Swedish Massage
For information on making Massage
Oils click here.
Per-Henrik Ling (1776-1839), a Swedish medical-gymnastic practitioner,
was born in the south of Sweden in 1776 and is often credited with developing
the techniques of Swedish Massage, or Classical Massage, as it is also
known. In the late 1790s he suffered from rheumatism but discovered that
the daily disciplines of fencing and gymnastics completely restored his
bodily health. He wanted others to benefit from what he had learnt and
so developed a system of medical gymnastics, which became known as the
Swedish Movement System. His ambition was to do everything he could to
make the Swedish population strong and healthy in both body and spirit.
After many failed attempts, he finally received co-operation from the
Swedish government in 1813 and the Royal Gymnastic Central Institute
was opened for the training of gymnastic instructors. There have been
developments on Ling’s work and while he used movement to cure
ill health, the five classic techniques of Swedish Massage are said to
be credited to a Dutch physician, Dr. Johan George Mezger, even though
Ling is more commonly called the “father of Swedish Massage”.
Apparently, when researching Per-Henrik Ling's techniques in later years,
researchers noticed some similarities between descriptions of Ling's
techniques and the terms already in use as defined by Mezger. These terms
were applied to Ling's methods and, because he practised in the decades
before Mezger, he received credit for developing and naming these techniques.
Whatever the case, to quote from the Axelson’s Gymnastiskas
Institut website, “Ling's idea had a large influence on healthcare
during the second half of the 19th century. A visitor from America
wrote in 1901: "A true Swede believes that exercise cures all.
If you visit a Swedish doctor in all probability he will prescribe
an exercise program and send you to a massage facility rather than
a visit to the pharmacy".
However they were evolved, the five classic techniques of Swedish Massage
are used successfully by many therapists to the benefit of countless
clients every day, to this day. They are:
- Effleurage: Long, gliding strokes.
- Petrissage: Lifting and kneading the muscles.
- Friction: Firm, deep, circular rubbing movements.
- Tapotement: Brisk tapping or percussive movements.
- Vibration: Rapidly shaking or vibrating specific muscles.
On a personal note
The largest massage school in Sweden is Axelsons Institute, where I
was trained. They offer the Nordic region’s most comprehensive
therapeutic Body Massage Training and after I had trained there I later
developed Swedish Massage Oils and Lotions for the Institute. Every student
at Axelsons still receives a bottle of my Swedish Massage Lotion when
they start their Swedish Massage studies.
"I had a very enjoyable time during
my three days course. Your teachings are profound and
explicit, which was very helpful. Hopefully, I will learn
from you again in the near future."
Tammy Wong
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The 7 Laws for Massage Oils...
1. Choose Vegetable Oils, which offer excellent lubrication, such as
Sweet Almond [Oi]l, Moringa or Jojoba Oils.
2. To add body to, or to thicken, a Massage Oil, you can use Coconut
Oil, Shea Butter and Shea Butter Oil. These are Oils with high quantities
of Saturated Fatty Acids.
3. For people with oily skin and large pores, use very small quantities
of Saturated Fatty Acids to avoid blocking and enlarging the pores.
4. Never use dry Oils, such as Hemp or Thistle Oils, by themselves,
as this will make the skin feel dry after the Swedish Massage.
5. Encourage your clients to use Lotions/Cream, which will add moisture
to their skin.
6. If you use large amounts of Vitamins, you can turn your Recipes into
prescriptions (e.g. more than 1% Vitamin E Oil).
7. Always use at least 0.5% Vitamin E Oil to your Blends to avoid your
Massage Oil going rancid after 8-10 months.
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Recipe for Swedish Massage Oil
(Makes 100ml)
This Oil is used very much in Sweden as a good neutral base for all
skin types, except for oily skin or large pores.
- 10g Coconut Butter – Solid (Melt before adding to the Blend)
- 30ml Olive Oil
- 30ml Sweet Almond Oil
- 23ml Thistle Oil
- 5ml Castor Oil
- 1ml/g Vitamin E Oil
- 1ml Essential Oils
Method:
- Melt the Coconut Oil in a bain-marie.
- Let it cool down a bit and while it is still liquid, stir the other
Oils in thoroughly.
- Stir in Essential Oils of your own choice.
- Bottle and keep in a cool, dark and dry place.
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