It’s crucial to take care of your body both on the inside and outside if you want to live a long and healthy life, and more people than ever are taking control of their health. Each of us is striving to be the most excellent version of ourselves. Everyone has the right to make time in their hectic schedules for some self-love routines. Massage is among the most rewarding activities.
You owe it to yourself to arrange a time for a Swedish massage if you’ve recently been feeling stressed or exhausted. Swedish massage is based on Western concepts of physiology and anatomy, as opposed to Asian-style massage, which is centered on the movement of energy through “meridians.”
Here’s what to expect during and after a Swedish massage.
What is a Swedish Massage?
Swedish massage therapy is a full-body procedure that works your muscles and soft tissues to revitalize you and promote physical recovery. Additionally, it has a soothing impact on the neurological system, giving you an utterly relaxing experience.
When performed by a qualified massage therapist, the session will be completed using five effective techniques. All of them have been created to relieve stress, improve blood flow, and ease muscular tension:
- Effleurage is sometimes referred to as “gliding and stroking,”
- Kneading, or petrissage
- “Tapping or hammering” is known as “tapotement.”
- Rubbing or friction
- Shaking, or vibration
The back, legs, and feet are prominent body areas that require treatment even though the therapy is beneficial for the complete body and is typically performed as a full-body massage.
What to expect during your Swedish massage?
A Swedish massage session typically lasts 60 to 90 minutes. Your therapist will allow you to undress in privacy and lie on your massage table. Towels may assist in keeping you warm, safe, and secure during this period if you decide to cover yourself in them.
You can decide not to be exposed at any time throughout the session. Instead, your therapist should respect your preferences and only discuss the aspects of your treatment they are working on. For instance, only the portion of your upper back that is being worked on should be exposed.
Your therapist may evaluate your skin type and tone before selecting an essential oil or lotion that will work for you. The chosen oil or cream is used to massage various parts of your body in a manner specific to the area being worked on. For your back, for instance, you may employ gliding strokes, while your shoulders might benefit from kneading or rubbing.
You should feel soothed and relaxed after the session. As a result, any parts of your body that are now sore or fragile from injuries or discomfort should be considered by your therapist.
Some therapists also like listening to music or conversing with their clients and patients while they are in session. Always feel free to express your preference for silence if there is music or conversation. Background sounds and other potential distractions should be adjusted to ensure you are comfortable during the whole session so that you can completely engage with it.
What to expect after your Swedish massage?
After a Swedish massage, your lymphatic system has likely been stimulated, and muscles that may not have previously felt this way have also been worked on. It’s natural to experience “an out-of-body sensation” or feel lightheaded while your body processes what occurred.
Here are some things you can do at home after experiencing a Swedish massage:
- Take it easy, relax, and sit back.
- Try to rest on your bed or couch at home.
- Get plenty of water.
- Take a warm bath.
- Permit yourself to link your thoughts and body.
- Eating a light meal or healthy snack will also help you to refuel.
- After a restful night’s sleep, schedule your next visit for once a week or once a month.
What are the benefits of a Swedish massage?
Swedish massage is a fantastic self-care option, but it’s much more than that. A Swedish massage is an excellent choice for people new to massage or those who want a full-body massage treatment because it has both physical and mental advantages.
Physical benefits
Pain management may be done naturally with Swedish massage. Muscles receive more nutrients due to the increased blood flow, which also speeds up recovery. Swedish massage also makes muscles more extended and more relaxed, which enhances flexibility.
The physical benefits of a Swedish massage include the following:
- circulation is improved, and post-workout pain is eased
- less low back discomfort
- improved sleep quality
- increased flexibility
- reduced fatigue and increased energy
- reduction in blood pressure
- more flexible range of motion
Mental health benefits
In research by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, cortisol and arginine vasopressin levels were significantly lower after a 45-minute Swedish massage. A hormone called arginine vasopressin can raise cortisol levels. Because it elevates levels of mental stress, cortisol is referred to as the “stress hormone.”
You are not just made to feel emotionally stressed out by cortisol. A Swedish massage can decrease the stress hormone cortisol. Additionally, it instructs your body to store extra calories as white fat inside your organs and around your belly. Chronic stress may cause you to feel more often hungry, feel less satisfied after eating correctly, and feel motivated to eat processed foods even when you’re not hungry.
Another factor in favor of this is the calm setting. Additionally, Swedish massage raises dopamine and serotonin levels, which elevates mood.
The mental health benefits of a Swedish massage include the following:
- mood improvement
- decreased anxiety
- inducer of relaxation
- reduced signs of depression
Indulge yourself with a Swedish massage
The many advantages of Swedish massage demonstrate that frequent massages are not only a luxury but an essential component in cultivating both physical and mental well-being. Perhaps all you want is a “relaxation” massage. But be aware that when you unwind, you also care for your body and mind in simple but significant ways.
If you want to experience the fantastic benefits of Swedish massage, get in touch with us at In Balance Wellness today!
