The Different Techniques Massage Therapists Use
Massage Therapy is an effective treatment modality for those suffering from muscle pain, muscle spasms, muscle stiffness and chronic stress.
Massage therapy is a combination of five movements:
Effleurage
Petrissage and Kneading
Percussion
Friction
Vibration
Effleurage
Effleurage is a stroking movement using the flat surface of the hand. These long, smooth, gliding strokes improve blood circulation and facilitate deep relaxation.
Petrissage
Petrissage involves kneading with the thumb and fingers. The skin and surface muscles are firmly grasped and kneaded with gentle motions. These precise movements are ideal for children and the elderly.
Percussion
Percussion involves using both hands to exact rapid and stimulating movements. There are a number of different techniques used including:
1) Tapping: uses only the fingertips
2) Cupping: stroking with cupped hands
3) Hacking: think karate; open handed chopping
4) Slapping: performed with flat open palms
5) Pounding: Performed with closed fists
6) Tapotement: an advanced technique using the fingertips in drumming movements.
Friction
Friction involves circular rolling movements performed with long, slow, firm strokes. With this technique superficial tissues are moving over deeper tissues. Friction should be followed with effleurage, as the local temperature is increased.
Vibration
Vibration uses the whole hand to make back and forth shaking and trembling movements. This technique is especially helpful for the thighs, buttocks and upper back. Vibration effectively stimulates terminal nerve centers.
Massage therapy techniques have been shown to effectively treat conditions like:
Insomnia
Discomfort caused by pregnancy
Stress
Muscle Spasms
Aches and Pains
Different Types of Massage
Swedish Massage
Swedish massage uses gentle kneading and tapping strokes across the muscles of the body. This relieves muscle tension and loosens sore and stiff joints. Swedish massage makes use of five of the six basic strokes:
Effleurage
Petrissage
Friction
Tapotement
Vibration
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage alleviates tension deep within the muscles of the body. There are actually five layers of muscle in the back, and most massage techniques are only able to reach the top two. Deep tissue massage uses direct pressure, slow strokes and friction movements directed across the grain of the muscles. Deep tissue massage therapists use their fingers, thumbs and elbows to apply heavy, constant pressure to these deep layers of muscle. Deep tissue massage may result in significant soreness, and this is actually a sign that it was an effective treatment. Some clients find this type of massage too painful to endure, and prefer gentler modalities like Swedish massage. Painful as it may be, deep tissue massage can be tremendously therapeutic for those with deep soft tissue problems
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