The following was an assignment given to me while I was attending massage school in 2007. We were told to write a 1 page paper regarding the basic explanation of Swedish Massage. Per Henrik Ling (1776-1839), also known as the Father of Swedish massage, founded the Royal Central Institute of Gymnastics in Stockholm, Sweden. Physicians from Austria, England, Germany, and Russia went there for training. By 1839, Ling had achieved worldwide recognition. George and Charles Taylor wrote the first textbook on massage, introducing Swedish massage to America in 1886. It wasn’t until the 1990’s that massage was accepted more by the medical profession in the US. The setting for a Swedish massage is one that is relaxing, comfortable, and safe for both the client and therapist. The massage is given on a table with a full set of sheets, blankets, and pillows for support. The client disrobes to their own comfort level, before lying down on the table. Proper draping techniques...