A relaxing massage goes by a lot of names but many people think of a Swedish massage, which is named for a 19th-century Swedish physiologist, Per Henrik Ling. That’s because the long, soothing strokes and gentle kneading in a Swedish massage are meant to relax, not stimulate, the body. During your massage, your therapist will usually move at a slower pace and use lighter pressure. The goal is to help you relax and not focus on any tight areas or use deep pressure to remove muscle “knots.”
When Spafinder shared the 10 most popular types of massage, Swedish massage was at the top of the list. We think Swedish massage is a good treatment to book if you’re a spa newbie or just looking for a soothing, body-melting massage. However, there are other types of relaxing massages–from couple’s massage to aromatherapy– so take time to read the spa menu before settling on your favorite.
All types of massage have benefits and can increase your wellbeing. In particular, a relaxing massage can:
During the massage, your blood pressure is likely to decrease, your heart rate slows, and as your blood circulation increases, your body’s lymphatic system works more efficiently.