have been practicing it since I entered the 40s as my body has not been as strong as it has been when I was younger. Joint aches have become a part of my life today.

Most of us would have had shoulder aches, neck aches, headaches, joint aches on the hands and legs. What you can do is to note the aches and place your hands over the areas which are in pain (e.g., your shoulders) and gently massage by pinching and pulling the skin and muscle there. When you are doing it, concentrate on the area and feel the pain coming out. Slowly move the motion to the neck and up the head, behind the ears, onto the crown moving forward onto your face, gently pressing your eye area and ending with a pinch on the nose.

Similarly for your hands. Start the gentle massage at the forearm, working down towards the elbow and arm. When you are at the wrist, use your thumb with applied pressure to rub down the “crystals” which has formed over time and work it down into the palm of your hands. Then press back each finger starting with the pinkie to the pointer. If you have a lot of “crystals”, your fingers will make a popping sound, releasing the blockage.

Finally the legs. Start the massage at the biceps above your knees and work your way down, using your hands and applying a bit of pressure with your thumbs, all the way down to your feet. End by pressing back the toes.

We tend to just complain about the aches and pains, and maybe take some pain relief medication or go to a masseur. What we often fail to remember is that we ourselves are our own masseur and healer.

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To really benefit from all the advantages of having a massage, it is beneficial to know what happens during a massage session, what types are available and what to expect. Knowing and being familiar with the routine beforehand will ensure that you are relaxed as possible when the massage commences.

The therapist should start the session by asking you some basic questions about your health. This is important because there are certain conditions which are contraindicated for massage, such as early pregnancy or recent serious operations. In fact, there is a surprisingly long list of conditions that make this type of therapy off limits. The therapist will then ask you to undress and will provide towels to cover you (if you are receiving a full body massage then you will usually be asked to remove all your clothes). For the vast majority of massages you will be asked to lie along a couch which will be covered with a towel. Massage therapists are trained to ensure that you are comfortable at all times including arranging towels so only the part of the body that is being worked on is actually exposed.

The room should be warm and you should feel comfortable at all times. The therapist may play music to help you relax and may ask you what sort of a massage you would like eg. relaxing or stimulating. The use of oils helps to warm the muscles and ease the movement of the hands. Don’t worry, these will not be overpowering though they are normally fragrant.

A full body massage should cover almost all of the body, however, some therapists prefer not to massage the chest and stomach areas, as they find that some clients are not comfortable with this. You can discuss your requirements and particular needs with your therapist before you start and agree together what the session will include. Don’t forget the fact that it is your massage. So feel free to ask the therapist to adjust the pressure to suit you. You may like a really firm workout, perhaps as part of rehabilitation from an injury or you may prefer a lighter touch if your main objective is one of relaxation of the muscles and easing stress.

There are time when a session will only be concerned with a certain part of the body such as the facial area, the head or the back and neck areas. This may be a good introduction if maybe it is your first experience or if you’re a little nervous. Or, you may be having it for a specific physical problem maybe for the shoulder or legs. Whatever your needs, massage therapy offers a wide range of options that you can choose from to achieve fulfillment from the procedure.

You can heal, improve, relieve, relax, even arouse just with the power of your hands. The beneficial effects of the massage therapies available are too often ignored as a natural method of easing common ailments. It is not difficult to learn the basics of massage and the rewards are fantastic.

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Therapeutic massage is a way for people who have injuries or other issues with their back, muscles, or other body parts to seek effective relief. This type of massage therapy involves many forms of potential treatment, some of which are supervised by a medical professional. This kind of help is common and many therapeutic massage locations offer this type of service.

In therapeutic massage, the soft tissue is massaged and maneuvered. Tendons, joints, ligaments, connective tissues, and muscles are all types of soft tissues. Massage therapy seeks to restore the body to maximum health and repair the damage done by any injury. Massage therapy can consist of many different forms of massage, such as partial massage, whole body massage, or foot massage.

It is popular for therapists to work on body parts while the client’s feet are soaking in a foot spa. This helps to ensure healthy and relaxed feet. Problems with the feet can cause pain in many different parts of the body, thus massage of the feet or foot baths are often employed in therapeutic massage.

Some massage techniques feature the use of warm effusion treatments to help the process of healing. Warm effusion is basically an herbal treatment that benefits the patient through the use of herbal mixes. These herbal combinations are applied directly to the body, and used in conjunction with massage oils to provide the best possible experience.

Therapeutic massage can be dangerous if not performed correctly. The therapist must avoid any endangerment sites when giving the therapeutic massage. These endangerment sites are areas of the body where vital organs and other sensitive areas are not well protected. Manipulating these spots in an incorrect way can result in dangerous consequences, including damage to internal organs or other parts of the body.

Therapeutic massage is often sought out as the result of a doctor’s advice or on the recommendation of friends of the patient. Massage therapy is the ideal therapy for getting the body to feel better, but it typically cannot actually remedy any significant medical problems. Instead, people seek out therapeutic massage as a way to cope with the medical difficulties of existing problems.

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