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Massages and techniques
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Types of Massage
1. RELAXATION MASSAGE combines perfectly with pleasure. Such a massage is done throughout the body and consists of movements that create a strong feeling of comfort, relaxation and stress release. Also, relaxation massage strengthens blood circulation and has beneficial effects on digestive and nervous system. This form of massage is recommended for a longer period of time because the results will not be visible after a few sessions.
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2. THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE is a more complex relaxation massage which involves massaging the painful areas of your body.
This type of massage has been practiced over time, as well as by non-specialists. But over time, therapeutic massage has grown becoming a real science, a boon to the whole body. Therapeutic massage is used for injuries of any kind. Used regularly, it leads to complete recovery of your health problems. Combined with aromatherapy, bioenergy or reflexology, therapeutic massage is a pleasant and relaxing form of healing.
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3. SWEDISH MASSAGE or classic massage is one of the most common forms of massage that can be practiced in all the professional salons. This is the first form of massage proposed to any patient who comes for the first time in a massage parlor.
SWEDISH MASSAGE uses soothing, tapping and kneading strokes to work the entire body, relieving muscle tension and loosening sore joints. Swedish massage therapists use five basic strokes, which anyone can learn and use on themselves and others. They are effleurage (stroking); petrissage (muscles are lightly grabbed and lifted); friction (thumbs and fingertips work in deep circles into the thickest part of muscles); tapotement (chopping, beating, and tapping strokes); and vibration (fingers are pressed or flattened firmly on a muscle, then the area is shaken rapidly for a few seconds). Swedish massage improves health by relaxing muscles and improving blood circulation.
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4. SHIATSU MASSAGE is equivalent to acupressure and is a massage technique ideal for people who are looking deep state of relaxation. This massage balances the energy of your body by massaging certain special points named energy points.
5. THAI MASSAGE or Thai Yoga Massage is a type of massage that involves stretching and deep massage. It is usually performed on the floor and the client wears comfortable clothes that allow for movement. No oils are used in Thai massage.
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A full Thai massage session typically lasts two hours or more, and includes rhythmic pressing and stretching of the entire body; this may include pulling fingers, toes, ears, cracking the knuckles, walking on the recipient's back, and arching the recipient's into bhujangasana or (cobra position).
Muscle compression, joint mobilization and acupressure are also used during treatment. People describe Thai massage as both relaxing and energizing.
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6. DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE targets chronic tension in muscles that lie far below the surface of your body. You have five layers of muscle in your back, for instance, and while Swedish massage may help the first couple of layers, it won't do much directly for the muscle underneath. Deep muscle techniques usually involve slow strokes, direct pressure or friction movements that go across the grain of the muscles. Massage therapists will use their fingers, thumbs or occasionally even elbows to apply the needed pressure.
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7. NEUROMUSCULAR MASSAGE is a form of deep tissue massage that is applied to individual muscles. It is used to increase blood flow, reduce pain and release pressure on nerves caused by injuries to muscles and other soft tissue. Neuromuscular massage helps release trigger points, intense knots of tense muscle can also "refer" pain to other parts of the body. Relieving a tense trigger point in your back, for example, could help ease pain in your shoulder or reduce headaches.
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8. ROLFING seeks to re-educate your body about posture. When posture is poor, it can be reflected in a number of health problems, such as backaches, headaches and joint pain. Rolfing seeks to realign and straighten your body by working the myofascia, the connective tissue that surrounds your muscles and helps hold your body together.
9. HELLERWORK is an offshoot of Rolfing that adds both mental and movement re-education to the physical work. In a series of 11 sessions, you get instruction on how to break bad posture habits and you also get a massage that focuses on returning your muscles and other tissue to their proper positions.
10. CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY focuses on the skull and spinal column.
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Therapists use very gently pressure no more than the weight of a nickel to massage the bones, membranes and fluids that support and bathe your skull and spinal column. The theory is that these manipulations will reduce tension and counteract any physical trauma you may have experienced to your head over the years.
11. ASTON-PATTERNING, another offshoot of Rolfing, was developed to teach people to maintain the improved alignment that they got through Rolfing. Aston-Patterning uses posture re-education and stresses physical fitness techniques.
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12. FELDENKRAIS treats every body as an individual work of art, withdifferent postures and different movement patterns. Practitioners seek to teach their clients ideal patterns of movement through slow, gentle, exercise-like sessions. It also includes a gentle massage that is designed to teach a person how to expand his range of motion. It's often useful for victims of stroke or accidents who have lost movement.
13. TRAGER uses gentle, rocking massage to help release the body's harmful "holding patterns." If you injured your left shoulder as a child, for example, you still may unconsciously carry it lower than your right shoulder, throwing your body off balance and robbing you of energy.
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Therapists employ very light, gentle shaking techniques that are unlike traditional Swedish-style massage. The idea is to make people more aware of their bodies, especially the way they move and hold themselves. For some reason, freeing people of physical holding patterns also seems to rid them of emotional stress that they associated with the prior injury.
Basic Equipment for Massage
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- Warm, quiet, relaxed environment.
- Massage table or floor mat.
- Massage Oil.
- Towels to lie on and also to cover the body.
- Cushions or pillows.
Massage Benefits
- Relaxes and softens injured and overused muscles
- Reduces spasms and cramping
- Increases joint flexibility
- Restores elasticity and suppleness of the tissues
- Releases endorphins
- Establishes emotional comfort and helps in stress management.
- Improves circulation of blood and the flow of lymph, the body's natural defense system, against toxic invaders
- Increases circulation, allowing the body to pump more oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs.
- Improves the condition of skin.
- Provides exercise and stretching for atrophied muscles and reduces shortening of the muscles for those with restricted range of motion.
Main Techniques in Massage
"Effleurage, Petrissage, Friction, Tapotement & Vibration"
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Traditional Swedish massage uses five main techniques, and many variations, to achieve its relaxing and healing effects.
Effleurage
Effleurage means light friction. It's the main technique for spreading oil. When done on the limbs, all strokes are toward the heart to aid blood and lymphatic flow. Gliding movement in which the hands glide with long even strokes over the body surfaces. Glides are in the direction of the heart which helps push along the flow of blood and lymph. It affects the skin and superficial muscles.
Friction
Friction is a deep form of effleurage. Assists in realigning scar tissue, Relaxes muscles by stimulating Golgi tendon reflex. The motion is circular, applying direct pressure, a fast back and forth movement or slow or deep gliding over muscles. Compression movement performed with the thumb, fingertips, or the palm of the hand and in circular motion. Helpful in limbering joints, tendons, and muscles.
Petrissage or Kneading
Just think of the motions used to knead bread dough. It generally involves kneading and compression motions - rolling, squeezing, or pressing the muscles to enhance deeper circulation. Petrissage attempts to increase circulation with clearing out toxins from muscle and nerve tissue. A compression movement using kneading, pressing, twisting, and squeezing muscle tissue creating a pumping action that forces the venous blood and lymph onward and brings a fresh supply of blood to the muscle.
Tapotement or Percussion
A skilled therapist can tap from thirteen to fourteen times a second. Stimulation of tired muscles, Relaxation of hypertonic muscles and Loosens mucus in thoracic cavity. Make a loose fist, keep your wrists relaxed, and use quick movements, alternating hands. Only use with a relaxed wrist.
Vibration
Helps find holding patterns. It boosts circulation and increases the power of the muscles to contact. Moving your hand back and forth on the client's body without leaving contact. A continuous trembling, pressing movement made with the hands or fingers.