Massage Therapy Modalities: Swedish Massage

Like other types of massage therapy, a Swedish massage is promoted as a way to temporarily alleviate pain and help you relax. Below are 12 possible benefits of Swedish massage, as well as information about related clinical research.

What Are the Health Benefits of Swedish Massage?

Swedish massage is a type of massage therapy that’s primarily known for its relaxation effects. With this technique, a massage therapist targets muscles with a combination of friction, gliding strokes, and kneading.

Also known as classical massage, this technique is the most common form of massage therapy in Western countries. It’s also considered a core technique that led to the creation of other types of massage therapy.

Read on to learn about what the science says about this massage therapy technique.

Like other types of massage therapy, a Swedish massage is promoted as a way to temporarily alleviate pain and help you relax. Below are 12 possible benefits of Swedish massage, as well as information about related clinical research.

May treat low back pain

While Swedish massage may help with low back pain, there’s conflicting scientific evidence regarding its benefits.

Once you do get to see the doctor, don’t be surprised if you’re rushed out of the exam room before you get all of your questions answered, according to healthcare staffing agency Staff Care. Studies show that 41% of ophthalmologists spend just 9 to 12 minutes with a patient, and 13- to 16-minute appointments are the norm for 40% of cardiologists, 37% of pediatricians, 35% of urologists, 35% of family physicians, 34% of obstetricians and gynecologists and 30% of otolaryngologists.

Some research suggests that massage therapy in general provides only temporary relief, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) . One 2017 review found that Swedish massage was indeed helpful in alleviating low back pain in nurses.

However, this may not be an ideal treatment for chronic low back pain, as determined by one 2019 controlled trial that found massage reduced only the perception of pain. Another 2008 study suggests that Swedish massage may help low back pain only if people also exercise.

May treat neck pain

As with low back pain, Swedish massage may reduce neck pain, but only temporarily. One key finding in a 2016 review found that people were more likely to benefit from this massage if they attended frequent and long sessions, according to the NCCIH .

May treat shoulder pain

Swedish massage may also offer short-term relief from shoulder pain, per the NCCIH . As with neck pain relief, you may consider talking with your massage therapist about regular sessions to maximize the benefits to your shoulder area.

May treat fibromyalgia

Some studies have found massage therapy can help alleviate fibromyalgia pain, as well as anxiety and depression. However, there’s conflicting evidence regarding Swedish massage more specifically, the NCCIH reports.

May treat headaches

If you’re seeking massage therapy for headaches, it’s important to know that it hasn’t been as widely studied in a clinical setting as other forms of pain therapy.

However, according to the NCCIH , some research suggests that a weekly traditional Swedish massage may reduce migraine. So far, the science supporting possible tension headache relief is inconclusive.

May treat anxiety

The possible relaxing effects of massage are promoted for stress management, but research also suggests that massage therapy may help alleviate anxiety. Such benefits have also been linked to anxiety associated with HIV and AIDS, as well as fibromyalgia, per the NCCIH .

However, the long-term benefits of Swedish massage for anxiety are up for debate.

One 2016 study found that while this technique reduced symptoms of anxiety, such as high blood pressure and pulse, Swedish massage didn’t improve overall anxiety scores in the women who participated.

May lower blood pressure

Swedish massage may decrease blood pressure related to anxiety, according to the 2016 study mentioned just above. However, more studies are needed to determine whether this technique can offer long-term relief and whether it may improve high blood pressure related to other causes.

May improve sleep quality

Relaxation techniques are recommended for sleep disorders, particularly those related to anxiety, according to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America. If Swedish massages help you relax, you may consider regular sessions to decrease anxiety and stress.

Over time, you might find improvements in sleep. However, more clinical research is needed to determine whether Swedish massage can actually help improve sleep.

May treat premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

Relaxation techniques, such as massage therapy, are also promoted by health professionals to help ease symptoms of PMS such as fatigue and mood shifts. Still, more clinical research is needed to determine whether Swedish massage can specifically address these PMS symptoms.

May treat symptoms of depression

The overall benefits of massage therapy to your mood may also help address symptoms of depression. While the NCCIH notes that research has supported such benefits on a smaller scale, larger studies are needed to explore the effects of Swedish massage on depression.

May provide cancer symptom relief

While more evidence is needed, the NCCIH reports that early research suggests people with cancer may benefit from using Swedish massage as a complementary therapy to address symptoms like pain, fatigue, and anxiety.

May improve circulation

A classical massage may improve circulation in the body, 2016 research suggests. For this reason, some experts recommend massages during pregnancy.

