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TRADITIONAL MASAGE (SWEDISH MASSAGE) |
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This traditional massage is performed by focusing on certain parts of the body (local) or the whole body. It revitalizes the tissues and cells by increasing the circulation, decreasing the muscle tension and increasing concentration. The main goal is to reduce the fatigue and stress which will lead to a crispy and relaxed feeling. It is often performed with massage oil, but upon request or on certain occasions, it can also be performed without any lubricant. One séance usually takes about 60 minutes. |
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How is traditional massage performed ?
This massage consists of Western techniques such as effleurage (sliding), friction, tapotement (rhythmic tapping)
and petrissage (kneading).
SLIDING (EFFLEURAGE) : This is a soothing, stroking movement used at the beginning and the end of the facial and/or body massage. It is also used as a linking move between the different strokes and movements. Effleurage is basically a form of massage involving a circular stroking movement made with the palm of the hand. It can also be performed with one hand, two hands or fingers only. It is performed with a deep pressure towards the direction of the heart, which is called deep effleurage. During the return to the starting point (in the reverse direction), the pressure is decreased. This is called surface effleurage.
KNEADING (PETRISSAGE) : Petrissage are massage movements with applied pressure which are deep and
compress the underlying muscles. Kneading, wringing, skin rolling and pick-up-and-squeeze are the petrissage movements. They are all performed with the padded palmar surface of the hand, the surface of the finger and also the thumbs. These techniques will tighten and stretch the muscle. This will tighten the shortened tissues and open the attached tissues. To make this technique effective, tightening deep and surface tissues should be avoided. Therefore when the applied surface decreases, the pressure should also be decreased. It is important to apply this technique slowly, softly and rhythmic. It is also important for the masseur to grasp the tissues the right way. The whole muscle should be stretched and kneaded. The increase in blood circulation will help to discharge body wastes. This kneading movement is very effective to rest the muscles. During the application of this technique, we can observe hyperemia. After this technique the blood circulation will increase, the skin will get stretchy and soft.
FRICTION : It can be applied with thumb, end of the hand or the whole hand. This technique consists of circular motions that are performed on certain body parts with certain pressure. The effect on the tissues depends on the pressure. When the friction is applied on skin tissue, the underskin is active above the tissue. During a deep friction massage, it is not desired to have the skin to slip. To increase the effect of the pressure, the hands are put on top
of each other. This is done to distribute the fibrosis nodules. It is a painful manipulation. It might lead to inner muscle bleedings. During the back massage, the friction is used around the scapula, where the tight tissue areas are dense. The pressure should be frequent, but it should not be very heavy, otherwise it will disrupt the structure of the tissue.
It is expected that this technique will increase the movement capability of the tissue. Hyperemia will be formed on
the applied area.
RHYTHMIC TAPPING (TAPOTEMENT) : It is a rhythmic percussion, most frequently administered with the edge of the hand, a cupped hand or the tips of the fingers. It is primarily used as a stimulating stroke and can release lymphatic build up in the back and gently tap the shoulder of the client. For instance, before sporting the muscles are stimulated with rhythmic taps. Tapotement can also be used to treat illnesses. For instance, to empty the lung secretions, it can be applied on the ribcage. It is also applied after amputations, to make the body ready for prosthesis. In tapotement, it is not expected to have an increasing effect on the circulation. The veins will first narrow, then widen. The muscle tonus will increase slightly. During the tapping, stretching and tightening can be observed on the lips.
VIBRATION : It is usually applied with the whole palm, and occasionally also with finger tips. The hand will be fixed
on the tissue without sliding, or it might move in a direction very slowly. Vibrations are performed with very short frequencies and transferred to the tissue. The most qualitative vibration is performed with electrical massage machines. It can remove muscle spasm and reduce pain. It is the most important massage move that can remove muscle tension. |
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