How to Give a Swedish Massage Differently for Men and Women

Swedish massage is an excellent way to relieve back tension and pain. As a massage provider, however, you should be aware of the difference between giving a massage to men and women. Not treating the two genders distinctly could result in injury to the person receiving the massage.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Ask the client what kind of massage they want. Opening up clear channels of communication will help eliminate confusion about what the client expects to receive during the massage.

2. Tell the client beforehand that you'll only be able to give a massage as deep as the body will allow. In the case of men, this means you can push harder on the body because of their generally increased muscle mass.

3. Remain attentive to the degree the client's body is able to relax. In Swedish massage, it's quite easy to press too hard on resistant muscles, which can result in serious personal discomfort and injuries.

4. Tell the client to relax quietly for at least five minutes once the Swedish massage is complete. This is necessary for the body to adjust to the muscular realignment that has taken place; this is even more important in the case of men who ask for deeper tissue rubs.

Tips & Warnings

• Tell the client to drink more water than normal after the massage in order to help them express toxins that may be released during the massage.
• Avoid giving in to the client's request for a deep tissue massage if you sense a pre-existing injury in the body. Massaging a prior injury can lead to a serious medical condition.

Resources

• Swedish massage tips.

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