Swedish massage

Swedish massage is the best-known and most popular type of massage therapy on which all other massage styles are based. Swedish massage therapy involves mild, moderate or deeper strokes on the back, arms, legs, neck and other body parts to target tissues and muscles for maximal pain relief, stress release and relaxation. Swedish massage uses five styles of long, flowing strokes to massage.

The five basic strokes are effleurage (sliding or gliding), petrissage(kneading), tapotement (rhythmic tapping), friction (cross fiber) and vibration/shaking. Swedish massage has shown to be helpful in reducing pain, joint stiffness, and improving function in patients with osteoarthritis. Swedish massage helps promote healing while targeting pain, injuries, stress and stiffness using gliding, kneading, tapping, friction and light shaking—designed to ease back pain and help relaxation.

Relaxation massage involves a full body massage of light pressure that relieves muscle tension, stimulates circulation, increases serotonin levels, improves muscle tone and promotes mind and body relaxation.