My Journey – Swedish Massage

By Nicola | 14/02/2017 |

How I chose Swedish Massage?

My Journey to choosing Swedish Massage started in 2006. I’d been working in the financial sector for 6 years and decided I needed a complete change. I started assessing what I required from a career which was helping people, flexible working hours and a job satisfaction. Remembering that I had previously wanted to be a physiotherapist and found reflexology fascinating I started to explore the options.

I decided that I did not want the commitment involved in becoming a physiotherapist, so I explored massage and reflexology. Over many evenings I researched what qualifications I needed to become a Reflexologist and a member of the Association of Reflexologists. I visited college websites and campuses, exploring the courses available and entry requirements. The entry level qualifications onto Reflexology courses were GCSE’s and Anatomy and Physiology. I started researching colleges offering courses in Anatomy and Physiology and discovered it would be more cost effective if combined with Swedish Massage.

After much deliberating about massage courses and whether to enrol I realised that massage was the right route for me. In September 2006 I started a 35 week evening course in VTCT level 3 in Swedish Massage, Anatomy and Physiology and health, safety, security and employment standards.

While attending the course I realised that I loved learning about the body systems and all the technique’s in massage. Every week we did an hour of theory and hour of practical work including the consultation process. This meant I received weekly massages while learning. Once we had learnt the whole massage routine we could start experiencing the salon experience of paying clients.

Once Qualified

I passed the course in July 2007 and received my certificates than gained public liability insurance. First of all I started to practice on friends and family but continued to work full time. Meanwhile I was looking out for my next course and choose a weekend Spa Manicure and Spa Pedicure course. In late 2007 my business dream was temporary put on hold as we moved house and I had a promotion at work.

Later in my journey I attended courses in Hot Stone Massage, Indian Head Massage, Advanced Massage Techniques and Acupressure Chair Massage. The techniques learnt on all these courses are now used in my massage routine.

What is Swedish massage?

Swedish Massage is a relaxing massage of the back, arms, and legs. The massage is a routine of relaxing and vibrating movements. After a full consultation the treatment is tailored to your requirements. There is a choice of massage mediums of talcum powder or blended oils. At times massage treatments can not take place due to medical conditions or general health, therefore speak to a therapist first.

Benefits of Swedish Massage

There are a number of benefits to Massage as it can help relive fatigue and tension in the muscles, helps to release toxins from your body, induces relaxation and promotes a sense of well-being.

Aftercare Advice

After every massage you should rest and relax to help with relieving the stress. Drink plenty of water and avoid eating and drinking stimulates like tea, coffee and alcohol which help with detoxing the body.

Massage affects everybody differently so if after a massage your don’t think something right always check with your therapist or doctor.