Still, this research is older, and more clinical studies are needed to look at this benefit. You should also use caution if you have a history of blood clots.

Massage Therapy Modalities: Swedish Massage

Swedish massage is the most traditional form of Western massage, and for many in the United States, it’s the image associated with massage. Swedish massage, or classic massage as it called in some countries, is a relatively gentle massage form focused on the body’s superficial layers. It is provided to promote general relaxation and well-being and sometimes for relief for symptoms associated with health conditions. Swedish massage is known to promote circulation. Among the areas of research: the potential of massage to improve blood pressure and other vital signs. In short, it’s gaining a reputation as more than just a stress-buster.

There are five basic strokes: effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, friction, and vibration. Petrissage refers to kneading motions, effleurage to stroking – the massage technique one may associate most strongly with Swedish massage and with the accompanying relaxation.

Swedish massage is generally practiced with the client or patient lying on a massage table with draping in place of outer clothing. Massage therapists use massage oils and may incorporate elements such as aroma to contribute to relaxation and wellness. Swedish massage may be practiced in spa settings or clinical settings. Many massage therapists provide sessions in their own homes and/ or travel to clients’ homes. Franchises are another common setting. Sessions are often an hour in length. Sessions performed for health benefits may be significantly shorter.

Many massage techniques are based in part on Swedish massage, so it provides a foundation even if career goals will require multiple modalities. For example, from Swedish massage, one may progress to deeper massage focused on the muscles of different parts of the body. Chair massage can use Swedish massage technique, adapted for practicality. Prenatal massage is often based off Swedish massage, but is designed to maximize symptom relief as well as ensure safety. Another variant is hot stone massage where hot basalt stones are incorporated into the session.

Massage itself is an ancient practice. The practice of codifying it is more recent. While the name used widely in the United States pays homage to Sweden, a French vocabulary is used – and it may be more appropriate to credit the codification to a person of Dutch ancestry (https://www.amcollege.edu/blog/dutch-origins-of-swedish-massage-amc-miami).

Learning to Practice Swedish Massage

Massage is a licensed profession in virtually all parts of the United States. To practice Swedish massage, an individual will need to enroll in a massage school that meets the licensing requirements of his or her state. An exception is made for professionals who are already licensed in a profession that includes massage within the scope of practice. In this case, the professional will need sufficient training to perform massage competently but will not have to meet requirements for a second license. Some health professionals choose to have a second license (for example, RN and Licensed Massage Therapist).

States set minimum requirements for massage programs between 500 and 1,000 hours. A course of study may focus primarily on Swedish massage but will include other techniques as well. In addition to massage techniques, the student will develop knowledge of basic sciences and will learn to practice the profession responsibly with clients who may or may not have diagnosed medical conditions. Programs typically include courses in anatomy and physiology, indications and contraindications of massage, modesty and draping, and legalities and ethics. Students will learn to apply proper body mechanics. Massage students will learn about hygiene practices in the massage room. Hands-on practice is an important component. Students typically practice first on fellow students and later on members of the public. Schools commonly have associated massage clinics.

The initial program may have more of a focus on spa techniques or more of a focus on therapies used in clinical settings. Massage students receive some instruction in providing massage to special populations. They may choose to pursue this further through continuing education. They may, for example, pursue training in safe and effective massage for elderly patients or patients with cancer. As an expert from Day Break Geriatric Massage Institute told Massage Magazine, geriatric massage differs from Swedish massage in the total experience of the therapy session and not just the massage strokes (https://www.massagemag.com/magazine-2002-issue97-advice97-24197/). The effleurage and petrissage, though, don’t get left behind!

A prospective massage therapist can expect to take a licensing examination. Most jurisdictions utilize the MBLEx. Candidates will need a basic understanding of multiple massage and bodywork modalities. Board certification through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork entails a more difficult examination.

Massage Therapy Research

Research in the benefits of Swedish massage is varied. One recent study focused on blood glucose in children (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22052142). Others have focused on the effects of Swedish massage on blood pressure in adult populations.

Researchers at the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have demonstrated that Swedish massage can alter biological markers of immune response as well as hormones associated with stress (https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100908094809.htm).

Still other research focuses on the potential of Swedish massage to decrease anxiety or increase well-being during specific situations – like when patients are facing the stress of the ICU (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28750965).

• Licensure Resources
  • Massage Therapy License Requirements by State
  • Massage Therapy Associations
  • Types of Massage Therapists