In Swedish Massage, the client lies on a couch, while a
variety of therapeutic massage techniques are performed on the body's soft
tissues by the therapist’s hands with a little oil, cream or talc. The body is
covered with towels and these are folded back from each area as it is worked on
and then replaced, leaving private areas covered at all times. Swedish Massage
techniques include effleurage (stroking), petrissage (kneading and
squeezing), frictions, percussion and tapotement (tapping and cupping). It
is a deep and firm style of massage to really work areas of tension, but can be
adapted to your preference. A full body Swedish Massage covers legs and feet,
abdomen, back and neck, top of chest and shoulders, and arms and hands. Or
particular areas can be focused on, as in the popular back, shoulders, upper
chest and neck massage as many people carry a lot of tension and get knots and
stiffness in this area. Aromatherapy oils can also be used after some
additional consultation.