The Swedish Full Body Massage is the most popular massage offered by our therapists here at La Spa Therapie day spa. This 60 minute treatment will be sure to leave you feeling relaxed and pampered. This massage is prized above all others as it offers total relaxation which frees the mind and body from anxiety and tension.

The purpose of this massage is to bring relaxation to the body by manipulating the muscles with long gliding strokes that follow the direction of the blood returning to the heart. This massage uses a combination of 6 classical movements.

These include Effleurage, Petrissage, Tapotement, Hacking, Cupping and Kneeding.

These movements are used depending on the effect desired. They are a means of inducing relaxation or to invigorate the system.

• Effleurage is a light stroking movement, this stimulates the sensory nerve endings, increases lymphatic flow, and relaxes contracted muscles.

• Petrissage are compression movements of kneading or friction, these are performed with intermitted pressure. They remove lactic acid from muscle tissues, relax contracted muscles, aid absorption of fluids to help take down swelling and prevent fibrositis in the muscles.

• Tapotement is percussion movements they are carried out by clapping, beating or pounding, they stimulate the circulatory system, nerve paths become clearer, these movements are very relaxing on the body and the muscles are left relaxed.

• Hacking, this is a much lighter faster movement than the others, it is performed with the hands at right angles to the wrists, the palms facing but not touching. It is always performed across the muscle fibres, it is very stimulating both to the circulation and to the sensory nerve endings. This movement improves tone and muscle response.

• Cupping, this is performed with the hands formed into loose cups, which rhymatically strike the body. The hands form a vacuum like effect on their palmar surfaces, appearing to draw up the bulky tissues, creating immediate erythema reaction.

• Kneeding, this provides immediate effects and long term benefits to the muscle. Compression and relaxation of the muscle tissue causes the vascular and lymphatic vessels to be emptied and filled, thus increasing the circulation and increasing the removal of waste products. This in turn eliminates fatigue.

The main benefits of Swedish massage are as follows:

1. Relaxes and pampers the client
2. Repairs and relaxes overworked and injured muscles
3. Stimulates the lymphatic system which helps to rid the body of a build up of toxins.
4. Strengthens the immune system
5. Increases blood oxygen levels
6. Increases flexibility and reduces tension.
7. Relieves fatigue.

Please let me know your thoughts in the comments section below, if you have any questions, post them in the comments section and I will reply as quickly as I can.