Basic Techniques of Swedish Massage. Traditional Swedish Massage uses five main strokes, and many variations, to achieve its relaxing and healing effects.
Many therapists use a variety of techniques.
Effleurage consists of long, gliding strokes from the neck down to the base of the spine or from the shoulder down to the fingertips. When done on the limbs, all strokes are toward the heart to aid blood and lymphatic flow. It is done with the whole hand or the thumb pads. Effleurage is designed to acquaint the therapist with his or her subject's body and vice versa. Petrissage involves gently lifting muscles up and away from the bones, then rolling and squeezing them, again with a gentle pressure.