Swedish Massage Specialist Q&A

Swedish massages are the most commonly referred to a type of massage therapy, earning popularity due to the very relaxing and tension-relieving nature of this massage method. These massages are not as deep as a deep tissue massage, providing pressure that can be determined by the patient to ensure that the massage prioritizes relaxation and stress relief. Most Swedish massages will be full-body, with extra time spent on specific areas noted by the patient that may be carrying more tension than others. It is a great treatment option for those who have developed muscle tension due to repetitive daily activities such as sitting at a desk or computer or exercising as it can provide significant tension relief within the shoulders, neck, and back. Chances are, if you are new to massages and want to treat yourself to a relaxing massage, the method used during your session will be a Swedish massage.

A typical Swedish full-body massage will provide focus and time on all limbs and commonly tense parts of the body with increased focus and time spent on specific areas of concern that the patient has noted. You will likely start either on your stomach or back and will flip to the other side about halfway through the massage with a sheet draped over your body the entire time to allow for modesty. Only the shoulders, arms, and legs will be uncovered from the sheet while they are actively being massaged.

During the Swedish full-body massage, the therapist will likely use a combination of long strokes, passive joint movements, kneading, and deep circular movements depending on which technique will work best to relieve tension from the particular area of the body. The goal of a Swedish massage is to provide relaxation, tension relief, and nerve-ending stimulation, as well as increased lymph drainage and blood flow throughout the entire body.

While there can be some variance in the pressure used and focus of the massage, typically speaking Swedish massages tend to involve a lighter pressure with soft, sliding motions that focus on the soft tissues and muscles to provide relaxation and tension relief. In contrast, regular massages or deep tissue massages often are much more intense and forceful. Both types of massages have their benefits, with regular massages being better suited for patients with deeper knots or moderate to severe levels of tension in order to provide relief for that pain and tension. Regular massages are not often as relaxing as a typical Swedish massage but will be able to provide more relief for those who require deeper pressure. It is possible to have a Swedish massage that has increased pressure, especially in specific areas, to provide both relaxation and increased tension relief, and many patients are able to find immense relaxation from their regular massage sessions as well, so there is a fair bit of overlap, with only minor differences in general expectations and typical techniques that are used.

While there are many different benefits that you can achieve from receiving a Swedish massage, there are some effects that are more common than others and are the primary reason patients choose to try out this type of massage therapy. The primary desired effect of a Swedish massage is relaxation, which often results in a reduction of feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression, as well as providing benefits in the quality of sleep that patients are able to get following the session. This, in turn, allows patients to experience increased energy levels as they will feel better in general and will find pain relief from muscle aches, muscle issues, chronic conditions, back pains, and headaches.

Swedish massages have also been shown to provide immunity-boosting properties as the stress levels have been reduced and the quality of sleep increases. You can contact us directly or book an appointment online – whichever way works best for you. We are conveniently located at 1408 North Killian Dr. Suite 201, Lake Park Fl 33403. We serve clients from Lake Park FL, Palm Beach Gardens FL, West Palm Beach FL, North Palm Beach FL, Jupiter FL, Juno FL, and all surrounding areas.