Basic Massage Techniques

By: Rachael "BluLotus" Bynum, LMT

Massage therapy is manual manipulation of soft body tissues (muscle, connective tissue, tendons and ligaments) to enhance a person's health and well-being. There are dozens of methods, or modalities, of massage.
In the U.S,one of the most common styles of massage therapy is Swedish massage. It lays the foundation for other massages such as deep tissue, prenatal, sports massage, etc.. It was reportedly pioneered in 1812 by the Swedish physiologist Peter Henry Ling and was introduced to the U.S. in 1858. It initially started as four basic strokes (effleurage, petrissage, tapotement and friction) with vibration becoming the fifth stroke made years later. Strokes are performed directly on the client's skin using massage oil, lotion or cream. During a professional massage session, the client undresses to their comfort level underneath a sheet or and the therapist only uncovers the area he or she is working on at the time.

Swedish massage is relaxing and therapeutic.It increases oxygen, blood and lymphatic flow to the body's tissues. With stress being a major factor in many people's lives, massage is a way to help activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which causes the body and systems to relax. It releases Oxytocin, the feel-good hormone along to cortisol affects to decrease stress and ease to mind.  It also flushes the body of toxins and it feels great! When giving a massage, make sure you are in a relaxed state of mind because massage plays a part in transferrance of energies between the practitioner and the receiver. After the massage is over, make sure you release the energy fields that you may have encountered as the practitioner so you are not taking on any physical ailments. Protect your energetic field.

Below are the 5 basic massage techniques that you can use at home for a loved one.

The 5 basic strokes

• Effleurage is the most superficial stroke in Swedish massage. It is a long gliding stroke and is most commonly used as the opening stroke in massage to apply the lubricant and assess the body's tissue while warming the muscles and skin. It deeply soothes and relaxes the mind and body by stimulating the nervous system, connects you to the receiver and is also used to close the massage. It can be applied to all areas of the body with open palms, soft fists or forearms using varied pressure and speed.
• Petrissage is distinguished by kneading, squeezing, lifting, rolling and compression of the skin and musculature. The actions of this stroke release muscle tension and stretch the tendons providing major relief from New York pain and stress. This stroke usually follows effleurage in a basic massage sequence to further increase blood flow and warm the muscles in preparation for deeper work if necessary.
• Friction is typically used in deep tissue work and consists of small, deep back-and-forth movements over a local area of muscle applied by the therapist's fingers, thumbs or elbows with little to no lubricant. It is used to break up adhesions and 'knots' in a typical deep tissue massage and should be applied only after effleurage and petrissage have been applied to warm the skin and muscles, preventing injury.
• Tapotement is perhaps the most popular stroke associated with Swedish massage and is characterized by fast tapping, drumming, patting or hacking of the clients body with the therapist's hands, soft fists or finger tips. Commonly used in sports and medical massage, its stimulating effects affect the nervous system, circulatory system and musculoskeletal system, stimulating weak muscles and loosening tight ones depending on the length of application. Tapotement has also been shown to break up mucus congestion when applied over the chest and back by a trained therapist.
• Vibration or shaking tends to imitate the pulsing sensations produced by electric or battery-operated massage devices. The therapist creates a trembling or vibrating movement from their tensed hands and fingers when applied to small areas or jostles or shakes larger areas of the body such as an arm or leg using both hands.