Swedish massage is now built into massage chair recliners. Most people think massage chairs are just simple vibrating chairs. But in fact, massage chairs are technologically sophisticated with items such as heat, music, stretching and various massage therapies. Swedish massage is one of the most basic massage techniques. It is a set of 6 elements, which for a massage therapist is easy to perform. However, to replicate the movements in a massage chair presents a set of fairly complex challenges to overcome. However, Henrik Ling, the developer of the Swedish massage in the 18th century might be very impressed with how his technique has progressed through time and is now incorported into massage chairs.

Most of us experience stress in our daily lives. We may be under pressure at work which gives us mental stress. Mental stress causes us to tense up which means are muscles are not relaxing. We may be working out and exerting more physical activity. The muscles become sore and ache after being under the stress of exercise. Both mental and physical stress can take its toll on the body.

Swedish massage was developed to help relieve the daily build up of stress in the body. The Swedish massage technique can alleviate pain, aches and soreness. Swedish massage is considered one the most basic massage styles and helps to alleviate and remove the tension, anxiety and pain on a periodic basis to improve well being.

Swedish massage uses 6 elements which are effleurage, petrissage, friction, tapottement, traction and vibration. Effleurage uses long sweeping strokes covering many parts of the body. Petrissage uses kneading and squeezing of the muscles. Friction or heat helps muscles relax and helps blood flow. Tapottement is the use of a tapping or chopping motion to loosen muscles. Traction is the pulling and stretching of the arms and legs. Vibration is used to shake and loosen muscles to relieve tension and stimulate the capillary vessels.

These 6 techniques have been integrated into the best massage chair recliners on the market today. These massage recliners uses different mechanical components to accomplish these massage techniques. Effleurage is performed by rollers in the chair back and covers the neck, shoulders and back. Petrissage is performed by the rollers moving toward each other in a pinching or kneading movement. Friction is accomplished by adding heating elements in the chair to warm up areas of the body. Tapottement is performed by the rollers doing a rhythmic tapping action. Traction is used in the lower body by mechanically raising and then lowering the footrest to stretch the lower body out. Vibration is performed by the placement of vibrating motors in strategic locations in the chair.

Check out Panasonic and Omega Massage because their massage chairs have advanced the Swedish massage technique the most. The Omega Montage Elite and the Omega Montage Premier massage chair both offer all 6 elements of Swedish massage. Omega has integrated full body heat into both of these chairs. Panasonic with the Real Pro Elite does not offer heat, so it is lacking one element of Swedish massage. Not all chairs offer the Swedish massage elements. A great place to start is with the Real Pro Elite by Panasonic or the Omega Montage Premier massage chair.

Swedish massage has come along way from the days of Henrik Ling. Mr. Ling would be amazed that the techniques he pioneered have been engineered into the robotic massage chairs of today. Many of the same benefits provided by his pioneering efforts can be found in these mechanical masseuses. However, Mr. Ling found the real benefits of Swedish massage when it was performed on a routine basis. Sporadic visits to the Spa are not as effective as periodic application. If you are looking for Swedish massage techniques, a massage chair recliner is an excellent way to perform on a routine basis.

Popularity: 2% [?]