Both Swedish massage and regular massage can help loosen up tight muscles and offer stress relief. But there are key differences between the two massage techniques.
Learn about the pros and cons of each massage technique.
| Features | Swedish massage | Regular massage |
|---|---|---|
| Technique | Uses a series of soft, long, kneading strokes to relieve surface tension | Any massage that manipulates your skin, tendons, and muscles by pressing or rubbing |
| Target area | Topmost layer of muscles | Layers of muscles, tendons, and other tissues deep under the skin |
| Pressure | Therapists may apply light-to-firm pressure to provide a relaxed and energized feeling | Therapists may use light strokes to deep pressure |
| Intended use |
|
|
What are the pros and cons of a Swedish massage?
Swedish massage is the most common type of massage that uses long, flowing strokes with kneading, tapping, and vibrating movements to relieve surface muscle tension. Swedish massage uses five types of strokes:
- Effleurage: The therapist gives smooth, gliding strokes using their hands and forearms, which leads to relaxation of the soft tissue.
- Petrissage: Kneading movements following the effleurage promote the movement of cellular fluids and blood circulation.
- Friction: The therapist performs deep pressure massage in small circular movements using their thumb or a pointed object.
- Vibration: The therapist presses the body tissues in an up and down motion using their palms or fingertips of either or both hands.
- Tapotement: The therapist performs rhythmic, tapping, drumming or cupping of the tissue at the end of the massage to wake up the client and energize them.
Benefits
Health benefits of Swedish massage may include:
- Relieving muscle cramps and muscle fatigue
- Strengthening muscles
- Soothing the nervous system
- Stimulating blood circulation
- Relieving symptoms of various diseases
- Firming skin and muscle tone
- Relieving back pain due to poor posture and prolonged sitting
- Relaxation from stress
When to avoid
Avoid Swedish massage if you have the following:
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Fever
- Broken, fractured, or dislocated bones
- Jaundice
- Frostbite
- Contagious diseases
- Recent surgery
- High blood pressure
- Heart diseases
- Kidney disease
- Large hernia
- Varicose veins
- Open or unhealed wounds
- Inflamed, swollen or bruised body parts
- Drug treatment with blood thinners
- Pregnancy
SLIDESHOW
16 Foods That Boost and Improve Your Immune System See SlideshowWhat are the pros and cons of a regular massage?
A regular massage is any massage that involves rubbing, pressing, and manipulating your skin, tendons, and muscles.
Benefits
Health benefits of a massage may include:
- Reducing stress and making you feel rejuvenated
- Alleviating pain and muscle soreness
- Improving circulation and mental alertness
- Treating various conditions such as:
- Anxiety
- Headache
- Low back pain
- Nerve pain
- Insomnia related to stress
- Sports injuries
- Upper back and neck pain
When to avoid
Avoid a massage therapy if you have the following:
- Severe osteoporosis
- Severe thrombocytopenia (low platelet count)
- Bleeding disorders
- Burns or healing wounds
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Infections
- Fractures
- Pregnancy
Health News
- One Death, 10 Hospitalizations in Listeria Outbreak Tied to Peaches, Plums
- Charity Scams Get Active Over the Holidays: Expert Tips to Avoid Them
- Too Few Seniors Get Follow-up Care After a Serious Fall
- AI Could Predict a Nonsmoker's Risk for Lung Cancer
- Breast Cancer Rates Higher in Urban vs. Rural Areas
More Health News »
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
References
Image Source: iStock Images
https://www.webmd.com/balance/guide/massage-therapy-styles-and-health-benefits
https://www.encyclopedia.com/medicine/divisions-diagnostics-and-procedures/medicine/massage-therapy
https://www.aicm.edu/blog/2018/2/25/swedish-massage-expect
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/massage/art-20045743
https://www.webmd.com/balance/guide/massage-therapy-styles-and-health-benefits
https://www.encyclopedia.com/medicine/divisions-diagnostics-and-procedures/medicine/massage-therapy
https://www.aicm.edu/blog/2018/2/25/swedish-massage-expect
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/massage/art-20045743
Complete List
Top Swedish Massage vs. Regular Massage Related Articles
Could a Stiff Neck Be a Sign of Something Serious?
Neck stiffness is a common issue that affects many people. Learn the signs of neck stiffness, what causes neck stiffness, how doctors diagnose neck stiffness, and how neck stiffness is treated.
Does Massage Help MCL Injury?
Massage therapy has been known to reduce the recovery time and minimize scar tissue in cases of injuries. However, it is essential to get massage therapy from a licensed physical therapist or massage therapist for effective results.
Neck Pain: Causes of Stiffness, Muscle Spasms, Treatment, and Relief
What causes chronic neck pain? If you have poor posture, bad sleep habits, or spine problems, these issues can lead to a stiff neck or other painful symptoms in your cervical spine. Learn about the most frequent causes of neck pain, including spinal stenosis, bone spurs, neck strain, and degenerative disc disease.
Pain Management: Why Does My Calf Muscle Hurt?
There's a group of muscles on the back of each lower leg that doctors call "calf muscles." They play a key role in helping you walk and run. Learn the things that can make them hurt, from a minor sprain to more serious problems like deep vein thrombosis.
Pain Management: Signs Your Muscle Pain Is Something Else
Could your achy muscles be a sign of more than a tough workout? Learn when a twinge might warrant a visit to the doctor's office.
What Are the Benefits of Massage, Traction and Manipulation?
Various forms of massage, traction, and manipulation have been used as a part of medical practice to treat musculoskeletal conditions. A massage is a therapeutic manipulation of soft tissue of the body with the goal of achieving normalization of those tissues. A traction refers to the practice of slowly and gently pulling on a fractured or dislocated body part. It is usually performed by a medical professional such as a physiotherapist, using ropes, pulleys, and weights. Manipulation is the use of the hands by a professional on the patient by using specific techniques and maneuvers to achieve painless movement and right posture of the musculoskeletal system.
What Is a Thai Full Body Massage?
Thai massage has been around for over 2,500 years. It is regarded as a healing art. Traditional Thai massage includes influences from traditional Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine. Thai massage is focused on improving the flow of energy throughout the body.What Is the Best Thing for Sore Muscles?
Exercise may be vital for overall health and longevity, but it comes with pains and sprains. After a robust exercise session, your muscles may get sore or stiff. Slight soreness is a normal response to exercise, but there are good and bad soreness. Soreness should last for a day or two; if it lasts for more than 2 days along with signs of persistent pain, black-and-blue hued bruising, and numbness, then immediately consult a physician.
What Triggers Tension Headaches?
A tension headache is the most common type of headache seen in adults. A tension headache is also called a tension-type headache (TTH) or stress headaches. It is usually associated with muscle tightness in the head, scalp or neck. A tension headache is so common that we often consider it a normal occurrence. There are two types of tension headaches: Episodic tension headaches and chronic tension headaches.