Massage

Many consider massage a forgotten art and it`s easy to see why, if you consider how good it feels after a relaxing massage it begs the question why don’t we do them all the time? Well, a lot of people consider massaging a necessity and regularly have them to relieve stress and tension. By learning some techniques on this page you will hopefully realize that massaging doesn’t have to be a massive inconvenience to you. It need not take an hour to set the perfect tone in the room and it certainly need not take all night to administer the perfect massage.

Techniques 

Effleurage

This is the process of stroking and is generally used to begin a massage, to induct the body and the muscles to the therapist’s hands and temperature. This method is also used to apply any oils which may be involved. It should be performed slowly and rhythmically. When using effleurage on the back the therapist should keep their hands flat and long strokes are made in the direction the blood flows to the heart. When using effleurage on the legs, cupped hands are used to cover a bigger area. In more delicate areas such as the neck, the fingertips will be used.

Petrissage

Petrissage is a French term and translated it means ‘to knead’ and it’s the term given to any action which presses down the body tissue to break up the areas of tension. It is usually applied with the balls of the thumbs or the fingers and is especially beneficial on the neck, shoulders, buttocks and legs – all areas in which tension can accumulate. The rhythmic lifting and squeezing pumps nutrients through the muscles and tissues and pressure on the deeper blood vessels encourages accumulated waste products to be eliminated.

Kneading

Kneading is the most popular technique and without it no massage would be complete. It should not be performed until the body and muscles have been warmed by using the above techniques. There are many different ways to administer this but generally the thumb and fingers are used as if kneading dough. This technique works particularly well on fleshy areas such as hips thighs and buttocks where excess fluid and fat can accumulate. Be careful on areas with a lot of hair as the kneading action might be uncomfortable.

Wringing

This method works best for the large muscles of the thighs and calves. It’s quite an unusual technique as it involves lifting the muscle away from the bone and move it from side to side, literally as if you are wringing it out like a towel. The technique is known for reducing muscle tension and removing any build up of toxins as well as improve tone and elasticity. This technique should not be used over joints such as the knee and it should never be used on children or the elderly or even very thin people.

Cupping and Hacking

The cupping is done by cupping the palms and in a brisk bouncy motion create suction by trapping air in the cupped hands. As the hands are drawn away from the body, blood is drawn to the surface of the skin. Hacking is achieved by using the edges of the hands by keeping the fingers and wrists relaxed. The movements should be quick and rhythmic using alternate hands and the pressure should vary depending on which part of the body is being treated. For example if the buttocks are being treated, more pressure can be applied.