Swedish vs non-Swedish

[Lakota]

Part of a session I gave this week is the inspiration for this thread... the session length the client had purchased was not as long as I like in order to address the concerns he had, and so I was trying to work "efficiently" which meant, among other things, not a lot of Swedish.

I had moved to the head of the table to begin some supine neck work; cupped the client's head in one hand and turned it to the side; was about to jump right in and stopped. Did two yummy effleurages first... not so much to warm the area up physically as much as psychologically. The area can be sensitive and this was our first session together... the strokes had an immediate effect and he relaxed as I moved into the more specific work.

So I've been reflecting on the words of one of my teachers: "Anyone who talks negatively about Swedish is just showing their ignorance." Also, I was thinking about the pure pleasure of Swedish massage and the challenges folks often have to making healthy pleasure a value and priority in our culture.

Anyway, what I'd like from you, aside from anything else you might like to share, is to share your Swedish vs non-Swedish perspective. Imagine MassagePlanet has been broken up into two camps, those who use Swedish in their practices and those who don't. You don't have to dislike Swedish to comment from a non-Swedish perspective... maybe you just specialize in one or two other modalities and find you don't need it?

I'm most interested in anecdotes and opinions on what makes Swedish great/powerful/etc from the Swedish camp and illumination from the non-Swedish camp on what their practices look like without this modality and how they arrived there.

 

[Risika]

My mentor (just out of massage school) helped me greatly with this one. The vast majority of my massage work is Swedish. She taught me how to effectively modify Swedish techniques to perform general work and to do more specific work on an area. By modifying pace, position, pressure, and/or stroke one can give a very gentle 'relaxation' type massage or can work very deep or can give a very therapeutic session.

I have not taken any massage continuing education (has all been CST) yet I continue to see great results from my massage work and clients continue to refer others to me for massage ... even though I'd love to do more CST (I am very grateful for all my clients, so I am not complaining here )

Receiving my massage work, one would say that it was Swedish massage, just adapted to fit the needs of each client at each session. So, yes I am a big fan of Swedish massage. It's great to give and wonderful to receive.


Brian

 

[shesxchaotic]

I didn't know that some people spoke negatively about Swedish massage. I guess if someone has received a very light massage or an excessively hard massage then they might have a negtive view. Yesterday I massaged a lovely 85 year old man and he said if he had know that men could get massages he would have had it done sooner. He kept saying how good it felt.

It does feel great to receive a Swedish massage as I therapist you tend to forget how good it feels to be touched. I know the massages I do are not stricltly Swedish as I use my forearms and palms of my hands a lot. I'm sure like most therapists you tailor your treatments to your clients needs. If I've been doing some intesnse trigger point work it's great to do some general massage to soothe the area - "nicey, nicey" as one of my tutors call it. With some clients I may do more myofascial work, holding and stretching but massage is always my starting point. Hope I've answered you question.

 

[Pompal 09.]

The argument that swedish is "worthless" goes something like this: It's not as therapuetic as deep tissue/myofascial/(insert your favorite non-swedish therapeutic form here). It's "just" relaxation work and it's value is far below "insert form(s) here."

I find this view to be had much more so by teachers and long time practitioners than by clients, and it usually isn't stated directly, but more implied. Clients in general can't identify the difference between styles and are just satisfied if you help them reach their goals through bodywork, whether it be rehab, lessening of pain, relaxation, what have you.

I find that getting someone to relax is sometimes the best, sometimes the ONLY form of therapy that helps them. They are so high strung that the slow, deliberate movements of deeper work can get them even more wound up. (thought bubble over someone receiving slow deep work) "What is she doing? Isn't this supposed to be relaxing? Isn't massage supposed to be like rubbing?" (I actually had someone say that last part to me once when I was doing mainly connective tissue work) My approach has always been somewhat of a mix between the two. Some swedish to prepare the tissue (as you said, pyschologically and/or physically), some deep work, then some "make nice" at the end, this sequence applying to each area of the body.

