 Swedish massage doesn’t come from Sweden and Swede was not the one, who invented it. This type of massage doesn’t have the name “Swedish” In Sweden. In fact, in European countries it’s called “classic massage”. The name “swedish massage” is more common for America. Swedish massage is the most needed type of massage in the United States.
Some scientists affirm that Henrik Ling, was the first person, who introduced swedish massage. He lived in the beginning of nineteenth century and was famous gymnastics instructor and fencing expert. But the rest of researchers don’t agree that Henrik Ling was the founder of the most popular massage in America. They say that Henrik Ling couldn’t set up Swedish massage technique since it was not included to the syllabus of the Royal Central Gymnastic Institute, which was founded by him.
Actually, it was Danish scientist Johan Georg Mezger, who systematized the information about massage and gave the French names to the fundamental techniques of it. He named his system of massage the Swedish Massage System. It’s rather possible that the name of Swedish massage is connected to this system.
Long and gentle strokes are made during Swedish massage. They are intended to relax excited muscles, stimulate circulation of blood in the body and to warm up joints.
Practitioners mark out five main techniques in Swedish massage. They are:
Petrissage
While this type of massage the masseur elevates the muscles from the bones, rotates and presses them gently. Also the masseur rubs the skin slightly. All these actions are made to improve the blood flow in deep layers of skin and muscle tissues. This technique contributes to removal of toxins from articulations, bones and nerves.
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