ABOUT SWEDISH MASSAGE

Swedish massage is the modality that comes to mind when most people think of massage. As the most common type of massage performed in the US, one of the primary goals of this technique is to relax the entire body. This is accomplished by using moderate pressure with long gliding strokes in the direction of blood returning to the heart. Swedish massage, however, goes beyond relaxation. It is exceptionally beneficial for increasing the level of oxygen in the blood, decreasing muscle toxins and stress, improving circulation and flexibility all while easing muscle tension.

A study conducted by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, and published in The New York Times, found that volunteers who received at least 45-minutes of Swedish massage experienced significant decreases in levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Volunteers also had increases in the number of lymphocytes, white blood cells that are part of the immune system, and a boost in the immune cells that may help fight colds and the flu.