Because I have done a lot of spa work and seen the benefit of "just relaxation" I think it's value is just as high. Different people need different things. So here I am commenting from the for-Swedish camp. I do believe that aside from it's physical benefits (increased circulation, and by the way I do think that swedish can break up adhesions and connective tissue, to some degree) it's psychological/emotional benefit of relaxation is frequently what people need even more than any specific work on their presenting problems. And depending on the state of the person, how much bodywork they've received before, etc, swedish may be the perfect thing for them.

And btw I was "raised" in a deep tissue/non-swedish camp.

 

[the_beave]

Although I've never heard anyone speak negatively about Swedish in any specific way, there does seem to be a great deal of to-do about more "exotic modalities, like Lomi Lomi, Thai massage, and other asian techniques. I usually notice this in the help wanted ads for Mt's. I think they are all great and have their place, but I maintain that a good solid Swedish routine is an excellent foundation for whatever else you might care to add. I think I massage the way I cook: I look in the cupboard, figure out what will work for the occasion, and adjust as necessary. When I throw a few acupressure point holds into a mainly Swedish/DT massage it opens up a conversation with the client. Mostly they are fascinated by acupressure and like experiencing something a little different.

Also, it never occurred to me that using forearms was a deviation from true Swedish technique...

I also think as a society that we neglect the negative impact that unrelenting stress causes to our body, mind and spirit, and relaxation is just as important a goal as injury recovery or paliative work.

 

[londonism21]

I believe that Swedish massage is foundational to me in my current practice. Everything I've learned up until now has been built and enhanced my Swedish massage skills. I've taken Precision Neuromuscular Therapy and integrate it into my massage when I run into a tight area or sometimes using Myofascial Release Therapy - and for the oncology patient, I use my Swedish massage but much lighter pressure than usual. So far, there hasn't been any modality I've learned that can't be added to a good old Swedish Massage.

Now I would like to learn more modalities and grow in my skill - but I don't think I will abandon Swedish massage as a modality. I see so much good coming from just getting a person to the point of relaxation - switching off the sympathetic switch to the parasympathetic experience...allowing them to melt into the table just for awhile and escape the cycle of doing and get to a point of just being.


ahhhhh...I'm ready to get my massage now...

 

[msd]

I feel that Swedish is a good solid massage method that offers therapeutic benefits in addition to excellent relaxation work. At a slower pace, it is possible to effect significant releases into deep layers. At a faster pace, it can be excellent for pre-event sports preparation. Of course, these are just two examples... I can think of many others.

On a technical level, good Swedish massage also serves to train solid body mechanics for the therapist, which then make it easier to learn and incorporate other types of techniques. But my favorite part of Swedish is the sensation of flowing through the work. If not for Swedish, my transitions and table mechanics wouldn't be what they are.

On a philosophical level, I particularly admire the perspective and work of Per Henrik Ling, who founded the Swedish Royal Gymnastic Institute in 1813. His emphasis on movement of all types (active as well as passive) in an integrated fashion is a major inspiration to me. Though he didn't actually create Swedish massage, Ling proved its effectiveness and trained thousands of practitioners from around the world, setting the seforum.xxxe for today's bodywork revival.

 

[Social Butterfly]

I love Swedish and will never stop adding it into my therapy..I do a fusion of things..but I have to say my all time favorite to give and to recieve is good ole Swedish..

 

[Krissy]

Great post.....
I am totally new and just graduated from massage school. My interest is in highend spa work that mostly deals with Swedish massage.

I really admire all those great therapists out there in the industry that is working for themselves and doing a lot of therapeutic work.

I am also a business student and done tons of research on the spa industry growth. It is tremendous and 75% of spa business is massage and Swedish in particular.

I would have to say that all the spa growth around the world trumps the idea that Swedish massage is worthless. In fact the numbers prove that it is becoming more and more popular each day.

I look at Swedish as a great gateway massage for many people. I think it is just as important as any other.

It is a total opinion but I think all massage is important and none should be overlooked.

