Swedish Massage was developed by Swedish physiologist Henri Peter Ling at the University of Stockholm in 1812. It uses a firm but gentle pressure to relax muscles by applying pressure to them against deeper muscles and bones. The therapist rubs the muscles in the same direction as the flow of blood returning to the heart.
Swedish massage can shorten recovery time from muscle strain. This is accomplished by flushing lactic acid, uric acid, and other metabolic wastes from the tissues. It can help stretch the ligaments and tendons.
