SWEDISH MASSAGE COMPLETE COURSE
Considerations in Applying Massage Strokes Generally, the application of any massage stroke involves six elements or considerations: depth, speed, rhythm, duration, direction, and frequency. Beginning massage therapists will have to consciously work at incorporating these considerations into their massage.With practice and experience,however,these considerations will become second nature,and the mechanical feeling will evolve into one of fluidity.
Depth or depth of pressure is the amount of force a stroke applies to the tissue.Regardless of what implement is used (thumb, heel of hand, or forearm), the amount of force you apply to the tissue depends on the desired result. If the stroke is performed with the intent of spreading lubricant, the depth of pressure will be less penetrating than if the intent is to reach deep into the tissue and break up adhesion's. Depth of pressure should be increased gradually and with great care. Imagine a friend giving you a “high five”as opposed to a punch in the arm.The “high five”is a warm gesture that is amicably received, whereas the punch is startling. With the punch, the body flinches, recoils, or withdraws in an attempt to protect itself. Muscles react in the same manner; they contract to guard themselves. Muscle contraction produces a protective mode that is counterproductive to effective work on the muscle. Depth of pressure also depends on the client’s tolerance.What is deep pressure to one client may not be deep to another.You should periodically ask your client about the pressure.Always watch for signs of discomfort,such as the client making a fist,holding the breath,or tightening facial muscles.Clients do not often verbalize pain;they believe that you,as the trained professional,know what is best.Finally,depth of pressure may change from one area of-the body to another with the same client.Many people can take a good deal of pressure on their back but very little pressure on their legs,for example.
Speed of the stroke is how fast or slow a stroke is performed.Depending on the desired response—relaxation or invigoration—any stroke may be applied slowly or quickly.For example,compression applied with slow,rhythmic presses flushes lactic acid out of a muscle,while compression done quickly pumps fresh blood into the muscle and prepares it for action.In general,slow strokes soothe while fast strokes “wake up.”
Rhythm is the regularity or constancy with which a stroke is applied.As with speed, rhythm can be slow or fast,depending on the desired result.Rhythm can speak to the overall tone of the massage;therapists must refrain from working in a herky-jerky fashion.
Duration is twofold; it can be the length of time each stroke lasts during its application or the length of time the stroke remains on any given body part.Again,if the desired result is relaxation, a slower and longer stroke is used. Longer, here, refers to the amount of tissue traversed, for example, the entire leg from foot to top of thigh. Second, the amount of time spent on any given area, such as the entire time spent on the leg,denotes duration.
Direction is the path or track of the stroke.On the extremities,the direction is centripetally or toward the heart.(Blood flows to the heart through veins,which have one way valves. Pressure on these valves must be exerted in one direction only; hence, application of any massage stroke pushing blood through these valves must be toward the heart.) For example,effleuraging up the leg is applying effleurage from the foot,over the lower leg,and over the upper leg to the upper thigh (toward the heart)
Frequency is the number of times each stroke is performed.In general,the rule of three’s applies: each stroke is performed three times before transitioning to another stroke or area of the body.To spread lubricant,for example,effleurage is applied three times,followed by transitioning to another stroke such as petrissage.
The Strokes
Definition
Effleurage is considered a warming and gliding stroke and is used in many different ways.
Effleurage is used to spread lubricant, to warm up the tissues to prepare them for deeper work,to transition to other strokes or other areas of the body,and to serve as a finishing stroke.Additionally,effleurage can be used during palpation to subtly identify muscles and tendons.In this manner,you palpate with finesse rather than poking or prodding.
Application Effleurage is applied with a flat hand,using the full palmar and finger surface,in a gliding manner.As the hands glide over the body,they fully follow the contours of the body, remaining in constant contact throughout the stroke. Any stroke that glides over the body—whether it is done with the hands,fingers,thumbs,forearms,or any other body part—is considered an effleurage stroke.
Considerations The depth of an effleurage stroke can be light, moderate, or deep.As the stroke is first applied and lubricant is spread, the depth is fairly light, graduating to more moderate or deeper pressure as the tissue warms and the massage progresses. The speed with which this stroke is applied depends on the intent (i.e.,slow to soothe and relax or fast to wake up the muscles).Effleurage is most often performed with constancy lasting an even amount of time.As a general rule,effleurage at least three times at the beginning, in between,and at the end of other strokes or parts of the body (to make sure the lubricant is adequately spread,the tissues are warmed,and to provide a finishing stroke).On the extremities,the direction is always toward the heart—centripetally—or with venous (blood) flow.On the torso or the back,the direction is not restricted to moving toward the heart.
Physiological Effect Effleurage has the effect of calming down any nerves that may have become irritated. Firmly applied effleurage accelerates blood and lymph flow, and improves tissue drainage,which in turn reduces recent swelling.Rapid strokes,however,have the opposite effect; muscle tone is increased and tissue is stimulated.