 

[Graci]

I'd be curious, in the spa setting, how many people choose swedish because it is the main thing on the menu, usually opposite "deep tissue" and that sounds kind of scary...like they don't want to get hurt.

Swedish is one of the most well known massage words. But my impression is that most spa-goers really don't know what their asking for. They couldn't tell the difference if you gave them Lomi Lomi, Abhyanga, Swedish, or some other non-deep tissue work.

If almost all therapists in the US were mainly trained in Shiatsu, that was the main thing on the menu, and all the rooms had shiatsu mats in them, wouldn't that become the most popular?

Sorry to hijack...just wanted to bring in the question "chicken or egg?" is it popular because it's available, or available because it's popular?

 

[LuvInLust]

I'd be curious, in the spa setting, how many people choose swedish because it is the main thing on the menu, usually opposite "deep tissue" and that sounds kind of scary...like they don't want to get hurt.

Swedish is one of the most well known massage words. But my impression is that most spa-goers really don't know what their asking for. They couldn't tell the difference if you gave them Lomi Lomi, Abhyanga, Swedish, or some other non-deep tissue work.

If almost all therapists in the US were mainly trained in Shiatsu, that was the main thing on the menu, and all the rooms had shiatsu mats in them, wouldn't that become the most popular?

Sorry to hijack...just wanted to bring in the question "chicken or egg?" is it popular because it's available, or available because it's popular?

Awesome point!.....
As far as the high-end spa prices I think that most the people who do pay the high prices are the ones who just want to relax. I think the therapists who are doing the really incredible work are the ones out in the field who are working for themselves and doing therapeutic work.

I would think though that we as therapists are in a great position to "educate" our clients about what type of massage they are getting. Then they will be able to really tell the difference if we intend on educating them on the different types of massage. I really think it boils down to awareness in the mind of the client.

I feel good about a massage when I tell the client what type of massage I am doing and then let them experience it. Hopefully I do well enough for them to tell a difference in the type of massage.

You are right.....what ever the majority of massage therapists are doing will have an impact on the industry. That is why professional massage communities on the Internet are so awesome. We can actually address issues and questions like the ones in this forum.

 

[unboundedjoy]

i do love a nice yummy swedish massage, giving and receiving. or any relaxation session that makes me feel present and loved. i love drifting away to a dreamy trance state... in my body, but out of my head.

if the work is too "sharp" or "pokey" i cannot fully relax, and usually talk with the therapist to keep my mind off of what they are doing. even therapeutic massage should should be comfortable to receive.

 

[John Conrad]

i do love a nice yummy swedish massage, giving and receiving. or any relaxation session that makes me feel present and loved. i love drifting away to a dreamy trance state... in my body, but out of my head.

if the work is too "sharp" or "pokey" i cannot fully relax, and usually talk with the therapist to keep my mind off of what they are doing. even therapeutic massage should should be comfortable to receive.

Hey, love your signature....and I totally like Neale Donald Walsh. I first learned of him on the movie What The Bleep.

 

[Wrestling God]

Swedish vs non-Swedish

There is 1 MT where I work that truly believes that Swedish is useless. This MT feel very strongly that Deep Tissue and Trigger Point work is the way to go for everyone.

It takes a different set of skills to give a awsome Swedish and the energy of the therapist is different also. Now for me giving a true Swedish is a challenge because I am always doing deep work. It is hard for me not to be able to lean into the table and then the client to find a still point. I always end up doing DT strocks with the swedish touch.

So my point is Swedish is very important tool of the trade and I always give to big tumbs up to a fellow MT that can give a rockin Swedish.

So for all you MT that love to give Swedish, You are awsome you are great

 

[Jetta]

Swedish vs non-Swedish

There is 1 MT where I work that truly believes that Swedish is useless. This MT feel very strongly that Deep Tissue and Trigger Point work is the way to go for everyone.

I used to trade with one who said, "Swedish is a waste of the client's money, and MY time." She didn't reveal it at the first trade session. I guess I should have known when I told her the area she was working was tender, and she went at it even more aggressively. t013

We don't trade anymore.