Swedish Massage

The Swedish style of massage was originally structured by Dutch physician Johan Georg Mezger. In 1868, his published 47-page dissertation on The Treatment of Pedis with Frictions, now serves as the foundation of Swedish Massage.

Using his medical knowledge combined with French massage terminology, Mezger devolved a structure of four therapeutic techniques.

• Effleurage - Long, gliding strokes.

• Petrissage - Kneading the muscles.

• Tapotement - Tapping or percussive movements.

• Vibration - Shaking specific muscles.

In 1871, Mezger famously treated the King of Sweden, Gustaf V, who had suffered a serious hip injury. After giving him multiple massage sessions, reportedly two per day, he restored the kings mobility in ten days.

In Sweden, Swedish massage is known as Classic Massage.