How to Give a Swedish Massage

Guide Note After a long and stressful day at work or a session at the gym, a good massage can do wonders. Because of this, it can be very beneficial to have someone around the house who knows How to Give a Swedish massage, the most commonly used style of massage in the United States.

Table of Contents

Swedish Massage Tips

  1. Never lose physical contact with the receiver, to preserve the feeling of presence and comfort.
  2. Listen and communicate, so that you can adapt to special needs or pains.
  3. Dim lights and calm music can help relaxation.
  4. Go gently in the beginning, when the muscles haven't had the chance to loosen up yet.

Disclaimer The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact your doctor before using the information presented here.

Introduction

(Creative Commons photo by Zaphodsotherhead)
(Creative Commons photo by Zaphodsotherhead)
  • The five basic techniques of Swedish Massage (effleurage, friction, petrissage, vibration and tapotement) are simple enough for anyone to learn. This page will tell you what you need to know to get started.

Step 1: Gather What You'll Need

  • A spontaneous massage is always nice, but if you want to give the perfect massage, you need to prepare! Here's what you'll need:
  1. A specially designed and well-padded massage table so that the massage receiver can feel as comfortable as possible.4
  2. A body sheet to cover the body parts that are not being massaged.5
  3. Cushions are needed to put under the knees or the head to keep comfortable during the massage.6
  4. You will need a good massage oil to help reduce friction.7 Choose a vegetable and cold pressed oil that is free from any additives.
  5. Finally (if you are into aromatherapy), you can use some lovely essential oils to keep the nose as happy as the rest of the body.8

Step 2: Prepare

(Creative Commons photo by Thomas Wanhoff)
(Creative Commons photo by Thomas Wanhoff)
  • Make careful preparations to make the rest of the massage process go as smoothly as it possibly can.
  1. First of all, you'll want to clean your hands and trim your nails.9
  2. If desired, dim the lights and play soothing music.10
  3. You need to make sure that the receiver feels comfortable with undressing and being massaged by you. A briefing on what is to come is a good way of achieving this.
    • It's also a good idea to talk to him/her beforehand about where you may and may not massage.
  4. Ask the massage receiver to undress and lie down on the massage table (or any comfortable surface you have prepared).
    • Make sure that he/she gets the chance to undress in private.
  5. Choose an area to begin the massage, and cover the rest of the body with a body sheet.
  6. Lubricate the selected area with the help of your massage oil.

Step 3: Massage Techniques

  • Swedish massage consists of five basic techniques, all with fancy names. They are not as complicated as they sound, so don't be afraid to give them a try!
    • WARNING: Never apply any pressure directly to the spine.13

Effleurage

  • Effleurage means "to touch lightly" in French.14 The whole idea of this technique is to use long and continuous strokes to connect different body parts with each other.15
  1. Start with larger muscle groups such as the ones on the back, and move on to the neck and shoulders.
  2. Make full use of your entire hands (palms and fingers) to make long strokes along the muscles, keeping your wrists straight.16
  3. You can move on from the back to areas such as the arms and the legs.
  4. This is a great technique to start out your massage and get the oils rubbed into the skin.16

Friction

  • Friction is created using different parts of the hand to generate heat. Variations of this technique can get deep into the muscles and tissue during the massage, and can even be used for the treatment of some injuries.17
  1. Rubbing the skin rapidly creates friction and warmth. You can use your palms, knuckles, even your forearms for this technique.17
  2. Another friction technique uses deep, slow strokes with the heel of the palm or the fingertips.18
  3. Small, circular movements with the fingertips can generate friction deeper in the tissue for areas around joints and on the head.17

Petrissage

  1. The technique includes lifting, rolling and churning the flesh between and under the hands. 20
  2. You have to knead, not pinch. With your hands in a C shape, keep your fingers straight and knead with your palms, not your fingertips.15
  3. For areas that have less loose skin to knead, you can gently push the skin together between your two hands.21

Vibration

  • Vibration is achieved by grabbing ahold of different body parts, such as the hands or the legs, and shaking them gently.9

Tapotement

  • Tapotement techniques involve percussively tapping the massage area with your hands. Variations include:
  1. Hacking: A chopping motion with your hands straight, palms facing together.23
  2. Cupping: Shape your hands so they are concave like the inside of a cup.24
  3. Pummeling or rapping: Loosely closed fists.23
  4. Pinching or pincement: Many small, light pinches.24
  5. Tapping: Using the fingertips.23
  • Tapotement is often used at the end of the Swedish massage.

Step 4: Finishing the Massage

  • You can use these techniques on specific body parts like the back, legs, and arms, or combine them for a full body massage. Once you've finished, it's time to end it just as professionally as you started.
  1. Once you are done, wipe any remaining massage oil from the rubbed down body in front of you. Make sure that there is no oil on his/her feet or on the floor, so as to avoid unnecessary slipping accidents.
  2. Hand over a large towel or bath robe to the receiver and leave the room to allow them to dress.
  3. Offer a glass of water or something else to drink.
  4. Communicate. Ask what he/she thought of the massage you gave, and be receptive to feedback and tips for next time.25

Conclusion

  • If you have followed these steps carefully, you have now given a basic Swedish massage. As with everything, practice makes perfect, so don't be disappointed if you failed to give the ultimate massage on your first try. In time, you might even get so good at it that someone offers to return the favor!

References for How to Give a Swedish Massage

  1. ↑ About.com: Swedish Massage WARNING: Pop-ups
  2. ↑ Good Housekeeping: Massage 101 - The World of Touch WARNING: Pop-ups
  3. ↑ Massage Envy: Swedish Massage
  4. ↑ Google Product Search: Massage Table
  5. ↑ Google Product Search: Body Sheet
  6. ↑ Google Product Search: Cushions
  7. ↑ Google Product Search: Massage oil
  8. ↑ Google Product Search: Essential oil
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 YouTube: Swedish Massage Back (Time: 9:54)
  10. ↑ Google Product Search: Relaxation Music
  11. ↑ Access Excellence: Pressure, Force, Muscles and Massage
  12. ↑ The Guardian: Now for some serious pampering... (July 5, 2008)
  13. ↑ SoYouWanna.com: Give a massage?
  14. ↑ Helium: Massage movements and their effects: Effleurage
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 YouTube: Swedish Back Massage (Time: 6:06)
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 YouTube: Effleurage Massage Tips: Effleurage Back Massage (Time: 1:38)
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 YouTube: Friction (Time: 4:52)
  18. ↑ YouTube: Swedish Back Massage - Friction (Time: 6:20)
  19. ↑ YouTube: How to Do the Petrissage Technique (Time: 1:24)
  20. ↑ YouTube: Boris Prilutsky: Petrissage (Time: 4:55)
  21. ↑ YouTube: Swedish Massage - Petrissage (Time: 6:09)
  22. ↑ YouTube: Vibration
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 YouTube: Tapotement (Time: 3:59)
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 YouTube: Percussion Massage Techniques (Tapotement) (Time: 0:31)
  25. ↑ Expert Village: Communication During Swedish Massage


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