Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Don't Try This At Home

If you've ever associated the term 'Swedish massage' with a state of heightened relaxation and sensual pleasure, prepare to be disabused. These sinister photos from a 1927 book called The Technique, Effects and Uses of Swedish Medical Gynastics and Massage, by Dr J Arvedson, tell a very different story:





It's probably very good for you, but when I have backache, I prefer to rely on the anti-inflammatory properties of a good glass of wine.

7 comments:

lucy joy said...

Looks more like an original way to play 'truth or dare' to me.

Martin said...

I once knew a rugby player (6' 9") who had a wife (5' 3"). The wife, who suffered with her back, swore by the remedial benefits of having her husband lift her and suspend her, so that the full weight of her body stretched her spine. I can't imagine who could have offered the same treatment to the rugby player, though!

Rog said...

"and now Deirdre and Clarissa will enact the prow of the Marie Celeste..."

Canadian Chickadee said...

My grandfather was a 6' 6" Swede. I always wondered why he was so tall, and now I know!! o:)

David said...

That last one look especially scary...

Anonymous said...

Jesus! No thanks, I'll take my chances with the waterboarding...

Little Nell said...

That last one has the potential to go horribly wrong! There wasn't somebody zipped into a sports bag just off camera too was there?