Classical Massage Movements

Effleurage

Effleurage is used at the start and finish of a massage session and as the first contact between therapist and client, it helps to prepare the body for massage, introducing the therapists touch while spreading the massage medium, warming the skin and relaxing the client. It is generally a gentle sweeping stroke with varying levels of pressure and prepares the body for the deeper work which follows. It improves circulation and more invigorating effleurage can assist the elimination of toxins, help desquamation which in turn helps skin regeneration. It should also be used at the start and finish of each body part to keep the connection of therapist and client. Effleurage on the limbs with the pressure working towards the heart assists the return of blood to the heart and aids lymph drainage.

Long slow effleurage movements trigger the parasympathetic nervous system and so provide systemic muscle relaxation. Calming, soothing comforting.

Petrissage

Petrissage uses a number of kneading and rubbing movements to manipulate tissues and muscles. The movements utilise thumbs, fingers and sometimes the whole hand. It usually follows effleurage and is used to break down tightness and tension in the muscles. It should not be used on bony or delicate areas. Kneading has a deep effect and can be used on many parts of the body. The hands move in circular squeezing actions so the fingers move inward towards the thumb. Wringing is when the body part is squeezed firmly between the heel of one hand and the fingers of the other. This action is repeated from one end of the body part to the other and returned. Lifting/Picking Up is grasping the muscle with a squeezing action and lifting away from the bones. Shampooing: fingers and thumbs are held in a claw like position and placed onto the upper back/shoulder area with considerable pressure. Fingers and thumbs are moved in small circles progressing over the entire upper back.

Helps in the elimination of waste products from deep tissues. Assists in the breakdown of fats, improves the metabolism and the interchange of fluids.

Frictions

Friction techniques are all variations of rubbing and they work by pressing tissue against bone, done with the fingertips or thumbs in a circular or crossways direction. Frictions are used to treat specific lesions and apply pressure across rather than along the muscle fibres. Frictions separate rather than stretch the fibres and so help to break down adhesions. Frictions improve circulation and promote lymph drainage. Used for focusing on a particular problem area.

Squeezes waste products from muscular tissue. Breaks down adhesions. Is very satisfying.

Percussion

Percussion techniques are brisk, invigorating and stimulating strokes where the hands strike the body rapidly and suddenly. Hacking is achieved by striking the body with alternate edges of the hands. The hands and wrists should be relaxed to avoid causing pain and should keep the rhythm light and bouncy. Improves the tone of muscular tissue and can be very refreshing. Cupping is similar in rhythm to hacking except that the hands are in a cupped position. The strike with the hands in this position creates a vacuum and creates a hyperaemia which is very good for the skin. Pounding is again striking the body with alternate hands, this time clenched into fists. It is also stimulating and invigorating and provides a tonic. Beating is similar to pounding but with contact being made with the medial phalanges. Stimulating and invigorating. Tapotement is a very gentle form of percussion using just the fingertips on sensitive areas such as the face. Soothing.

Vibrations can be either manual or mechanical. The aim is to make the muscle tremble and shake in order to loosen tightness and release tension. It can be very soothing or stimulating.


Passive Movements are induced by moving the joints either by flexion, extension or stretching. They help to improve the movement of the joints by increasing flexibility. They also increase the production of synovial fluid and reduce its viscosity improving joint lubrication.


All pressure or squeezing movements assist muscle pump action by squeezing veins and lymphatic vessels.


Slower massage movements are generally relaxing to the muscles, are analgesic and relieve muscular tension.


Faster and brisker movements are more stimulating and tonic.