Swedish massage is the most widely known modality. The technique includes long strokes (effleurage), kneading movements (pettrissage), friction both superficial and deep, vibration and percussion. Oils, lotions and lubricants are usually applied. This technique is often used in combination with other techniques.

Individuals in all walks of life can enjoy the benefits of massage/bodywork. If you are a stressed-out executive, a student, a laborer, a stay-at-home mom, or an ill and homebound person, massage/bodywork may be an option to aid you on the road to recovery, well-being or maintaining your level of health. Massage/bodywork can help release muscular tension and pain, reduce mental and physical fatigue, reduce stress, and promote faster healing.

Experts say that massage can be effective in relieving tension during pregnancy, helping to prepare for labor and making the postpartum period less difficult. Certain massage movements also may be unwise at different stages of pregnancy.

In the course of a massage, the therapist will probably find areas of tenderness or pain. The level of pain will depend entirely on the therapist's techniques. Receiving massage strokes in tender areas often creates a very satisfying sensation of "good pain." If, however, a client has to hold their breath, furrow their brow, or tense their body to endure the pain, they need to ask the therapist to decrease the pressure or try a different technique. Severe pain triggers the release of stress hormones into the bloodstream, which is hardly the goal of massage therapy.

You are asked to undress to whatever point you are comfortable. This means you may remain fully clothed, you may undress completely, or anything in between. The massage therapist leaves the room and gives you sufficient time to undress. You get onto the table under a sheet or towel or some such covering. During the massage, only the part of your body currently being worked on is uncovered. Those parts of your body generally considered private are not uncovered or worked on. If you have any particular preferences about parts of your body to be exposed and worked on or not exposed and not worked on, you should discuss this with the massage therapist before the session. In the case of pain relief work, the matter of undressing and covering will depend primarily on two factors: what and where the problem is and what approach, modalities and techniques the particular therapist uses. The therapist will generally let you know where and how he or she intends to work on you, and ask you to undress to whatever degree is necessary for effective work to take place.