This is the form of massage that is most often visualized when body work is brought up. Using oil and a combination of techniques such as effleurage (gliding), petrissage (kneading), and tapotment (tapping), the therapist administers relief to the client.

Developed as a formal treatment modality by Pehr Henrik Ling in the early 1800s, this technique blended massage with physiology to adjust and improve his fencing students’ form. He took these ideas and expanded them into a complete gymnastics program that used massage as a main component. In the mid 1800s, a physician by the name of Johann Mezger used this massage system as a fundamental component of physical rehabilitation, utilizing the international language of the time (French) to describe movements.

Swedish massage increases blood flow through the movement of hands and fingers using pressure. Used for overall body relaxation and loosening of muscles, the depth of pressure needed varies based on the needs of the client. More intensive forms of massage are recommended for problem areas (Deep Tissue, Shiatsu, Reflexology).

It been a long week and you really just want to relax.

You have a few tight spots, but you have fairly good limb mobility overall.

You don’t mind falling asleep during a massage.