Swedish Massage is a relaxing, smooth and fluid modality. It originated in Sweden and is a favorite of spas all around the world. In addition to improving circulation and relaxing the body, Swedish massage can be paired with many other modalties to create a custom massage. It is a good base massage with which to build other more specific techniques upon, and feels amazing!

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Swedish massage increases oxygen in the blood and lowers the stress hormone cortisol.

 

A study conducted by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, and published in The New York Times, discovered that participants who received a 45-minute Swedish massage experienced significant decreases in levels of the stress hormone cortisol, as well as arginine vasopressin-a hormone that can lead to increases in cortisol. Volunteers also had increases in the number of lymphocytes, white blood cells that are part of the immune system, and a boost in the immune cells that may help fight colds and the flu.

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The immune system may be positively affected by all types of massage, including Swedish.

Swedish massage utilizes pettrissage, kneading, tapotement, gentle stretches, gliding, and other moves to achieve an overall relaxing effect.