Basic Massage Techniques

As promised in previous posts before the holiday season, we will now continue to post new articles on basic massage techniques. There are four principal massage strokes that you will use in every massage you perform. It’s up to you to discover how you can use each movement for maximum effect.

The four basic massage groups are as follows:

Effleurage: stroking moves
Petrissage: compression moves
Vibrations: vibrating moves
Tapotment: percussion moves

The massage can either be relaxing or toning and invigorating, depending on the stroke group chosen. For instance a relaxing massage should only include “effleurage” and “petrissage” movements. If you want a massage to stimulate the circulation and tone muscles, then perhaps “tapotment” and “vibration” are the best choices.

Before you begin any massage, hand preparation is very important. Giving a massage can be tiring and leave hands aching, especially before you are accustomed in performing massage treatment. Doing hand excercises is important to warm your hands and maintain flexibility to prevent injury.

Shake your hands vigorously while counting to 30. Pretend to type with all your fingers on a table. Repeat this excercise at least nine times on each hand. Rotate your wrists in and out, repeat for each at least ten times. Using one hand rotate the fingers of the opposite hand in a clockwise and then counter clockwise postion at least three times. Repeat excercise for the other hand.  Press palms together against each other and release, repeating approximately ten times.

Next, you must plan the type massage to use in a particular situation.

Technique #1, Effleurage or stroking movements involves long, soothing, gliding movements. They are used at different stages, both at the start of a massage to apply and spread the oil and warm the muscles, and in between other techniques to link massage movements in a sequence and at the end of a session to reestablish relaxation.

Effleurage can be done with light or firm steady pressure, using as much of the palm of the hand as you can fit on the area of work, gradually increasing the amount of pressure applied. Each stroke should use the palm of the hand in a gliding motion directed towards the heart.

Using light strokes contracted muscle fibers start relaxing, nerve endings are stimulated and blood flow is increased giving a feeling of relaxation. With deeper strokes you can relieve congestion in the veins and capillaries and improve blood circulation. This increases nutrients and oxygen absorption into the soft tissues as well as encouraging the elimination of waste products from the area. Effleurage also helps to keep the skin soft and supple as it has a mild exfoliating effect. Dead skin cells are shed due to the slight friction applied by the hands.

When massaging the arms and legs, the stroke is divided at the joints, for example from the ankle to the knee. Place your hands on the top of the legs and glide with light pressure up to the knee, returning to the ankle. Repeat this excercise stroke at least three to six times.

Study this technique, next article will include instructions on other massage groups and techniques.

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