Swedish Massage is the application of 5 different strokes to your muscles. 1) Effleurage - long gliding strokes that broaden and flaten your muscles, and that bring blood into the muscles. These strokes are the first ones done to each muscle group as they warm up the muscles for the following strokes. 2) Petrissage - Kneading strokes that milk toxins from the muscles. These strokes really feel good when your muscles are hyper-tonic (i.e. tense). 3) Friction - These are the strokes that can be deep and may hurt a little. They do not glide over the skin, but rather they move the muscle beneath the skin. They are done across the muscle fiber as well as with the fiber, and serve to loosen and relax tight muscles. 4) Vibration - A soothing tremulous motion across the skin. 5) Tapotement - a stimulating percussion against the skin.

Benefits of Swedish Massage Include: 1) Improved Circulation 2) Reduced Tension 3) Relaxation of Tight Muscles 4) Increased Flexibility Deep Tissue Massage Deep Tissue involves working deep into the muscles with greater pressure, to release muscle tension. It is a bit painful sometimes, but can provide great relief. Some people like it, and some do not. I will incorporate Deep Tissue Massage into the Swedish Massage if the client wants it done.