Sweden has long been known as the country of massage. The Swedish term for massage is actually only recognised in English and Dutch-speaking countries, along with Hungary. In every other country, this style of massage is referred to as classic massage.

We will look at the history and development of Swedish massage, the techniques used, and the benefits associated with them in this article.

The Development of Swedish Massage

Many consider Pehr Henrik Ling, a pioneer of physical education in Sweden, to be the originator of Swedish massage. Though Ling did found the Royal Central Gymnastics Institute in Sweden and is credited with developing calisthenics and free calisthenics, there is little or no evidence to suggest he invented any new forms of massage.

Johann Georg Mezger, who named the basic strokes with French terms, developed Swedish massage from Chinese and Greek massage techniques, which are credited as the origin of Swedish massage.

How Do Swedish Massage Techniques Work?

Swedish massage is made up of five strokes. The five basic strokes are:


A gliding or sliding stroke known as effleurage
Petrissage, or kneading
Tapotement, or rhythmic tapping
Friction between fibers or between fibers
and vibration / shaking

The techniques are applied to the body with massage oil and range from gentle pressure to vigorous pressure.

Swedish Massage: Why Should You Try It?

There are Zen'd Out Massage Spa to regular Swedish massage, including:

A Swedish massage promotes relaxation and has been proven to ease tension in back and neck muscles, both of which occur commonly in office workers.
Researchers have found that Swedish massage can reduce chronic pain, fatigue, joint stiffness, and improve function in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.

Studies have repeatedly shown that massage can be effective for those suffering from depression and anxiety.

We offer a variety of Swedish massages here at Zen'd Out Massage Spa's Downtown Denver. We are located at 910 16th St Mall, Suite 408, Denver, CO 80202 or you can call (303) 656-2944 to schedule an appointment.