A Complete and Simplified Guide to Swedish Massage and Skincare Spa Therapy

By Claris Bailey-Brown

A Complete and Simplified Guide to Swedish Massage,Skincare and Spa Therapy is an excellent book for both students and professionals. It covers crucial areas of interest that are invaluable to achieve excellence in certain techniques. This book includes step by step guide on techniques, biological underlying principles, materials needed to carry out the job, contraindications, business form templates along with revision questions. The varied experience of the writer ensured that no stones are left unturned. Claris Bailey-Brown has worked in numerous capacity as a beauty therapist in the UK. She trained at the London School of Beauty & Make-up with CIBTAC accreditation.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: May 4, 2011
• ISBN: 9781447688952

Book preview

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INTRODUCTION

Presently, persons are experimenting with machines to perform massage. However, because of the one to one communication between the therapist and client, even in a world that is highly technological, nothing compares to the healing effects of human touch when applied with knowledge and technique. Massage is here to stay.

Apart from the fact that Swedish massage has emerged historically. One of the main reasons why it has increased in popularity is its focus on relaxation that is a remedy for the high stress environment especially in first and third world countries. The other contemporary reason is its therapeutic value and ease in which it lends itself to the application of medicinal oils and mixtures.

This manual is specially written for the student or anyone who is interested in massage and beauty therapy. Ladies, men, how often do you hear your other half say my body aches or I feel stressed out? I am sure you hear this and other complaints about aches, strains and being stressed out, why not learn simple straightforward techniques to remedy these problems. Applying massage techniques to your loved ones can be very fulfilling, think of the pleasure you will both receive.

Learn about the human body and how Swedish massage affects it and step-by-step techniques for a complete body massage, skin care and spa treatments, everything that you should know is in this book for your convenience. As a student learning about Swedish massage, I could not find any book that could give me detailed information or instruction about this specific massage. After completing my course I decided that I would make it quite simple for persons who are interested in it for one reason or the other.

Teach yourself the techniques I use in Swedish massage; learn how to give a complete body massage by following easy-to-learn steps. Learn about Spa therapy, aromatherapy and skin care.

~CHAPTER ONE~

INTRODUCTION TO MASSAGE

Massage therapy is one of the oldest treatments used by humans. In ancient Greece, Hippocrates (regarded as the father of medicine) thought that to maintain good health, a massage using oils should be taken or given daily. It was found to be very effective, working on the mind as well as the body. At the physical level, massage was intended to help the body digest food, eliminate waste materials, stimulate the nervous system, relax the muscles and increase the circulation of blood.

TYPES OF MASSAGE

The types of massage that exist are many and varied, some will be discussed briefly.

Acupressure: This remove blocks in the meridian system and is based on Chinese medical practice. Often helpful for improving immune system and well-being.

Aromatherapy: This restores and heals the mind and body. The massage therapist adds a blend of essential oils in her carrier oil, the fragrances have an effect on the psyche; which can cause mental relaxation, relieve stress and tension.

Cranio-Sacral: This loosens neck muscles.

Deep tissue massage: Focuses on deep layers of muscle tissue, with special emphasis placed on specific areas requiring this treatment. Slow strokes and deep finger pressure are applied on contracted muscles either following or going across the fibres of the muscles, tendons and fascia.

Feldenkrais: This helps with sports injuries, snoring, and general tension, which may often get people out of comas.

Hot/cold stone massage: A variation on classic massage therapy. Heated, smooth, flat stones are placed on key points on the body. The therapist will also hold the stones and use them to massage areas of the body.

On-site/chair/seated massage: Performed while the client remains fully clothed and seated. The client’s head, neck, shoulder, back and arms are massaged in a 10-15 session.

Reflexology: This is a system of massage that balances the inner organs of the body. Manipulations are to the hand or feet; the theory states that reflex points in the extremities correspond to organs in the body.

Shiatsu: This is based off the Japanese system and is done by applying pressure using the hands, elbows or knees to specific points on the body. This technique is focused on releasing blocked energy.

Swedish Massage: This focuses on relaxation.

Thai: This is done to achieve prefect energy balancing by stretching areas of the body and by using the hands, feet, and elbows to apply pressure to these areas.

SWEDISH MASSAGE

This type of massage was derived from, Per Henrik Ling, a Swedish athlete. He found that Swedish massage is a combination of relaxing effects and exercises that work on the joints and muscles, and was still based on the form that was practiced in ancient times.

Today, not much has changed, Swedish massage is a relaxing oil massage with emphasis on relieving muscular tension, reducing stress, aiding in relaxation, relieving pain and providing a general attitude adjustment.

Purpose of Swedish Massage

Swedish massage shortens recovery time from muscular strain by flushing the tissues of lactic acid, uric acid, and other metabolic wastes. It increases circulation without increasing heart load. It stretches the ligaments and tendons keeping them supple and pliable. Swedish massage also stimulates the skin and nervous system and soothes the nerves themselves at the same time. It reduces stress, both emotional and physical, and is suggested in a regular program for stress management. It also has many specific medical uses.

Swedish Massage Techniques

Swedish massage techniques include: long strokes, kneading, friction, tapping, percussion, vibration, effleurage, and shaking motions. The usual sequences of techniques are:

Effleurage: Gliding strokes with the palms, thumbs and/or fingertips

Petrissage: Kneading movements with the hands, thumbs and/or fingers

Friction: Circular pressures with the palms of hands, thumbs and/or fingers

Vibration: Oscillatory movements that shake or vibrate the body

Percussion: Brisk hacking or tapping

Passive and active movements: Bending and stretching

Swedish massage feels good, is relaxing and invigorating. It affects the nerves, muscles, glands, and circulation, while promoting health and well being.

The type of technique administered is determined by the part of the body to be massaged. The result is total body relaxation. The skin tingles; the muscles feel better; the mind is at rest and energy is restored.

Benefits of a Massage

The skin and all its structures are nourished.

Muscle fibres are stimulated and strengthened.

Fat cells reduce over time.

Circulation is increased and improved.

The nerves are soothed and relaxed.

Deep relaxation is achieved.

Stimulate body and mind without the negative side effects of drugs.

Relieves mental and physical fatigue.

Soreness and aching is prevented if massage is given after exercise, which will remove waste products that normally build up and accumulate in muscles during exercise or any strenuous physical activity.

The function of every internal organ can be improved, directly or indirectly, by the application of many different techniques.

Relieves back pain.

Keeps the lymphatic system in perfect working condition.

BODY SYSTEMS AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO MASSAGE

Knowledge of how the body is built and how it works is essential in learning the art of therapeutic massage. We need massage for different reasons; when felling stressed out, for sore and aching muscles, poor circulation, anxiety and the list goes on.

When skillfully applied, massage will correct any of the conditions listed above and will influence the structures and functions of the body either directly or indirectly. The immediate effects of massage are first noticed on the skin;