Massage Techniques

Massage is one of the oldest forms of medical treatments.
The ancient Greeks, Romans, Indians and Chinese had their own unique massage system. These massage modalities are the basis for Swedish massage, the most practiced form of massage in the West.
The ancient civilizations valued massage as a therapeutic practice and used it as a preventive and remedial instrument.

Swedish massage moves are the result of combining techniques from all other Eastern Massage modalities and of the constant adaptation and development of massage.

Swedish massage uses four basic massage moves, each of them having its own value.
The four basic strokes are: Effleurage, Petrissage, Friction and Tapotement.
Other Swedish Massage Techniques include Vibrations, Nerve Strokes, Compression and Stretching.

Have a look at my Squidoo lens about Swedish Massage Techniques.