Trisoma^®

Swedish Massage Bodywork Therapy

Swedish Massage, or Western classic massage, is the most requested modality in the USA, for general relaxation by releasing muscle tension using manual techniques of effleurage (stroking), and petrissage (kneading), tapotement (rhythmic chopping) and compressions with oil on skin. One hour is typical, but can vary, especially if an area of particular concern is requested, such as a tight neck. Deep tissue massage is a more forceful or which may include techniques used in Swedish applied more forcefully, plus other optional techniques, trigger point, cross fiber, myofascial and passive stretching or PNF may be included. For ultimate Deep Tissue, Barefoot Deep tissue is recommended.

Receiving a Swedish Massage

the client is typically unclothed or partially clothed under a sheet on a table, and oil or cream is applied on the skin Any areas, such as face, scalp, feet, can be avoided per client request, and pressure is adjusted as desired. Hands, fingers, thumbs, knuckles, forearms, elbows and sometimes tools or vibration are used.

Therapeutic Effects of Swedish Massage

According to Healthline.com, if you’re looking for short-term pain relief and temporary relaxation, you could benefit from a Swedish massage. Long-term effects on pain and anxiety may possibly be achieved with regular sessions.
Benefits include:

• May treat low back pain
• May treat neck pain
• May treat shoulder pain
• May treat fibromyalgia
• May treat headaches
• May treat anxiety
• May lower blood pressure
• May improve sleep quality
• May treat premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
• May treat symptoms of depression
• May provide cancer symptom relief
• May treat symptoms of depression
• Feel good after – altered mood (hypnogogic trance) caused by compressions of Ruffini nerve endings transducing endogenous morphines, cannabinoids and other neurotransmitters of altered states ² Fred Kenyon & John Harris, Fix Pain: Bodywork Protocols for Myofascial Pain Syndromes © 2002, Press4Health Press (Return to Reference 2 in text)

Typical Sessions

Swedish is the most popular style in the US. Clients undress to their comfort level and lie between sheets on a massage table with face cradle. Sessions may last 30 minutes concentrating on a specific problem area, or an hour or more for a general full-body treatment using hands, forearms, elbows. When desired, stretching, PNF, vibration and other modalities can be incorporated. Paul trained in Swedish Massage under Michael Gibian, John Harris, and Katie Mickey at the Body Therapy Institute, and with Mary Lee Martin and Dianna Windwood at the University of California.

A jog around the block promotes blood circulation, however a good swedish/ deep tissue massage will press out stagnant blood, lymph and interstitial fluid from tight muscles, replacing it with fresh blood, and help "reset" the tissues neurologically and chemically. Trisoma believes that significant benefits come from manual therapy and decreased breathing due to parasympathetic response:

  Oxygenation of tissue increase
  Muscle metabolism improvement
  Pain reduction
  Anxiety reduction
  Healing and rehabilitation increase
  Digestion increases
  Cardiovascular system relaxation
  Vasodilation
  Bronchodilation

More research is being released suggesting that massage relaxation effects are more therapeutic than once thought. For example, Swedish massage can release various hormones, histamines and endogenous cannabinoids, resulting in the groggy or "stoned" feeling one may experience, and thus one should wait a while before driving after a massage.

Endogenous cannabinoids, rather than endorphins, are now theorized to cause "Runner's High" and contribute to sedation, reduced anxiety, enhanced sensory perception and feelings of wellbeing, and refinement of movements needed for coordinated locomotion.^[8] Endocannabinoid receptor-related processes, discovered since the early 1990´s, are involved in anti-inflammatory effects^[6], cognition, memory, anxiety, appetite, pain, asthma, hypertension, glaucoma, neuroprotection, antiphlogistics, emesis, spasticity and other “movement disorders“, epilepsy, eating disorders, alcohol withdrawal, hepatic fibrosis, bone growth, atherosclerosis, motor behavior, sensory, autonomic and neuroendocrine responses, immune responses, cytoprotection, selective apoptosis, insulin sensitivity and inflammatory effects.^[5] This in turn affects cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), which is used for intracellular signal transduction, such as activation of protein kinases, regulating the effects of adrenaline and glucagon, to regulate the passage of Ca²⁺ through ion channels, haematopoietic processes, and glycogen, sugar, and lipid metabolism, and even DNA/ genetic expression. The American Association for Cancer Research released research suggesting that improper cAMP function is associated with some cancers and Prefrontal Cortex Brain Disorders affecting ADHD and aging. In 2003, "The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services" was granted United States Patent #6,630,507 for "Cannabinoids as antioxidants and neuroprotectants" and cardioprotectants.^[7] This suggests that relaxing massage may positively affect many body functions, including those of pain, metabolism, and many diseases.

One possible undesireable side effect of swedish massage, is when a trigger point is manipulated enough to activate it, but not enough to deactivate it. This is the main reason why people occasionally have a headache after massage.

For more information, visit these links:

• Getting the Most From Your Massage

• http://www.holistic-online.com/massage/mas_techniques.htm

• How To Reduce Tension with Progressive Muscle Relaxation (without massage)

New research continues to be reported in the U.S. Library of Medicine supporting the benefits of massage:

• In February 2008, The Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice reported on spa therapies' effectiveness in reducing pain and clinical status in osteoarthritic patients. ^[1]

• The Psycho-oncology journal reported that, in patients undergoing intensive chemotherapy, a significant reduction in cortisol could be safely achieved through 20-minute massage sessions, with associated improvement in psychological well-being. ^[2]

• Research by the Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA, concluded that healing touch seems promising, and research should focus on methodologically strong RCTs to determine potential efficacy of CAM interventions. ^[3]

• The Journal of the American Dental Association reported results that suggested that acupuncture, biofeedback and relaxation massage were comparable to conservative treatment (for example, an intraoral appliance) for chronic facial pain, and warranted further study. ^[4]

• In 1992 the Johnson & Johnson company sponsored the Touch Research Institute by Director Tiffany Field, Ph.D, at the University of Miami School of Medicine to begin research on how massage affects health. Over 100 studies have produced significant research findings including enhanced growth, diminished pain, decreased autoimmune problems, increased pulmonary function in asthma, decreased glucose levels in diabetes, enhanced immune function (e.g., in HIV and cancer), and enhanced alertness and performance (e.g., EEG pattern of alertness and better performance on math computations). Many of these effects appear to be mediated by decreased stress hormones.

• For Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis patients, massage can soothe muscle spasms, improve motor function and improve psychological well-being.