In Sweden, "Swedish massage" is simply known as "classic massage" and that is exactly what it is – a classic treatment which represents the Western standard for massage.
Swedish massage has been portrayed on TV in the past as a very hard massage performed by some sadistic therapist in a medical-style uniform, but this is just TV...
Actually, the five main techniques used in Swedish massage – stroking and gliding (effleurage), kneading (petrissage), rubbing (friction), rhythmic tapping (tapotment) and vibration – are probably what spring to mind when you think about a "typical" massage. They're designed to improve your circulation, soothe your muscles and make you more relaxed. The development of Swedish massage is credited to Per Henrik Ling, although the Dutch practitioner Johan Georg Mezger adopted the French names to denote the basic strokes.
Swedish massage uses softer strokes on the bonier and more delicate parts of the body, and stronger strokes where there is thicker muscle coverage. This sensitivity to pressure makes it ideal for relaxation.
Besides the calming benefits, Swedish massage is thought to be good for:
Swedish massage has also been shown to be helpful in reducing pain, joint stiffness and in improving function in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee over a period of eight weeks.
More information about different massage techniques including Swedish massage can be found on Wikipedia.