Swedish Massage

Swedish massage is a western-style therapeutic massage technique primarily aimed at relaxing the entire body. This is achieved by rubbing the muscles with long gliding strokes in the direction of blood returning to the heart. The main purpose of Swedish massage is to increase the level of oxygen in the blood, decrease muscle toxins, improve circulation and flexibility while easing tension. It generally involves the use of five basic strokes: effleurage (gliding), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (rhythmic tapping), friction (cross fiber), and vibration/shaking. Swedish massage is often used in settings like spas and wellness centers. It is also a foundational technique used in sports massage, deep tissue massage, and aromatherapy massage.