Massage Strokes
Did you know that the many different types of massage therapy in the world share 5 basic massage strokes? Of course there are a number of variations on these five basic strokes and each system of massage has different ideas on how they are used - but there's only 5.
Effleurage - This is probably the most often used stroke in all of massage, it's the gliding stroke. The gliding stroke of Effleurage may be done with the Massage Therapist's fingers, thumbs, palms, knuckles, fists, and forearms. Sometimes it's even done with the upper arm or by using a foot. Effleurage is often considered to be a relaxing or sedating stroke most often used at the beginning and end of a massage, or as a transition between body parts. It's often so sedating that it's use on athletes immediately prior to a sporting event is usually limited. Effleurage gliding is a primary stroke in Swedish massage, and is a very useful stroke to apply slow, deep pressure in a deep tissue massage or sports massage. It's also a vital component in some forms of Lymphatic Drainage massage.
Petrissage - This stroke is not only very therapeutic, it feels good too. It's the kneading stroke. Petrissage can be done with the fingertips, palms, or the whole hand. Some Massage Therapists liken Petrissage to kneading bread dough. Petrissage kneading is very good to loosen and stretch muscles and fascia that are "stuck" together and stimulate deep circulation of blood and lymph.
Friction - Strokes in the friction category are usually thought of as either superficial or deep in nature and are the "rubbing" stroke in massage. Friction strokes may be performed with fingers, thumbs, knuckles, fists, or elbows and are used to increase local circulation, increase heat in the tissues, broaden tissues, and separate tissues that have become adhered to each other. This is done by moving the various tissues against each other...friction. While useful in any form of massage therapy, friction is especially valuable in rehabilitating scar tissue from muscle tears or sprained ligaments.
Vibration - The Vibration strokes amount to a continuous jostling, rocking, shaking or trembling movement applied by the Massage Therapist. Vibration strokes can be very relaxing or very stimulating depending on the stroke used, and where it is applied. Vibration strokes are especially useful in gently encouraging movement of joints throughout the body.
Tapotement - The striking motions in massage fall under the category of Tapotement or Percussion. Some types of Tapotement include hacking with the side of the hand, beating with loose fists, slapping with the palm, tapping with fingertips, cupping with a cupped palm, and sometimes pincement where the Massage Therapist's fingers lightly pinch the tissues. Tapotement is used to increase circulation, improve muscle tone, and stimulate the nervous system. Massage Therapist's use these striking motions in many types of massage including pre-event sports massage to stimulate the athlete prior to competition, and to gently stimulate clients lulled to sleep during the massage.
Compression - I know this would make six strokes when I said there was only five; however, compression is categorized differently depending on who's setting up the categories. In some jurisdictions, or some schools, compression is placed in the Petrissage category while in others it's placed in the Friction category. I've even heard of compression being called "static friction". So, really it's generally thought of as a variation of another stroke...so there's still just five strokes. No matter how it's categorized compression is very useful in massage therapy. Like many other strokes, compression can be performed with fingertips, knuckles, or even elbows. Compression is very commonly used to soften muscular attachments and to release trigger points in muscles.
There you have it. Just five strokes, and many variations, in all of massage therapy. Each stroke is a valuable tool in the Massage Therapist's tool box allowing them to relieve your stress, reduce your pain, increase circulation, and improve wellness. See your Massage Therapist today for a hands-on demonstration!
Effleurage - This is probably the most often used stroke in all of massage, it's the gliding stroke. The gliding stroke of Effleurage may be done with the Massage Therapist's fingers, thumbs, palms, knuckles, fists, and forearms. Sometimes it's even done with the upper arm or by using a foot. Effleurage is often considered to be a relaxing or sedating stroke most often used at the beginning and end of a massage, or as a transition between body parts. It's often so sedating that it's use on athletes immediately prior to a sporting event is usually limited. Effleurage gliding is a primary stroke in Swedish massage, and is a very useful stroke to apply slow, deep pressure in a deep tissue massage or sports massage. It's also a vital component in some forms of Lymphatic Drainage massage.
Petrissage - This stroke is not only very therapeutic, it feels good too. It's the kneading stroke. Petrissage can be done with the fingertips, palms, or the whole hand. Some Massage Therapists liken Petrissage to kneading bread dough. Petrissage kneading is very good to loosen and stretch muscles and fascia that are "stuck" together and stimulate deep circulation of blood and lymph.
Friction - Strokes in the friction category are usually thought of as either superficial or deep in nature and are the "rubbing" stroke in massage. Friction strokes may be performed with fingers, thumbs, knuckles, fists, or elbows and are used to increase local circulation, increase heat in the tissues, broaden tissues, and separate tissues that have become adhered to each other. This is done by moving the various tissues against each other...friction. While useful in any form of massage therapy, friction is especially valuable in rehabilitating scar tissue from muscle tears or sprained ligaments.
Vibration - The Vibration strokes amount to a continuous jostling, rocking, shaking or trembling movement applied by the Massage Therapist. Vibration strokes can be very relaxing or very stimulating depending on the stroke used, and where it is applied. Vibration strokes are especially useful in gently encouraging movement of joints throughout the body.
Tapotement - The striking motions in massage fall under the category of Tapotement or Percussion. Some types of Tapotement include hacking with the side of the hand, beating with loose fists, slapping with the palm, tapping with fingertips, cupping with a cupped palm, and sometimes pincement where the Massage Therapist's fingers lightly pinch the tissues. Tapotement is used to increase circulation, improve muscle tone, and stimulate the nervous system. Massage Therapist's use these striking motions in many types of massage including pre-event sports massage to stimulate the athlete prior to competition, and to gently stimulate clients lulled to sleep during the massage.
Compression - I know this would make six strokes when I said there was only five; however, compression is categorized differently depending on who's setting up the categories. In some jurisdictions, or some schools, compression is placed in the Petrissage category while in others it's placed in the Friction category. I've even heard of compression being called "static friction". So, really it's generally thought of as a variation of another stroke...so there's still just five strokes. No matter how it's categorized compression is very useful in massage therapy. Like many other strokes, compression can be performed with fingertips, knuckles, or even elbows. Compression is very commonly used to soften muscular attachments and to release trigger points in muscles.
There you have it. Just five strokes, and many variations, in all of massage therapy. Each stroke is a valuable tool in the Massage Therapist's tool box allowing them to relieve your stress, reduce your pain, increase circulation, and improve wellness. See your Massage Therapist today for a hands-on demonstration!
In San Antonio, Texas you can try out these strokes by calling me at 210-269-3314 or you can check out my webpage at Massage By Ben for more information.
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