Swedish or Deep Tissue Massage: Which is Right for You?

Massage has become an increasingly popular way for people to relieve tension and enjoy a relaxing retreat from life's otherwise stressful activities. Massage can be an enjoyable experience for those who benefit from it, and it is also a great way to improve energy and motivation at work and at home.

But what type of massage should you get? If you go to a typical, legitimate massage spa or clinic, you will find scores of options on their list of services, some of which are obvious and others that are equally obscure. The two most popular types of massage (excluding sports injury related massage) are Swedish massage and Deep Tissue massage. So which will be of the most benefit to you?

First of all, massage should be a relaxing, enjoyable experience. If you try a particular type that causes pain or makes you uncomfortable, switch to something else until you find what works for you. Different people experience different reactions to massage, so it shouldn't worry you if a treatment your friend recommended just isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Swedish massage was developed in 1812 by a Swedish physiologist named Henri Peter Ling, who worked at the University of Stockholm. He wanted to create a relaxing form of massage that would increase circulation, ease tension and improve flexibility in patients. 

Swedish massage incorprates five individual techniques, which are used together to create the maximum effect and benefit: long, smooth strokes; careful kneading of individual muscles; friction; hacking (tapping); and consistent vibration.

A common technique called "draping" is used in Swedish massage, which means that most of the body is covered by a sheet during the massage, and the sheet is moved as the massage therapist moves to a new section of the body. Swedish massage is meant to be a quiet, relaxing experience, and therapists often play soft music in the background while adminsitering the massage. 

Reasons to request a Swedish Massage:

1. You have poor circulation, and you wish to improve it. The long, gentle strokes help to open circulation and increase blood flow to the extremities.