Massage
Massage Strokes
Effleurage Petrissage Friction Tapotement Vibration
Massage Routines
Back Massage Foot Massage
Basics of Massage
15 Laws of Massage Posture, Positioning, and Hands Definitions of Direction Terms
Effleurage
Any stroke that glides over the skin without attempting to move the muscle beneath. Apply firm even pressure. Effleurage strokes are usually directed toward the heart.
● Is used more than any other stroke
● Usually begins and ends each treatment
● Used as a bridge between many strokes
● Accustoms the patient to the touch of the operator
● Allows the operator to search for areas of spasms and soreness
● Allows the operator to become familiar with the condition of the patient's muscles
● Increases circulation to the skin and more superficial muscles
Bilateral Effleurage
Start at the lower back with one hand on each side of the spine. Go towards the upper back, all the way to the shoulders. While returning to the lower back go along the sides of the back. To give a deeper massage lean your body weight into the massage.
Alternating Hand Effleurage (Shingles)
Start with one of your hands to the side of the spine at the lower back. Move that hand forward 6-8 inches and then follow it with the other hand. Remove the hand that is in the front and place it behind the other hand. Do this several times to slowly work your way up the back (to get to the top of the back should take atleast 12-14 cycles).
Raking
Start with your fingers besides the spine at the bottom of the rib cage. Have one finger inbetween each rib with your lower finger between your last rib. With your fingers inbetween the ribs follow the ribs all the way down to the side of the back and then return back to the spine. Repeat this all the way to the top of the rib cage. Move up one rib at a time
Nerve Strokes
Lightly run your fingertips all over the back
Petrissage
A stroke that picks up the muscle and squeezes it. Usually done with two hands, alternating between each hand, but can be done with one hand.
● Milks the muscle of waste products
● Can help to free adhesions
● Increases circulation and nutrition to the muscle
● Along with effleurage can be considered a complete back massage
Friction
Friction is a stroke that pokes through the skin and massages the underlying muscles. While doing friction "put on the skin like a glove" to reach through it and massage the muscles. Ask the patient frequently if you are deep enough or if you are too deep. Always do friction on the opposite side of the spine from where you are standing. Strokes are usually done in the direction of the muscle fibers
● Works the deeper tissues
● Breaks up adhesions
● Breaks up "knots"
● Increase circulation to the muscles
Thumb Friction
Small circles made with the thumb
Fingertip Friction
Small circles made with the fingertips of both hands joined by the index fingers
Cresting Friction
Small circles made with the part of your fingers inbetween your knuckles
Palm Friction
Small circles made with the palm
Alternating Thumb Friction
With both thumbs side by side bring one thumb forward while bringing the other back. Then bring the one back while bringing the other forward. When going shallow go faster and slower when going deeper
Cross Fiber Friction (Peeling)
Use the part of your palm near your thumb as a "potatoe peeler".
Try to "peel" the skin back and forth going across the fibers of the muscle instead of with the fiber of the muscles.
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Tapotement
Any stroke that "strikes" the skin. Usually a series of brisk blows.
0. ● Can be used to excite the nerves
0. ● Can be used to calm the nerves
0. ● Increases circulation
0. ● Used in hospitals for bronchitis, pneumonia, and other like conditions to release mucus from the lungs.
Hacking
Like doing karate chops but keep the fingers VERY loose. Your arms should not move, flick at the wrist.
Cupping
You are NOT slapping. To find out how your hands should be cupped place your hands over your ears. Your arms should not move, flick at the wrist.
Pincement
You are lightly pinching at the skin
Beating
Make a VERY loose fist. Your arms should not move, flick at the wrist.
Vibration
A vibrating/shaking movement. Can be done to the skin or an entire limb or even the whole trunk.
● Relaxes the patient
Back Massage
45 Min
A. Entire Back from Sacrum to Neck
1. Bilateral Effleurage
1.a. Apply oil
2.b. 8 to 10 strokes for warm up and familiarization
2. Alternating Effleurage (Shingles) 2x
B. Gluteal Area and Sacrum
1. 1. Alternating Thumb Friction
2. 2. Cross Fiber Friction
3. 3. Bilateral Effleurage -3x
C. Entire Back
1. Bilateral Effleurage -3x
D. Opposite Side of Spinal Column
1. Fingertip Friction -close to spine 2x, 1" from spine 2x-
1. 2. Palm Friction -2x-
2. 3. Raking
WEB effleurage on retracted scapula -place patients left hand on their lower back. Place your left hand under their shoulder and elbow under their elbow. Lift your left hand up to retract their scapula. Massage under scapula.
Rotation - Forward
1. 4. Cross Fiber Friction (peeling)
2. 5. Alternating Hand Effleurage (shingles) -both sides-
E. Repeat step "D" on other side
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1. Alternating Thumb Friction
1. 2. WEB effleurage on retracted scapula
1. 3. ROM on shoulder Rotation - Backward
1. a. Rotation
1. b. Traction with slight
vibrationTraction with slight vibration
G. Repeat step "F" on other side
H. Entire Back
1. ...
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