What is a French Massage?

French Massage is historically described as 'a little more than a caress.' It is a gentle stroking action that primarily affects the upper layers of skin and the nerve receptors associated with it.

There is a type of massage that is more closely related to Swedish massage that attempts to reduce cellulite's "dimpling" of skin by stimulating the flow of blood to the area surrounding the fat deposits which, in turn, breaks down and flushes out the excess fluids and toxic materials from the fat deposits. * *

MThands:

I have studied and now teach massage in the USA. I have never heard of the term "French Massage" as a specific professional modality.

Not to say that it doesn't exist, I am just not familiar with it at all.

I have heard of Swedish Massage which is now more correctly referred to as Contemporary Western Massage (CWM).

Swedish/CWM has it's origins in Sweden and the work of Peter Ling. Later, French terms were promoted by a Dutch physician, Johann Mezger, Words such as masseur/masseuse, effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, etc. Massage therapist is the politically correct/unisex term for masseur (male) and masseuse (female). The term masseuse has sexual connotations in Chicago and the US due to prostitutes using massage as a front for their illegal operations.

Contemporary Western Massage (CWM) is beneficial for (among other things) promoting relaxation, enhancing the immune system, reducing tension and the effects of stress, easing pain, increasing circulation of blood and lymph, removal of metabolic wastes, and enhancing muscular/athletic performance.