Classic, Traditional, Relaxing Massage

In the United States, Swedish Massage is by far the most common form of massage available. Taught at virtually every massage school across the country as the principal modality, Swedish Massage consists of 5 basic strokes delivered in a long, broad fashion. Effleurage is the most well recognized stroke as it is the long gliding stroke we associate with the relaxing massage we might get at the spa. Petrissage is more of a kneading or wringing stroke which is also widely used. Friction is exactly what it sounds like; a stroke that warms the tissue to whch it is applied; also effective in breaking up adhesions in the muscles. Tapotement is the tapping stroke that you may have seen applied with the side of the hand or a cupped palm. Finally there is Vibraton or Shaking, also just the way it sounds, to help the muscle relax.

Swedish Massage is what we would expect to receive when we go to he spa and ask for a nice, relaxing massage. Sessions may last anywhere from 30 minutes up to 2 hours. Massage on the Move offers Swedish Massage in 30, 60, and 90 minute sessions. The goal of a Swedish Massage is relatively straight forward - to relieve stress and tension by allowing tight muscles to relax. This is the classic "feel good" massage. Other benefits of Swedish Massage are improved circulation, reduced inflammation or swelling, calming of nerves, and overall sedation. Often we find that clents will fall asleep on the massage table during a Swedish Massage - a pretty good indication that they are relaxed. Swedish Massage is often enhanced by adding an aromatherapy component with various single note or blended esential oils. An aromatherapy option any of the Swedish Massage sessions is available from Massage on the Move and carries a small surcharge.

Originally created in Europe in the early 1800's by Per Henrik Ling and known as "medical gymnastics", it was Dutch physician Johan Metzger who assigned the French names to the strokes and movements of medical gymnastics that we now call Swedish Massage. This techniques were not introduced into the United States until the early 1900's, but it was not until John Harvey Kellogg - yes the Kellogg's Corn Flakes Kellogg - added Swedih Massage to his Battle Creek, Michigan Sanatarium that it truly started to become popular in the US. Since that time, massage has become well established and Swedish Massage in particular can be found in pretty much every city and town across the country.