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.
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