What is a Swedish Massage?
The most well-known form of massage, Swedish Massage techniques involves broad, flowing movements mixed with more specific work. Often referred to as Swedish Relaxation massage, techniques may include muscle kneading, percussion (tapping, pounding, chopping), rocking, or vibrations. It is generally designed to promote relaxation, improve circulation of blood and lymph, relieve muscle tension, and improve overall health and energy levels.
Does Swedish massage use oil?
Yes, oil or lotion is generally used in Swedish massage to promote glide and avoid unnecessary friction. Modifications are always available for people who prefer not to use oil or lotion.
What are the benefits of Swedish massage? Is Swedish massage relaxing?
With the general goal of improving overall health and reducing anxiety, Swedish techniques help release muscle tension, promote healthy circulation, relieve stress, and improve flexibility. Though Swedish massage has many benefits, Relaxation Massage is frequently the primary goal of people who book Swedish.
What does a Swedish Full Body massage include? 
A full body massage generally involves treatment of a patient’s back, arms and hands, legs and feet, head, neck, shoulders and sometimes abdomen. It can also include more sensitive areas if appropriate to the treatment. If deemed beneficial, and only after discussion and written sign-off from the patient, any of the following may also be included in treatment: gluteal muscles, upper inner thigh muscles, chest wall muscles, breasts.
What is a Registered Swedish massage in Toronto?
A Registered Massage Therapist in Toronto is a person who has an appropriate education in anatomy, physiology, pathology, physical assessment, neurology, treatments, ethics among other subjects and who is actively registered by the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario. Only a person who is Registered/Regulated and recognized under the Ontario Ministry of Health may legally refer to themselves as practicing Massage Therapy in the province.
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Do Swedish Massages hurt?
Swedish Massages should not be painful. Even when using deeper techniques, our goal is to find a satisfying amount of pressure to encourage your nervous system to let go of tension.
Is Swedish massage good for back pain? 
Swedish Massage can be very beneficial for many types of back pain. By working with soft tissues and joints, your RMT in Toronto can use Swedish techniques to relieve the muscle tension and vertebral joint restrictions that cause or contribute to back pain. Your Registered Massage Therapists should always assess to get an idea of what is causing your back pain before applying treatment.
What's the difference between a Swedish massage and Deep Tissue massage?
Deep Tissue massage draws from Swedish techniques and may also include Trigger Point Therapy, Shiatsu, and other modalities to address the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissues. After warming up the muscles in an area of the body, Deep Tissue generally involves more specific and deeper techniques, and the therapist may use his/her/their thumbs, knuckles, or elbows. During a Deep Tissue massage, and especially Trigger Point Therapy, the patient may experience some “good” pain, however this should always be within the patient’s pain threshold – if you ever experience pain that feels overwhelming during treatment, please tell your therapist to back off. Each person experiences sensation differently, so deeper techniques must be used with caution – they are not one-size-fits-all.
What’s the difference between Swedish massage vs Therapeutic massage?
While Swedish Massage Therapy in Toronto is a general set of techniques that form a framework, Therapeutic Massage aims to address specific goals such as releasing a tight knot, improving performance in an activity, relieving acute emotional stress, and so on. Therapeutic Massage draws from a range of techniques, as appropriate to the goals, and may include Swedish and Deep Tissue massage, Trigger Point Therapy, Shiatsu, Thai Massage, Myofascial Release, Cupping, and other modalities.
What’s the difference between Swedish massage and Thai massage?
Thai Massage is quite different from Swedish Massage in that Thai massage involves pressure points and stretching a fully clothed patient as opposed to the gliding techniques directly on skin that characterize Swedish massage. Thai Massage, also sometimes referred to as Thai Yoga massage, is a meeting of Chinese acupressure techniques with Indian Yoga.
Is there Bruising after Swedish massage?
Ideally no. If you find that you bruise easily, please let me know in your Health History form and during our intake meeting so I can be extra cautious. If you do not have a condition that leads to easy bruising, you should never have bruises after a Swedish massage.
How much does a Swedish massage cost? 
Each practitioner sets their own price which ideally takes into account for the depth and range of the Toronto RMT’s experience and costs involved in running a massage practice among other factors. You can find my full price list on my homepage.
How do I find Swedish massage near me?
Generally a Google Search is a good way to find a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) in Toronto who practices Swedish massage in your area.
Does Swedish massage include feet? 
Swedish massage can absolutely include feet. If you prefer more, less, or no inclusion of feet in the treatment, let your therapist know. Each treatment is for your benefit, so we want to meet your goals every time.
Can I get a Swedish massage while pregnant?
Yes absolutely, Swedish Massage is a great way to feel more comfortable in your body during pregnancy. Normally done in side-lying position, prenatal Swedish massage helps improve circulation, relieve muscle tension, and improve overall health. As your body constantly adapts to the growing life inside you, Swedish Massage can play a valuable role in your self care routine.
Why is it called Swedish massage? 
The development of Swedish massage is generally attributed to fencing instructor Per Henrik Ling. After experiencing the positive effects of daily exercise and movement, he became educated in medicine and then developed a range of medical gymnastics movements for the benefit of others. This lead to the development of massage techniques that were further developed by the Dutch practitioner Johann Georg Mezger and later given the French names effleurage (stroking), petrissage (kneading) and tapotement (tapping). Massage Today has a great article if you are interested in more info about Per Henrik Ling.
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