Swedish massage involves using the hand, elbows, fingers, and forearms with long kneading strokes combined with gliding movements and rhythmic tapping.

These consist of 5 basic strokes Effleurage (stroking), Petrissage (kneading), friction, tapotement (percussion) and vibration. These techniques are done to manipulate the superficial layers of the muscle to relieve tired aching muscles. Aims The aims when doing Swedish massage movements is to relax the entire body by using the techniques, working the muscle’s with long glided strokes, kneading and friction tapping. By doing these techniques this would then start releasing muscle tension which can be caused by daily activities and day to day stress.

Benefits There are many benefits of Swedish massage it can help reduce muscle spasm, can help increase joint mobility within the body, releases endorphin, the body’s natural painkiller, improved blood circulation, very good for lymphatic drainage. This type of massage is very good for relaxation and can be very good for providing stress-relieving benefits. Which can lower stress levels and can lead to more people who you treat handle stressful situations more effectively? Stress relief and relaxation increased circulation, movements used in Swedish massage are similar to the way the body circulates blood.

Because of this, Swedish massage can promote healthy circulation, increase blood flow, and help the body removed metabolic waste more quickly and effectively. Better circulation not on helps you feel better but can improve overall health since increased circulation and blood flow means that other organs can work effectively. Limitations Swedish massage is not a cure for the disease, mental health conditions, cancers etc these should never be used as a replacement for conventional treatment options like chemo, antidepressant medication and so on. A massage therapist has limitations and should never diagnose or prescribe they can only advise the client to seek advice from their GP, Physiotherapist, Osteopath, sports centers etc. Voluntary Regulations Voluntary Regulations In 2008 the government enforces its policy of extending Public Protection by enforcing the Voluntary Regulation of Complementary Medicine this was also including massage. Regulation of Massage Therapy is a process the will ensure that practitioners as trained and qualified to a specified standard and a register will be held for the public to find such qualified therapist and where complaints can be made about such registrants. Registration is entirely voluntary and therapist are still able to practice even if they don’t register. Complementary ; Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) The complementary ; healthcare council has been set up by the government to protect the public.

They do this by providing a UK register of Complementary Health Practitioners protection of the public for their sole protection. They set the standards that practitioners need to meet to get on and stay on the register. All CHNC registrants have agreed to be bound by the highest standards of conduct and have registered voluntarily. all of them are professionally trained and absolutely insured to apply.

The CHNC also investigate complaints about alleged breaches of the code of conduct. Ethics and performance, they can impose disciplinary sanctions that mirror those of the statutory healthcare regulations. they would make a case and then sent it to the government and a wider range of organizations for the use of complementary healthcare to enhance the UK’s Health and Wellbeing. The CNHC also raise awareness of complementary healthcare and seek to influence policy wherever possible to increase access to the disciplines they register. CNHC is also the holder of an accredited register by the professional standards authority for health and social care, an independent body, accountable to the UK parliament. They currently have registered 16 complementary health practitioners. Federation of Holistic Therapist (FHT) This is a leading professional association for the therapist in the UK and Ireland.

They have thousands of members offering a brand range of specialties from sports and remedial to complementary healthcare and holistic beauty treatments. The FHT is the association of choice for the professional therapist. The FHT is governed by the elected council of members who oversee a parament team FHT staff many are also qualified therapist to represent and support complementary beauty and sports massage therapist, promoting the highest standards in education and professional practice you can also join while being a student. History of Swedish Massage For thousands of years the laying of hands or massage has been used to heal or comfort, and forms of massage are found in almost every culture. holding or rubbing a part of the body that is causing discomfort in the human body.

In the early1800s, a Swedish physiologist called Per Henrik Ling developed ‘Swedish massage’. He left Sweden and traveled abroad for many years, he was exposed to experiences that helped contour his academic research. He studied modern languages at the University of Copenhagen.

He then traveled to Germany, France and also England. He took part in a naval battle as a volunteer on a Danish battleship. After his return to Sweden, Ling began a routine of daily exercise, including fencing he discovered that daily exercise had restored his health. Despite his youth, he was still afflicted by physical problems such as Rheumatism and Gout in his arm, he began a series of passive movements and kneading the body. Ultimately, he perceived that they had a positive effect on this health.

Ling saw the potential of adapting these techniques to promote better health in many situations and this expanded his knowledge by attending classes in Anatomy and Physiology, by attending through the entire circulation for training of Medical Doctor, Ling saw potential movements, which he called ‘medical gymnastics’ and wanted to educate people on his ‘suitable systematized exercise’ he felt by performing these movements, the body and mind perform better. He then outlined a system of gymnastics exercise, and movements divided into four: Pedagogical Medical Military Aesthetic, which carried out his theories and demonstrated the scientific rigor to be integrated or approved by established medical practitioners. Ling was the gymnastic instructor in the military at Carlsberg. After several attempts to interest the Swedish government, Ling at last obtained government cooperation in 1813 and founded The Royal Gymnastic General Institute for the training of gymnastic instructors was opened in Stockholm, with Ling appointed principal and was later taught all over Europe. In 1894 a group of women founded the society of trained masseuses and worked hard to raise standards and promote massage as a professional occupation.

this later became the Chartered Society of Physiotherapist. During both wars, massage was used to treat injured people, which led to a demand in a trained therapist. today the demand for professional massage treatments continues to grow.