Swedish Massage,

(Usually offered in ½ hour or 1 hour sessions)

Swedish Massage began in the 1800’s by Dr. Henry Peter Ling. He was Dutch, but no one in his county believed in him, so he moved to Sweden and became a Swedish Citizen. The Swedish people believed in him and even built a college for Dr. Ling. He developed this wonderful relaxing massage we know today as Swedish Massage.

This massage uses techniques such as: Pretrissage: compressions, vibrations, kneading, effleurage, joints movement and percussion. This is one of the more relaxing massages, but at the same time will be effective to the muscles. This is a nice massage for people getting a massage for the first time. Some other forms of massage will work the muscles in a more aggressive style.

Contraindications of this massage:

Client in professional care of doctor. You will need permission IN WRITING from doctor if they have had;

Heart Attack: 9 months to 1 year after heart attack may be okay to massage, but needs Dr. permission

Kidney: Dr. approval

Infection: Fever, this is not the time for a massage

Cancer: Any kind will need Dr. approval

Blood disorders

Example: You have High blood pressure, and now you get 1 massages a week. If the reason for high blood pressure is stress, than great, the pressure will go down. But if you are already taking medicine to make the pressure go down, now massage and medications are bringing down pressure, so they could have problems after their massages with pressure being too low. This is why it is important to get doctor approval.

Example: If client is on blood thinners, they can bruise easily. So Dr. approval, maybe a doctor says yes, but only light massage.

Inflammation: Joints or veins, not the time for a massage in that area.

Injuries or fractures: Not time for massage near that area.

Bruises: Ease up if tender, avoid area. Help body to absorb fluid.

Varicose Veins: Spider veins, no problem with massage

Wide veins, but not sticking out are okay to work on.

Veins that stick out, do not work on or below them.

Pregnant Client: You do a different kind of massage. If you are used to getting massage, you may have one, but special positioning will be necessary. Note, when you receive a massage, you are releasing toxins and these toxins could go straight to baby via your the blood stream.

Elderly People: 1^st massage only do part body, work up to a full massage. Adjusted pressure should be used.

Antibiotics: This med is given at certain times to keep a certain level of meds in blood. When you get a massage you speed up the circulatory system and the meds or put into the system quickly. Now the affects of the drug will not be the same. Okay to do the neck and shoulders, but wait on a full body massage.

Lymph nodes: If they are swollen, this means something is going on with the person. Wait for a full body massage. Body is already working hard to get rid of something.

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