Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/68016
asked them to do their very best to leave out other techniques and to follow the progression of a classic Swedish massage. I told them I wanted to feel each of the strokes and how my body felt without treatment-oriented massage work. Even with this lengthy explanation, friction was the only Swedish technique therapists used consistently. One therapist said, "I know I learned Swedish in massage school—remind me what the strokes are again." When asked to demonstrate tapotement, petrissage, or vibration, therapists either resisted (one therapist said, "I don't do tapotement, because my clients don't want it") or they performed the strokes poorly. I would not say their massages were of poor quality; oftentimes, the integrated massages I received were very good, even exceptional. I do, however, think that the skills to apply tapotement, petrissage, or vibration effectively were lacking in the majority of the massages I received. All things considered, good Swedish may be harder to apply than good myofascial release or good neuromuscular therapy. For example, good petrissage requires excellent hand strength to lift tissue, rhythm so that the strokes feel even, and endurance because it is fatiguing. I've never been able to deliver a really good, fine vibration myself. Tapotement requires excellent rhythm and palpation skills to apply the strokes at the right depth for the individual client. Maybe Swedish massage gets devalued, because it is really difficult to deliver each of the strokes with fluidity and perfection. All of these massages gave me ample opportunity for self-reflection. First, I thought about how great my body feels when I get regular massage, and then I thought about my own massage style. I don't have a private practice anymore, but I do work on my friends who are rock climbers. One in particular comes for regular massage each week. Normally, I open his massage with a bit of effleurage, and then I launch Effleurage. A long, gliding stroke usually applied toward the heart. into treatment work, treatment work, and more treatment work. He usually leaves my house with glazed eyes and a drunken expression on his face. "Oh dear!" I suddenly thought to myself. "If Swedish massage is dead, I'm one of the people who killed it!" I decided to try a little experiment on my friend. I didn't say anything beforehand, but when he came for his regular massage, I delivered a classic Swedish massage instead of treatment work. I followed the classic Swedish progression of effleurage, petrissage, friction, vibration, tapotement, and joint movement. I didn't dig my elbow into his traps or pin and stretch his pec muscles until they give in. I kept it Swedish. Firm Swedish, but all Swedish. At the end of the massage, I asked him how he felt. "That was really different from what you normally do," he said. "It was great, and I feel energized and loose. I don't feel like I need to go home and sleep it off. I want more of my massages to feel like that!" I had to admit that his face was glowing (not drunken) and his eyes were shining (not glazed). I comforted myself with the suspicion that the results from the Swedish massage wouldn't be as long lasting as the treatment work. I called him a few days later to check in and his enthusiasm for how great his body felt threw me into confusion. Is it possible that a firm Swedish massage is just as treatment-oriented as a treatment massage? Is it time for a serious Swedish revival? I got a little worked up. What would it take for the massage profession to return Swedish to a place of respect and prominence as a stand-alone massage system in its purest form, without the need to throw in techniques from other systems? I decided to dedicate myself to improving my Swedish massage, first by revisiting its history, then connect with your colleagues on massageprofessionals.com 39