Basic Swedish Back Massage Techniques – Relaxing Step by Step Guide

Best for

A quiet evening wind-down, or anyone curious how a classic Swedish back routine is put together from start to finish, at a gentle, unhurried pace.

What you'll learn

• How the session begins, with preparation and a consultation before any strokes
• How massage oil is applied to the back
• The classic strokes: effleurage, petrissage, and ringing and rolling movements
• How the figure-eight technique fits into the routine
• How the massage is brought to a close, followed by aftercare advice from presenter Katie Miles

Key moments

• 0:00 – Preparation and consultation
• 3:06 – Effleurage technique
• 4:27 – Petrissage movements
• 11:27 – Figure eight technique

Not ideal for

Anyone after a very short clip, as this full walkthrough runs just under 20 minutes.

This video is for relaxation and education, not medical advice. Stop if anything feels painful, and check with a professional if you have an injury or health condition.

Video by Vivid Photo Visual on YouTube.

Before you press play

Set up a comfortable surface, warm lotion in your hands and keep the room calm and quiet. Follow the strokes in order and keep your pace slow and even. If you want a shorter refresher on the same strokes, try our Swedish back massage basics video, or read our beginner guide on how to give a relaxing back massage at home.