| There are various massage techniques
to address different problems of the anatomy and help you
de-stress. A registered massage therapist can be
most trusted to render the massage with the knowledge and
expertise of various techniques. But how do you
differentiate between the various techniques that exist, you
may ask? The answer lies in how you give a massage- the
differing hand strokes used on the body and the varying
pressure applied in each stroke distinguishes one technique
of massage therapy from another. Interesting?
Here is a little touch of history that will help us
understand better the strokes and pressure that make a
massage technique: In the 19th century, the many
different strokes of massage and their unique physical and
psychological benefits were rationalized by Swedish
Professor Henry Ling. Ling’s classical strokes define
massage as a combination of three movements: Effleurage,
Petrissage and Kneading, and Percussion.
Massage technique today entails a
combination of Effleurage, Petrissage and Kneading,
Percussion, Friction and Vibration. A brief description of
these strokes gives us an insight to what a registered
massage therapist would be certainly
equipped with to give a massage:
Strokes-
- Effleurage (stroking): Soothing, long,
gliding strokes made with the entire flat surface of the
hands that may be deep or superficial. The major purpose
of this movement is to heighten circulation and increase
depth of relaxation.
- Petrissage (kneading): Firmly but gently
grasping the skin and surface muscles with thumb and
fingers, and rolling, squeezing, or wringing them, and
dropping them back into place. It allows detailed work
on the body. Petrissage is recommended on children and
older adults.
- Percussion: Stimulating, rapid alternate
movements using both hands in: 1. tapping - using
fingertips; 2. hacking –using chop movements with
stretched fingers; 3. cupping - using cupped hand
movements; 4. Slapping - using flat, open palms; or 5.
pounding - using both fists;6. Tapotement- the lightest
percussion-using drumming movements with fingertips .It
is stimulating to the muscles and may be stimulating or
calming to the nerves.
- Friction: May be long, slow, firm stroking
movements or rolling circular movement in which the hand
is kept in contact with the skin and the superficial
tissues are moved over the deeper underlying ones. Used
in treatment of joints and around bony prominences to
break down adhesions, clear out congestion and toxic
waste build-up. It raises local temperature and should
be followed by effleurage.
- Vibration: Very rapid back and forth
shaking or trembling movements performed by the whole
hand or the fingers; used on the upper back, buttocks
and thighs. Has a stimulating effect upon the nervous
system by acting on the nerve centers or terminal nerve
branches.
Pressure - can vary from light to
moderate to heavy depending on the type of massage and the
objective of the massage. |
