Swedish Massage – Foundation Course

Lesson 1 • Introduction to Anatomy for Massage

Reviews musculoskeletal and integumentary structures relevant to Swedish massage. Builds the anatomical vocabulary used throughout the course.

Lesson 2 • Professional Standards and Scope of Practice

Outlines ethical conduct, licensing requirements, and scope boundaries. Prepares students to practice within professional and regulatory frameworks.

Lesson 3 • History and Development of Swedish Massage

Traces Swedish massage from Per Henrik Ling's system to modern practice. Provides context for why techniques are structured as they are today.

Lesson 1 • Informed Consent and Client Rights

Explains the legal and ethical basis of informed consent in massage practice. Students practice obtaining and documenting consent correctly.

Lesson 2 • Identifying Contraindications

Distinguishes absolute from local contraindications and guides decision-making. Students learn to recognise conditions requiring medical clearance.

Lesson 3 • Health History Forms and Documentation

Covers design and use of intake forms to capture relevant medical history. Accurate documentation protects both client and practitioner.

Lesson 4 • Client Communication and Goal Setting

Builds skills for pre-session interviews and collaborative goal setting. Effective communication improves outcomes and client retention.

Lesson 1 • Draping Techniques and Client Modesty

Teaches secure, professional draping methods that maintain client modesty throughout the session. Correct draping is both an ethical and practical skill.

Lesson 2 • Lubricant Selection and Application

Compares oils, lotions, and creams for different skin types and stroke requirements. Correct lubricant use enhances glide and client comfort.

Lesson 3 • Practitioner Posture and Stance

Introduces the horse stance, lunge stance, and weight transfer principles. Correct posture reduces fatigue and extends career longevity.

Lesson 4 • Treatment Room Setup and Hygiene

Covers table height, linens, lighting, and sanitation protocols for a professional environment. Proper setup directly affects client comfort and safety.

Lesson 1 • Effleurage on the Back

Applies effleurage to the posterior trunk using bilateral and unilateral patterns. The back is the primary practice surface for developing stroke consistency.

Lesson 2 • Rhythm, Speed, and Pressure Variation

Trains students to modulate tempo and depth to match client needs and session goals. Rhythm control is the hallmark of a skilled effleurage practitioner.

Lesson 3 • Mechanics of Effleurage

Breaks down hand position, pressure gradient, and stroke direction for effleurage. Mastery here underpins every subsequent stroke category.

Lesson 4 • Effleurage on the Neck and Scalp

Covers gentle effleurage for the cervical region and scalp with appropriate pressure limits. Neck work requires heightened awareness of vascular structures.

Lesson 1 • Principles of Petrissage

Explains the mechanical and physiological basis of compression and lifting strokes. Understanding tissue response guides appropriate petrissage selection.

Lesson 2 • Petrissage on Specific Body Regions

Applies petrissage sequences to the back, legs, arms, and shoulders in a structured order. Region-specific adaptations reinforce versatile clinical application.

Lesson 3 • Two-Handed Kneading Techniques

Develops alternating two-handed kneading on large muscle groups. Consistent rhythm and equal bilateral pressure are the primary skill targets.

Lesson 1 • Tapotement Stroke Variations

Teaches hacking, cupping, tapping, and beating as stimulating percussion strokes. Tapotement is used selectively based on client goals and tissue type.

Lesson 2 • Vibration and Shaking Techniques

Develops fine vibration and coarse shaking to release neuromuscular tension. These strokes require sustained muscular control from the practitioner.

Lesson 3 • Integrating All Five Stroke Types

Guides students in combining all classical strokes into a coherent regional sequence. Smooth transitions between stroke types define professional-level execution.

Lesson 1 • Posterior Body Sequence

Delivers a structured sequence for the back, gluteals, and posterior legs in prone position. Posterior work forms the longest segment of most Swedish sessions.

Lesson 2 • Transitions and Flow Between Regions

Trains smooth positional transitions and unbroken contact throughout the session. Seamless flow is a key marker of practitioner competence.

Lesson 3 • Anterior Body Sequence

Covers the anterior legs, arms, abdomen, chest, neck, and face in supine position. Anterior work requires heightened sensitivity to client comfort and modesty.

Lesson 4 • Practical Assessment and Peer Review

Students perform a full-body session observed by instructor and peers for structured feedback. Assessment criteria align with professional certification standards.

Lesson 1 • Massage for Older Adults

Addresses age-related tissue changes, fragility, and positioning needs for elderly clients. Modifications protect against bruising, joint stress, and discomfort.

Lesson 2 • Post-Surgical and Injury Recovery Clients

Guides adaptation of Swedish massage for clients in rehabilitation phases after surgery or injury. Collaboration with healthcare providers is emphasised throughout.

Lesson 3 • Working with Clients in Chronic Pain

Introduces pain science principles and communication strategies for chronic pain clients. Technique selection shifts toward gentle, neurologically informed approaches.

Lesson 4 • Prenatal Massage Adaptations

Covers trimester-specific positioning, contraindicated areas, and pressure guidelines for pregnant clients. Safety for both mother and foetus is the primary concern.