Petrissage
meaning “to knead”; petrissage is also referred to as “milking” or “wringing”
This stroke is perhaps the hardest stroke for new students to master since it involves the use of the C part of the hand (between the thumb and first finger, or the “webbing”) as the primary pressure point. Petrissage almost always follows effleurage to further warm the muscle tissue.It can be applied with two hands or one,and is done toward the heart on the extremities.
Application The C of the hand is used to push down into the muscle, grasp the muscle, pull it directly up off the bone, and release the tissue in a somewhat backward half-circle motion. In two-handed petrissage, both hands alternate in performing the same motion. The movement is helped with proper body mechanics; bending your left knee helps your left hand to drive down into the muscle, and bending your right knee helps your right hand.
Considerations By its very nature, the depth of pressure of the petrissage stroke is somewhat deeper than that of other strokes.The speed and duration with which the stroke is performed depend on intent (the desired result being waking up the tissue).In two-handed petrissage, the rhythm is usually consistent between the two hands. Again, the direction on the extremities is always toward the heart. The frequency depends on the surface area covered (generally, it is performed more times on larger muscle groups such as the quadriceps or thigh muscles).
Physiological Effects Kneading promotes the flow of tissue fluids and encourages increased blood flow by vasodilation. These effects help reduce swelling and resolve inflammation. Rigorous or deep kneading decreases muscle spasms by resetting the muscle spindles and allowing for lengthening of tissues shortened by injury.
Definition
Friction comes from the Latin word frictio, meaning “to rub”; friction often follows petrissage. Friction is the best stroke to breakup adhesions (or muscle spasms) since it sinks deep into the muscle tissue and works to break apart and realign muscle fiber
Application Friction can be done with the thumbs (most common), the heel of hands, and the elbows. This stroke is applied in a parallel (in the direction of the fibers) or cross-fiber (across the direction of—or perpendicular to—the fibers) direction, or circular motion.It is performed with little or no lubricant.
Considerations Unlike effleurage, the success of friction depends on not gliding over tissue; therefore, depth is important and movement is isolated to the underlying muscle and tendon fibers. As mentioned earlier,friction can be applied in three ways: (1) parallel,(2) cross-fiber, or (3)in a circular motion.The rhythm is constant,the speed is slow,and the duration is kept to a minimum as the stroke is intense.The frequency with which this stroke is used depends on your client’s needs;suffice it to say,however,that you would not want to do a deep frictioning massage on the entire body!
Physiological Effects Friction is aimed directly at the site of injury to mobilize muscle;separate adhesions in muscle, tendon, or scar tissue; and restore fibers to a more normal alignment for freer movement.
Definition
Tapotement
Tapotement is a percussion stroke with the blow being immediately pulled off the muscle as soon as the hand strikes the tissue.There are six types of tapotements: hacking/quacking,beating,cupping,slapping,tapping,and pincement (pinching).
Application Hacking/quacking are performed using the ulnar side (little finger side) of the hand in alternating blows with the wrists kept loose.Beating is performed with the ulnar side of the hand and loose fists.Cupping is performed with the palmar side of the hand in concave position.Slapping is performed with the palmar side of the with usually more finger surface than palm.Tapping and pincement are both performed using the fingertips.
Considerations Depending on which of the six tapotements is used and where, the six considerations of application will vary. Tapotements are not performed over the kidneys or bony surfaces.
Physiological Effects The many variations of tapotement are stimulating initially but can become sedating with prolonged use. In this case, tapotements promote relaxation, desensitize irritated nerve endings,and break up congestion in the lung.
Definition
Vibration comes from the Latin term for “shaker”;vibration is a stroke that ranges from quick shaking to rhythmic rocking. It is an excellent stroke to both wake up tissue and encourage a client to “let go”of a limb that is unconsciously held in partial contraction.
Application Performed with two hands enveloping the muscle and quickly oscillating back and forth,vibration is a preparatory stroke that increases circulation to get the muscle ready for sports competition. Both fingertips and hands can be used to apply continuous movement.
Considerations Vibration can be done lightly or vigorously for varying lengths of time. As with the other strokes,use and application depend on the client’s needs.
Physiological Effects Vibration decreases hypertonicity in muscles by interrupting or distracting the receptors in the surrounding tissue or joint.It also stimulates nerve fibers and facilitates neuromuscular reeducation or rehabilitation techniques.
LEARN FROM PRACTICALS IN VIDEOS
HEAD AND FACE MASSAGE
CHEST AND NECK MASSAGE
THE ARMS MASSAGE
THE ABDOMENS MASSAGE
THE GLUTEAL MASSAGE
FRONT LEG MASSAGE
BACK AND LEGS MASSAGE
THE FEET MASSAGE
