Wouldn’t it be nice to treat yourself to a soothing massage after a long exhausting day? As you lay down on a massage chair and feel the kneading movements, the calming effect starts to rejuvenate your body. You probably have also experienced a different kind of approach of massage therapy in a spa; every motion of those hands as they get through the pressure points delivers a relaxing feeling while it drives away your stress and worries.
If you have visited a spa several times, you might have gone through a lot of pampering massage therapies that immensely affect your physical health and overall well-being. But if there is another kind of massage you want to take advantage the health benefits of, Swedish massage therapy should be on your list.
The Swedish Massage Therapy
Swedish massage stands among the huge array of popular massage therapies all across the globe. Its calming, relaxing, and healing effect comes off from five styles of gentle yet firm strokes – sliding or gliding, rhythmic tapping, kneading, cross fiber, and vibration or shaking. These strokes go all over the back, across the shoulders, and down to the nether body parts such as the legs and lower back.
Contrary to Shiatsu massage, Swedish massage is all about assuaging the tension on your muscles, connective tissues, and joints. The massage therapist may use the heel of the palm or the entire flat surface of the palm to get through the areas of your body like the arms, legs, neck and shoulders. Reaching the pressure points using the fingertips is also an option to execute the soothing massage, relax the muscles and joints.
As it delivers the kneading movements and the combination of hand motion, the circulation of blood improves, the body pain lessens, the tension in the muscle and joints loosens, and the negative emotional aspects such as stress, depression, and anxieties, can all ease. The Swedish massage therapy has the ability to relieve the physical and emotional stress that you usually encounter due to the effects of everyday troubles, weariness, and illnesses.
What are the Benefits?
Inevitably, Swedish massage is more than just a soothing massage therapy that you can get in a spa. It provides a different kind of treatment that does not only relieve the pain but also improves your mood, boosts your immune system and your overall wellbeing. If you haven’t tried Swedish massage therapy before, we have listed the health benefits you should know.
1. It relieves body pain
Swedish massage plays a vital role in alleviating the pain whenever extreme tiredness takes over your body. As it is primarily designed for muscles, joints, and connective tissues, people who are suffering from chronic pain due to arthritis can also benefit from this massage therapy.
If you regularly engage in sports, muscle pain, injuries that result in a sprained ankle, and chronic pain are unavoidable. Through a Swedish massage, a massage therapist may target the areas where the pain occurs and the gentle strokes can help ease the pain. But if you have any serious injuries or recovering from a surgery, you should consult your doctor first before you get a massage.
2. It soothes depression, stress, and anxiety
Swedish massage also has an integral part in cortisol reduction. Cortisol or stress hormone diminishes when a person undergoes this therapeutic massage and hence, provides stress-free mind and better feeling. According to a study conducted by the Emory University in 2015, it was concluded that Swedish massage has an evident connection with depression and anxiety.
Swedish massage therapy has the ability to assuage the effects of anxiety and depression both on patients and those who do not have cancer or illnesses. Although it does not entirely eliminate such conditions, Swedish massage can enhance self-esteem, improve your mood, and lessen the tendency to experience anxiety and depression.
3. It aids the lymphatic drainage
Lymphatic system has an immense correlation with the immune system. If it does not function properly, it may result in a weaker defense against the potential health risks and diseases. Although the manual lymphatic drainage or the lymphatic massage aids the lymphatic system to function efficiently, Swedish massage also has its share.
As the strokes and motion go through the areas of the lymphatic drainage, it can improve the flow of the fluids and drive them out from the clogged spots. It can boost the immune system, flush out the toxins out of the body and hence, provide you a stronger defense against many diseases.
4. It provides relaxation and better mood.
Just like any other type of massage, Swedish massage therapy provides a calm and relaxing feeling. Those who have gone through a long and tiring day at the office or those who have been quite busy with the daily duties at home may benefit with this massage for an ultimate soothing relaxation. Due to the calming effect, it can enhance your mood and make you feel much better.
5. It improves blood flow
Swedish massage is another way to improve the circulation of blood. As it stimulates the lymph vessels and flow of blood, the circulation enhances as well. When the blood flow increases, the body becomes more efficient to eliminate the toxins in the body thus enables it to receive more nutrients and oxygen.
6. It helps reduce constipation and digestive issues
Although particular massages are known to improve the digestive system, a lot of people rely on Swedish massage to reduce constipation and other digestive issues. As it is correlated to circulation and muscle relaxation, therapists deliver long strokes and motion all over the body, particularly the lower back and near the abdominal area to relieve the symptoms caused by upset stomach and digestive problems.
Conclusion
There is certainly a lot of ways to experience a soothing, relaxing, and revitalizing massage. You may have your handheld massagers or portable massage chairs at home to give you a moment of relaxation. In addition to these effective alternatives, Swedish massage therapy is another way to alleviate body and muscle pain, improve your mood, and enhance your immune system.
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