Basic Massage Techniques

Effleurage – means to lightly touch or stroke. Just by varying pressure & speed, you can easily massage the whole body. Especially good for back & chest. It improves circulation, stimulates lymph glands, eases tense muscles, reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, relaxes Do not use over varicose veins

Types

-Fan stroking

-Circle stroking

-Cat stroking

-Thumb stroking

Petrissage – Useful for deeper massage. Use only after warming up with stroking. Suitable for shoulders & fleshy areas like hips & thighs. It releases tension from stiff muscles, improves circulation, breaks down & eliminates fatty deposits. Do not apply on recent injury, scar tissue, area of inflammation, people with digestive disorders, pregnant women , varicose veins

2 main types

-Kneading (useful for light massage)

-Wringing

Pressures - involves applying firm penetrating pressure to specific areas. Best for shoulders, either side of the spine, bony areas such as base of skull, specific tension points. Releases muscular tension, increases blood flow.

2 main types

-Static pressure

-Circular pressure

Do not use over bruised, delicate, broken skin, scar tissue or varicose vein.

Percussion – Pounding stroke, used to stimulate fleshy, muscular areas like thighs, buttocks etc. Used as a wake up technique at the end of the massage. Stimulates the whole body, improves circulation, tones muscles

2 main types

-Hacking

-Pummelling

Do not use on bony areas, over bruises & broken veins.

Knuckling – Use movement with light or deep pressure. Best on soles of feet, palms of hands, shoulders & chest. Increases blood flow, releases muscular tension Do not use on abdomen, any inflamed area, delicate or broken skin, recent scar tissue, varicose veins.