Want to de-stress and detoxify yourself after a long week of tension, panic and chaos? Why not try a massage to ease that nagging back pain or that perpetual crick in your neck?

One of the most common Western form of massage must be the Swedish or full body massage. In this treatment, not only is special attention focused on your back, legs, arms and neck, it will also tackle your stiff shoulders, your bulging stomach and your ticklish feet.

The Swedish massage was developed by Pen Henrik Ling in Sweden in the 1830's. It employs light to medium pressure and aims to hasten the return of blood from the extremities back to the heart. It is designed in such a way that muscles relax by applying pressure to them against deeper muscle and bones while simultaneously rubbing in the same direction as blood flow back to your blood pump.

To professionals, the Swedish massage is a system of long, gliding strokes, kneading and creating friction on the uppermost layer of the muscles. It is a vigorous activity developed to bring energy back to the body through the newly stimulated circulation.

There are five basic strokes in a full body massage, all of which flows towards the heart. In this treatment, blood flows back to the heart not through venous pressure but by the action of the muscles. The soft tissues are manipulated to aid this flow and to reduce the pressure in the veins. As it is, it produces a good circulation without increasing the work the heart has to do. This prevents overworking your heart and slims down the chance of contracting any disease connected to it.

Since this is a full body massage, patients are usually requested to lie on the massage table, devoid of clothing. Not to worry though, since most of the body is draped with a towel or a blanket. The masseuse only bares the parts to be massaged and works on them in a manner that will not threaten the client's privacy.

Why are so many people into this? Well the answer lies in the numerous benefits you'd gain from this full body massage. It induces general relaxation of the body, relieving stiff muscles and joints. It also soothes away pains especially on the back and neck areas. It stretches the ligaments, keeping them pliant and supple. Plus, it improves muscle tone and retains smooth, soft skin over the whole body. Ooh la la!

Amongst other things, full body massages is said to help remove metabolic waste products in the body. Since circulation is stimulated, the removal of toxins from the cells, as well as the lactic and uric acid, is accelerated. Another is that a massage gently stimulates the weak and infrequently used muscles of the body, toning them in a way that exercise can't.

And not only that, the rhythm and pacing of movements lull the client into a more relaxed state, allowing emotions to be sorted out and stress to be relieved. A calm mind and clear thoughts surfaces allowing for more responsible decision making and analysis.

And lastly, a full body massage along with some nice music and natural ambience makes for a sense of well being and reduced anxiety. It creates a connection between the body and mind, an awareness of the body's physical state and kindles energy from all levels.