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Most massage therapists would agree that Swedish massage strokes are essential to massage practice. In fact, according to AMTA’s 2008 Massage Therapy Industry Fact Sheet, 82 percent of massage therapists provide Swedish massage. Yet, in the spa- and health-related environment in which many therapists now practice, this old standby may fall by the wayside.

An increasing emphasis on novelty or areas of specialization can cause some to dismiss Swedish massage as “just relaxation.” But is relaxation something to be so lightly dismissed? A 2006 survey conducted by the Health Forum/American Hospital Association found that more than two-thirds of hospitals offer massage for patient and staff stress relief. As stress and stress-related ailments seem to be on the rise, perhaps it’s time to take another look at good old Swedish massage.

There are varying accounts of the history of Swedish massage, but the term is usually associated with the Swedish gymnastics teacher Per Henrik Ling (1776-1839) and his system of Swedish Gymnastics Movements. Although he is referred to as "the father of Swedish massage," it was actually the Dutch practitioner Johan Georg Mezger (1838-1909) who adopted the French names that go along with the basic Swedish strokes:

• Effluerage—from the French effleurer meaning "to skim over," involves the use of long gliding strokes.
• Petrissage—from the French pétrir, "to knead."
• Friction—consists of small, deep movements on a local area.
• Tapotement—also know as percussion, involves brisk tapping or pounding.
• Compression—applying force to tissues with various depths of pressure.
• Vibration—rhythmic movements of tissues, shaking.

To learn more about Swedish massage, a cornerstone of massage therapy, look for “Pure and Simple,” by Rebekah Weidner, in mtj Winter 2008. This issue will be available starting early November in select bookstores. You can also go directly to the AMTA website to subscribe now or order a single issue.

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