Swedish massage is the most common and best-known type of massage in the West, and the foundation for sports massage, deep tissue massage, aromatherapy massage, and other popular Western-style massages.

Based on the Western concepts of anatomy and physiology—as opposed to energy work on "meridians" or “sen lines” that are the focus in Asian massage systems—therapists utilise this type of massage to stimulate circulation, flush the circulatory system, release tight muscles, restore range of motion, and to relieve pain.

If it's your first time at the spa or you don't get a massage often, a Swedish massage is a good fit for beginners. Most people get a 45- or 50-minute Swedish, but 75 or 90 minutes will give the therapist more time to work the muscle tissue and achieve results. A Swedish massage can be slow and gentle, or vigorous and bracing, depending on the therapist's personal style and what he or she is trying to achieve.

If you want deeper work and can tolerate more pressure to get relief from chronic muscle pain, it's better to ask for a deep tissue massage, from your Swedish massage therapisT. If you have pain, it will likely take a series of massages to get results. Swedish massage and other types of therapeutic massage must only be performed by trained, licensed massage therapists.