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The
Non-Swedish Origins Of Swedish Massage
By: Terry McDermott
Here in America we like to classify things based on
their origin. French fries, Chinese checkers, English muffins, Turkish
baths, Danish pastries, Canadian bacon, etc. (Sure is a lot of food in
this list!) For the most part, these items or practices did, in fact,
originate in the country specified. But in the case of Swedish massage,
the association with Sweden may be a complete misrepresentation of the
true source of this therapy.
Swedish Massage is, by far, the most popular form of massage in the
United States. This type of massage is intended to increase oxygen in
the blood and remove toxins from muscles. This is accomplished by using
a variety of techniques that apply pressure to surface muscles with
movements that follow the direction of blood flow to the heart. The
result is improved circulation, reduced stress, relaxed muscles, greater
flexibility and improved overall health and wellness.
Traditionally, the development of the techniques of Swedish massage is
credited to Pehr Henrik Ling whom Wikipedia, the online-encyclopedia,
describes as a “medical-gymnastic practitioner.” Now I don’t know about
you but the term “gymnastics” conjures some pretty specific images in my
mind and none of them are medically related. Tumbling, balancing,
swinging and sticking a landing are what comes to mind. But apparently
gymnastics, in its past life, included a variety of disciplined
activities intended to improve overall health and physical performance.
These activities were actually quite similar to calisthenics and other
exercise regimens practiced today and very little like gymnastics as we
would interpret the term.
Pehr Henrik Ling was intellectually curious for all of his life. He was
a voracious reader and developed a great appreciation for languages.
This fascination with languages led to a desire for travel and Ling
spent time sailing on Danish ships. It was on these ships that Ling was
introduced to the sport of fencing. He found himself a quite adept
competitor and soon his prowess was renowned. Eventually, he was invited
to teach fencing at the University of Upsala in his native Sweden.
Now pay close attention because here is where things get murky.
Apparently, at some point, Mr. Ling developed some rather painful joint
malady. But he was quite a disciplined fellow and maintained a regular
routine of fencing exercises. Over time, his joint problem dissipated
and he attributed the “cure” to his fencing routines. This healing
inspired Ling to bone up on anatomy and physiology and to give serious
consideration to the relationship between health and exercise.
Around this time Sweden was recovering from a failed military
confrontation with the forces of Napoleon. The military setback was a
grave concern of the King of Sweden who began exploring methods of
improving the prowess and effectiveness of the members of the Swedish
military. When Pehr Ling got wind of this he arranged to see the King to
present the techniques that he had been developing which Ling now
referred to as “military gymnastics.” His techniques were primarily
focused on fencing and marching activities.
At first Ling’s offer of assistance was rebuffed. But Pehr Henrik Ling
was a determined character and he persisted in his efforts to convince
the King and his advisors that his methods would be beneficial to the
military. Finally, they relented and Ling was appointed the director of
the newly established Central Institute of Gymnastics. Here Ling was
able to put his methods into practice and refine his techniques.
Ling and his associates began to focus on the therapeutic benefits of
the use of specific physical movements. Sessions with groups and
individuals became more interactive as Ling and his team used their
methods to address specific physical complaints. Particular attention
was focused on the lever actions of joints and exercises were devised
that applied resistance to the movement of these joint areas. “Military
gymnastics” were now becoming known as “medical gymnastics.”
These techniques had little resemblance to massage as we know it today.
While there was a hands-on relationship between therapist and subject,
the activities were more like those used by physical therapists than
massage therapists. Ling’s perspective on the practices he was
developing was evolving and he began to consider the relationship
between the physical and mental aspects of wellness, the mind/body
connection, if you will. Certainly, this consideration is very much a
part of Swedish Massage and other massage modalities.
But, in fact, Pehr Henrik Ling and his followers were not using or
advocating massage as a therapy. Ling’s theories and practices were
eventually refined and adapted and are the basis for much of techniques
used by physical therapists as well as the aerobic, cardio-vascular and
strength and resistance programs commonly practiced in gyms and health
clubs throughout the world.
So where is the connection, if any, between Sweden and Swedish Massage?
Well, it seems that the methods advocated by Ling became known as the
Swedish Movement System. As we noted earlier, physical movement was a
principal component of Ling’s gymnastic techniques. It seems that
descriptions of these movements and methods were interpreted by later
readers to be similar to the five classic techniques associated with
what we call Swedish Massage. They are, of course:
• Effleurage: Long, gliding strokes
• Petrissage: Lifting and kneading the muscles
• Friction: Firm, deep, circular rubbing movements
• Tapotement: Brisk tapping or percussive movements
• Vibration: Rapidly shaking or vibrating specific muscles
In fact, these particular techniques were developed and named by Dr.
Johan George Mezger a Dutch physician. Apparently, when researching Pehr
Henrik Ling’s techniques in later years, researchers noticed some
similarities between descriptions of Ling’s techniques and the terms
already in use as defined by Mezger. These terms were applied to Ling’s
methods and, because he practiced in the decades before Mezger, he
received credit for developing and naming these techniques. The Swedish
Movement System somehow became known as the Swedish Massage System.
In Sweden, there is no such thing as Swedish Massage. This approach to
massage is referred to as “classic massage.” If it were to be associated
with any country, it should be referred to as “Dutch Massage” which,
somehow, doesn’t have the same exotic appeal. Pehr Henrik Ling deserves
a great deal of credit for the methods and techniques he developed and
promoted. Swedish Massage, however, was not one of them.
About the author: Terry McDermott is webmaster and
editor for
http://MassageSchoolsGuide.com, a website that features information,
resources and recommendations for those considering a career as a
massage therapist. He also manages additional education websites
including
http://AccessOnlineDegrees.com.
Article Source:
www.isnare.com
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