Swedish Massage

Swedish massage can be a very cost-effective treatment for osteoarthritis patients.

What is a Swedish Massage?

The type of massage that was developed by a Swedish doctor named Per Henrik Ling at the University of Stockholm in 1812 whereby the direction of massage is towards the heart following the blood flow is called Swedish Massage. The technique is to relax muscles by applying pressure to them against deeper muscles and bones.

Why Swedish Massage?

One intends to increase the oxygen flow in the blood and release toxins from the muscles. Other benefits include easing of muscular strain because of flushing the toxins and metabolic wastes. The ligaments and tendons are stretched to make them supple and pliable. It soothes the nerves. It reduces physical and emotional stress.

What are the Swedish Massage Techniques?

Swedish massage techniques are called effleurage, petrissage, friction, vibration, percussion, and passive and active movements. The movements can be long strokes, kneading, tapping, , and shaking motions. There are often lubricants such as oil, cream or lotion used to reduce friction. The description of the techniques are :

Effleurage are gliding strokes with the palms, thumbs and/or fingertips,
Petrissage: Kneading movements with the hands, thumbs and/or fingers,
Friction: Circular pressures with the palms of hands, thumbs and/or fingers
Vibration: Oscillatory movements that shake or vibrate the body
Percussion: Brisk hacking or tapping and
Passive and active movements: Bending and stretching

Benefits of Swedish Massage?

A study was conducted upon 68 participants (less than 35 years of age) over 16 weeks to ascertain the benefits of Swedish massage on osteoarthritis patients with pain, stiffness and limited range of motion.

The result was published in the December 11 Archives of Internal Medicine.

In America, Osteoarthritis is a severe handicap to 21 millions that is more limiting than lung disease, heart disease and diabetes.

The participants were made into two groups. One group received massage therapy immediately. The other received massage after an initial eight-week delay. Both groups were put to previously prescribed medications and treatments.

The first group received a standard one-hour Swedish massage twice a week for four weeks, followed by Swedish massage once a week for the next four weeks. After the first eight weeks of massage therapy, participants had improved flexibility, less pain and improved range of motion.

After first 9 weeks, the second group showed no changes in symptoms. After that they were given massage. The benefits were similar to the first group at the end of the study period. But magnitude of the effect was reduced in their case compared to the first group which received constant massaging.

Massage is free of any known side effects and also has promise in case of osteoporosis. Currently available non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs do not work well with older adults with osteoarthritis as they can have toxicity problems.

Swedish massage is proving to be cost-effective and the impact of the intervention is guaranteed. Some studies also are underway to see if it can serve to be a more common option for the osteoarthritis patients who are having awful knees.

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