Effleurage
Light, continuous-stroking massage movement applied with fingers and palms in a slow and rhythmic manner.
Petrissage
Kneading movement performed by lifting, squeezing, and pressing the tissue with a light, firm pressure.
Tapotement
Also known as percussion; movements consisting of short, quick tapping, slapping, and hacking movements.
Friction massage
The deepest form of massage, consisting of deep, circular motions performed by the thumb, knuckles, or ends of the fingers at right angles to the involved tissue.
Vibration massage
Causing the tissue to tremble or shake vigorously
Contraindications of massage
Over pathologic conditions that might spread such as cancer
Precautions of massage
Acute inflammatory areas
Phlebitis
Varicose Veins
Areas of abnormal sensations
Compromised skin integrity (recent surgery or RA)
Certain edemas
Mechanical Effects of massase
Assists venous flow
Assists lymphatic flow
Stretching of soft tissue
Stretching scar tissue
no effect on strength or mass of muscle
Physiological effects of massage
Increases metabolism
Decreases venostasis
Decreases edema
Assists in pain relief due to stimulation of sensory receptors and muscle relaxation
Reflex effects of massage
� Capillary vasodilatation
� Gooseflesh
� Relaxation
Psychological
� Relaxation
� Comfort
� Sedative effect with decreased pain
In extreme cases vomiting or nausea
General guidelines for massage
follow venous flow
move light to deeper to deepest and back
begin and end with effleurage
Avoid tender areas
End with tapotement if wanting to stimulate muscle
Examples of Effleurage
Traditional effleurage
knuckling
shingling
bilateral tree stroking
three count trapezius
horizontal stroking
concluding stroke
Examples of Petrissage
Two hand petrissage
alternating two hand
C & V positions
one hand petrissage
alternating one hand petrissage
Friction
Traditional
cross fiber
storms technique (use of thumb/fingertips paralell to muscle)
cyriaxs technique (fingers crossed)
Tapotement
Hacking
Cupping
Slapping
Beating
Tapping
Pincement