A Swedish massage is one of the best-known type of bodywork performed today. One of the primary goals of a Swedish massage technique is to relax the body and mind. This is accomplished when the professional massage therapist lubricates the skin with massage oil and performs various massage strokes. These movements warm up the muscle tissue, releasing tension, and gradually breaking up muscle knots. Swedish massages not only promote relaxation, but increase the level of oxygen in the blood, decreasing muscle toxins, improving circulation, and also flexibility.
Additional Swedish massage techniques include circular pressure applied by the hands and palms, firm kneading, bending and stretching. Before and during your Swedish massage session, communication is encouraged with your professional massage therapist at Renaissance College so that your massage is customized to your specific needs.
Typically before the massage, the therapist should ask you about any injuries or other conditions that he or she should know about. Examples of what you would want to tell your massage therapist would include: areas of tightness or pain, allergies, and conditions like pregnancy. You can also tell them if you have a preference for light or firm pressure.