Swedish Massage Techniques

Definition: Effleurage is a light massage technique performed in such way that it does not attempt to move the muscles beneath. It is also called gliding.

Description: Effleurage is the most used massage movement, it usually starts and ends a massage session and is used as a linking technique between other techniques. Effleurage can be used on any massaged area of the body. It will be harder to perform deep effleurage on hairy body parts such as the scalp, however a superficial effleurage can be safely performed.

The word "effleurage" is derived from the French verb "effleurer" which means "to skim over".
Effleurage can be Deep or Superficial.
Some of the effects of effleurage are: relaxation, blood and lymph circulation improvement,

Effleurage is a relatively slow and continuous stroke, most usually performed using the palm of the hand. With some effleurage techniques, such as shingles effleurage, we can slightly increase the speed of stroking.
Most of the effleurage techniques need the use of a lubricant, such as massage oil or lotion. However the more fast and superficial techniques are better performed without lubricant. The therapist need to adapt the session accordingly if the client need such a technique.

Definition: Petrissage is a moderately deep massage technique performed in a rhythmical manner attempting to manipulate the muscles beneath the superficial tissue layers.

Description: Petrissage moves are deep and they are performed on muscular zones on the body. Petrissage can be painful at times so the practitioner has to adjust the firmness according to the client's pain threshold.

The origin of the work is the French word "petrir" which can be translated as kneading, or working the pastry dough. As a matter of fact Petrissage is very often referred to as kneading.

Most of the petrissage techniques are better performed without any lubricant. The effectiveness of grasping, rolling, squeezing the skin and muscles beneath is negatively affected by using lubricants. However, there some petrissage techniques adapted to the use of massage oil.

A few types of petrissage are kneading, wringing, lifting and rolling.
Some of the benefits of effleurage are: improved muscle blood circulation, increased muscle tone, deep muscle relaxation, improved gaseous exchanges, (better oxygenation).

Definition: Tapotement is Swedish massage technique consisting of rhythmic percussions, administered with the edge of the hand, loose fists, cupped hand, or the fingers.

Description: Tapotement is performed in a rhythmic way, with fast pace, usually alternating hands.
If we are using the edge of the hand is called hacking, if using the loose fists is called fist percussion, the tip of the fingers and is called tapping. Other percussion methods are wiggling, pinching, cupping.

The term Tapotement comes from the French word "tapoter" which means to tap. Tapotement is very often referred to as massage percussion.
The medical massage primarily recommends tapotement for patients with bronchitis to loosen mucus in the lungs promoting expectoration. However, tapotement can be a stimulating massage move, and at the same time a relaxing one.
It is an underutilized and underestimated technique, probably because it is a technically difficult move.
If you give children a massage they'll always ask for the tapotement.

Definition: Friction is a massage technique that targets the deep tissue. In a friction tissues are manipulated, using strong movements of the hand.

Description: Friction is the Cinderella of the medical massage techniques. While other techniques such as effleurage and petrissage are very popular, friction is of equally importance and can provide great results, yet it is not as popular. Friction targets the deeper layers of tissue, hence it is more physically demanding.

Depending on the friction method the use of lubricant is recommended or not. For cross-fiber friction we may or we may not use lubricant. For friction that involves larger areas it is usually better to not use lubricant. Instead, we must pay a closer attention to the technique, in which the practitioner palm does not rub the skin, but rather keeps a permanent and firm contact like a glove. This kind of movement is recommended in order to avoid the irritation incurred by strongly rubbing the skin for prolonged periods of time. This contrary to the popular believe that a rub is always welcomed. The superficial irritation of skin can render a good massage into a nightmare within minutes. Paradoxically, friction is very often referred to as rubbing.
Some of the great benefits of a friction are: reduce the scar tissue formation after injuries, ligament and tendon injuries treatment, increases circulation, absorption of inflammatory products, reduces cellulite, etc...

Definition: Massage Vibrations are a massage technique performed by using superficial rapid movements of the fingertips or palm.

Description: Vibrations are a difficult technique. For this reason many practitioners do not include it in their practice or they use electrical devices for vibrations. There are a few types of vibrations depending on the frequency. Depending on frequency there are different ways of performing massage vibrations and different effects obtained.
Some of the benefits of vibrations include: relaxation, improved nerve function, muscle relaxation and it can affect equally, superficial body parts as well as internal organs.

There are many electric massage devices that can provide a high quality vibration massage. In fact, this is the only technique where the therapist can be successfully replaced by a machine.

Definition: Nerve strokes or feathering is a fingertip massage technique that uses very light pressure on the body.

Description: Nerve Strokes are considered a light effleurage, (the French term effleurer describes better nerve strokes than the massage gliding), can be performed on almost any permitted part of the body.

The feathering massage can be a deeply relaxing technique and it can be very stimulating, depending on technique and various objective and subjective stimuli. Feathering should be done at the end of a massage session or incorporated into specially devised sessions for relaxation or entertainment. As a head massage advocate I included this technique as it is a very efficient head massage procedure.