Swedish Massage
The most common Western massage modality using five core techniques.
Swedish massage is the foundational Western massage modality, developed in the 19th century. It uses five core techniques: effleurage (gliding), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (tapping), friction (circular pressure), and vibration. Swedish massage is typically performed with oil, focuses on relaxation and improved circulation, and is often recommended as an introduction to professional bodywork.