Swedish Massage Compressions

Series Summary

Swedish massage techniques are used throughout the world. Whether you are using these techniques at home, or experiencing them at a spa, Swedish massage is an excellent therapeutic stress reliever. By applying pressure to the muscles of the back using different strokes of the hand, the recipient of the massage will experience reduced tension among other benefits.

In this free health video series, let our massage specialist show you the different techniques of Swedish massage. Start by learn about compression and different back stretches. She explains different styles of massage like effleurage, petrissage and stripping. Sit back, relax and enjoy a wonderful Swedish massage.

Video Transcript

"okay, now I am going to be starting with some compressions on the back. I have the client in prone position lying on his stomach with a sheet over his back. Before I begin to touch the body, I am going to check under the sheet to make sure there are no open wounds or scars they may have neglected to tell me about. Everything looks good, so I will cover the sheet. I am going to have the client take a deep breath in and as he does this, I am going to make contact to get him used to my touch. And then I am going to palpate for the spine and I am going find the edges of the erector spinae muscles. These muscles hold us up in life and they are very important. So for the compressions, I am going to lock into the edge of the erector spinae muscles. My fingers are relaxed and conforming to the body. And again, I am going to have the client take a deep breath in and as he exhales, my pressure is going to be in and forward onto the erector spinaes. I can move down the body, compressing long, making sure my hands are not on the spine, only on the muscles tissues. And the compressions help warm up the body for the other techniques for the massage and it is also a good evaluation tool for me to see where he is holding any tension. These are the compression techniques on the back."