swedish-massage

Swedish massage offered by Creative Bodyworks and Orlando Massage is the most common type of massage therapy offered in the United States. Swedish massage is normally a very flowing, soothing massage with a lighter pressure. There are five basic strokes used in Swedish massage.

The one type of stroke easily recognized by most people is effleurage. Effleurage is just a nice long gliding stroke when incorporated in Swedish massage. Petrissage is a stroke that consists of grasping and kneading the tissue. A good example would be when a friend grasps and kneads your shoulders. Friction is a focused pressure going with or against the direction of the muscle fibers.

Tapotement is a rhythmic percussion on the tissue. The percussion can be similar to karate chops using the sides of the hands, cupped hands and even just using the finger-tips.

And finally there is vibration. Vibration has many variations. It can be a gentle rocking of the torso that sends a wave of vibration throughout the body or gentle shaking of a limb to send a soothing wave of movement into the tissue . Below are a few common examples of problems addressed by Swedish massage therapy and who would benefit.