St Mary's School Calne

view main navigation

Body and Soul: Swedish Massage

Swedish Massage

This massage technique features long flowing strokes, often but not necessarily in the direction of the heart. Swedish massage is designed to increase circulation and blood flow. This massage therapy can be hugely beneficial in a number of key areas:

Stress and Stress Related Illness

  • Induces physical and mental relaxation
  • Communicates to the mind and body bringing it towards a state of tranquility and stability

Cardiovascular System

  • Massage can help reduce high blood pressure
  • It can also help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease
  • Improves circulation of the Lymphathic System
  • Helps transport waste products out of the body
  • Reduces the build up of toxins, increases immunity and decreases susceptibility to disease
  • Helps strengthen the Immune System
  • Helps lower stress levels
  • Strengthens the defence system with reduced susceptibility to disease
  • Digestive System - relaxation aids digestion and reduces the symptoms of IBS - a well-known response to stomach stress
  • Massage helps decrease digestive disorders.

Reproductive System - When we are suffering from stress, our sexual responses are depressed. This prevents the release of sex hormones (Gonado Trophic Hormones) and can lead to the cessation of ovulation and menstruation.

  • Massage can help increase your sex drive and help with fertility complications

Respiratory System - Stress creates erratic and shallow breathing that only uses the chest muscles. This is a very inefficient method of breathing in contrast to diaphragmatic breathing.

  • Using massage helps increase cellular function which can be very beneficial

Musculoskeletal Pain - can be caused by stress or other lifestyle factors such as weight, lack of excessive physical activity, age or occupation.

  • Due to its effects on tissue integrity, massage can often provide short-term and in some cases long-term relief

Cellulite - is a condition where areas of adipose tissue become hard, lumpy and difficult to remove. It is more common in women because of the greater amount of oestrogen produced which encourages the laying down of fat.

  • Massage can help reduce cellulite by softening adipose tissue and increasing circulation to the area

Oedema - is swelling of tissue due to an accumulation and stagnation of tissue fluid in tissue spaces.

  • Massage increases the blood and lymphatic circulation so it is a beneficial treatment in the prevention and reduction of oedema

Please note that the pdf link below is in Adobe Acrobat format. A free Adobe reader can be found by following this link http://www.adobe.com 

To obtain prices and full details of all swedish massage treatments, please click on this Body & Soul PDF Link.