The origins of Swedish Massage are credited to a Swedish physiologist named Per Henrik Ling, who lived from 1776-1839, and was a highly respected master fencer and gymnast. He believed that the therapeutic massage technique that consisted of gliding strokes and gentle touch promoted relaxation and well-being by encouraging circulation in the body and softening of the muscle tissues.

Swedish Massage techniques were first introduced in the United States in the 1850s by two American physicians, George and Charles Taylor, who studied the technique in Europe. The technique was often integrated into existing health practices such as YMCAs and nurse training programs. The turn of the 20th Century marked the professionalization of “masseurs” and “masseuses” and training programs cropped up around the U.S.

One such training program was the College of Swedish Massage which was founded in Chicago in 1906. The President of the school was Mr. R. Hedenvall, a graduate of Northwestern University. The Dean of the College was Esther C. Swanson, who was a graduate masseuse, a Graduate Nurse, a Graduate Physiotherapist, and an Illinois licensed Doctor of Chiropractic. This brochure from the mid 1930s highlights the holistic approach that the training program offered that included cutting-edge therapies of the era, in addition to Swedish Massage.