Altering the effects of your basic massage can be achieved by varying the pressure you apply. In this way, you can relax or soothe tight muscles or encourage greater muscle tone.
Light finger strokes are variations of vibrations and are used to soothe the superficial nerve endings in the skin. Light strokes are the first and final touches to the massage routine and are slow and light in pressure. Because of their light, relaxing nature you can use these moves over the entire body. Two main types of light finger strokes exist:
Feathering consists of long light strokes, done by dragging the pads of the fingeretips of alternating hands in a continuous fashion over an entire area . Keep the wrists flexible and relaxed.
Raking, as the name suggests is done by forming a “rake” with your fingers. Keeping them flexed and slightly apart, rake or stroke the entire area lightly with alternating hands, as in feathering. Keep your nails short to avoid causing any discomfort.
Deep manipulation movements are variations of petrissage. The pressure created by the small area of a finger surface, or parts of the fingers, concentrates compression on a small area. You would use deep manipulation in areas where deposits of lactic acid have formed, to help break them down.
Knuckling is done by clenching the hand slightly into a fist. Using the knuckles, move each hand against the skin in a circular motion, starting with the little finger and following with the others until you reach the index finger. Repeat ove the area several times. This movement can be done on the lower back, the chest and the shoulders and can be stationary or moving.
Finger kneading achieves compression by dragging the skin close to bony areas and has a slight stretching effect. Finger kneading can be used between the ribs, on the back, around the shoulder blades, on the hands and feet and along the spine.
This will probably be the end of our basic massage technique series. We only wrote this series to add value and a basic knowledge of massage and it’s purpose and importance in the relief of tension and it’s healing powers of relaxing a persons body. Massage is only one type of therapy used in aromatherapy. Using the proper essential oil blends in your massages adds further benefit beyond the standard massage technique.
Our future articles will get back on track with the uses, formulas, recipes, and uses for essential oils, the basis for aromatherapy.
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