A massage is the touching, soothing and adjusting of the soft tissues of the body. Usually performed as physical therapy or for relaxation and stress relief, a massage can adjust a person's attitude, outlook, speed healing, relieve pain from injuries or simply relieve muscular tension.
A Swedish massage, the most popular massage technique given by professional massage therapists, encompasses five basic methods of massaging the soft tissues. These methods include effleurage (gliding strokes with the entire hand), petrissage (kneading with the entire hard), friction (circular pressures with the palms of the hands), vibration (shaking or vibration of the body), and percussion (brisk tapping). These methods usually follow in order but a combination of these strokes, with emphasize on the method that eases the muscles concerned, will result in a successful massage and a relaxed client.
Take a few minutes before any massage to get to know the client. It will be very beneficial for all parties concerned. A brief medical history is recommended to understand the client's physical condition, their lifestyle and stress level, and the results they hope to obtain. Maintain a comfortable level with the client by speaking softly, allowing them to voice their concerns, stress body areas that are particularly sore or tight, and have them decide on a lotion, oil or scent that they find pleasing. Explain what you will and will not be doing for the session and express that discomfort shouldn't be tolerated - if something hurts, the client should speak up. Maintain this friendly but professional level by allowing the client to disrobe, obviously in private, to their comfort level.
Though your unique massage method will develop with confidence and understanding, this is a basic Swedish massage technique to begin learning. Start on the back, neck and shoulders of a client while keeping coverage and warmth to the remaining areas. Begin with a light effleurage; gliding, light strokes to spread lotion, analyze the muscle tensions and increase circulation. Fan fingers and tree-branch, or follow, a muscle. Increase the pressure and curl your fingers to knuckle especially tight or large muscles. Begin petrissage by kneading or picking up muscles away from the underlying structure. Create a "c" with your hand, opening and closing the fingertips to alleviate sore and tight knots. As the muscles loosen and warm up, apply direct pressure friction followed by circular friction by pressing and then rubbing with the palm of your hand. Follow the length of the muscle by making smaller circular motions as the muscle reaches a tendon. Use fine vibrating and tapping with your fingertips to help maintain the muscles relaxed condition. Be cautious with tapping as it can quickly become irritating instead of the intended relaxation method. Finish the area with a light effleurage before moving on to another location.
Remember to keep the client's unmassaged areas covered and warm. Try to keep a hand on the body at all times and slowly move from one area to another to alert the client and not startle them.
To further enhance the massage experience, no matter what type is given, the massage room should typically be warm to accommodate the client's bare skin. A room softly lit with soothing music will further maintain a relaxed atmosphere; and incense or scented candles can intensify the mood. Use caution, however, with powerful scents or perfumes to avoid aggravating sensitive clients or those with allergies. Finish the massage with cool water to restore and cleanse toxins released from the massage.
The success of a good massage results in relaxing both the body and mind. All you need to give a good massage is several basic massage therapy techniques. When using any form of massage it is important to remember a few golden rules. First, always use the maxim if it doesn’t feel right, don’t do it. Encourage feedback from your receiver; ask them if the pressure feels comfortable. Secondly, always make sure that you avoid working directly on any joints. This includes the spine and the shoulder joint area. Thirdly, there are a few conditions when techniques of massage should not be used. These include any open wound, broken or inflamed skin, any infectious disease or skin condition, if they have a fever, if there are any recent injuries or surgeries. There are some conditions that can be treated by massage therapy techniques but a qualified practitioner should be sought.
It is very easy to prepare a room for a massage in the home using what you have. The ideal would be a lounge room or bedroom where there is a carpeted space. The bed is not a good choice because it is too soft, and it’s hard to maneuver around the person when using body massage techniques. By placing a deep blanket on a carpeted floor is next to ideal from a massage table. There should be two pillows placed for the receiver to lean on, on for the legs and one for the chin. A towel can be rolled up and placed under his/her stomach so he/she can relax and breathe easily.
The room should also be adequately heated and allow in no draft free. The lighting in the room should not be bright our fluorescent, instead it be soft helping to achieve a serene atmosphere. Natural light, low lamps, and candles all work well. You should have a pile of fresh towels or sheets in close proximity if you are using massage oils. Another thing to remember before giving a massage would be privacy and quiet. They are both important to relaxation during even the basic massage techniques. There should be no distracts or interruptions during a massage.
No one has to be a certified practitioner to give a good massage. Knowing the several basic massage techniques is all you need. These include a few different stokes, kneading, and different pressures. By applying these body massage techniques you can guaranteed a successful massage.
• Fan Stroking- To begin, place your hands, palm down, on the side of the body. Smoothly slide upward by leaning into it with a straight back. Then fan your fingers out on both sides, slowly releasing the pressure. Glide them down the sides pulling them back toward the original position and then repeat. A variation to this would be alternating one hand at a time using the same motions. These movements are considered the easiest of body massage techniques.
• Circular Stroking- Several of the basic massage techniques are slight variations from each other. Circular Stroking is considered a variation of fan stroking. Both hands work on the same side at once. One hand completes a full circle motion, while the other applies a half circle. This should be done in a steady rhythm, and is good for large areas like the back.
• Thumb Stroking- This is one of the firmer body massage techniques. Place your hands on the body, and stroke firmly upward and out with your left thumb. Then repeat this same motion with your right thumb slightly higher. Repeat these alternating movements in a smooth flow. This is a great way to release tension in small areas like the neck.
• Basic Kneading- This technique is done flat and smooth. It is supposed to be relaxing, and the motion is the same as kneading dough. It proves to be very successful with fleshy areas.
• Circular Pressure- Start by applying light pressure with your thumbs. Begin moving your thumbs in circular motions, gradually increasing the pressure deeply. Slowly release pressure, and glide to the next area and repeat.
• Static Pressures- These massage therapy techniques are successful for releasing tension in the neck, shoulders, back, and feet. Place your thumbs on the skin and slowly lean into them increasing the pressure. Hold this for about 10 seconds, and then move slowly to the next point. Make sure to never use your nails or push sharply.
• Cat Stroking- Place your left hand at the top of the area you are massaging. Applying very light pressure, slowly glide down the body (like petting a cat). If these body massage techniques or movements are done correctly the receiver can fall asleep.
• Knuckling- Curl your hands so that the middle portion of your fingers are against the skin. Then rotate your knuckles in a rippling movement in small circles on the shoulders, chest, palms, and feet. These techniques of massage should be applied deeply, but without pain.
Before starting any back massage techniques, make sure that you have plenty of towels so that your recipient is both comfortable and warm. Let the recipient lie in the prone position with their hands at their side, and head resting to one side. Before adding any massage oil to your hand, place you left hand on the back of the recipient’s head, and then place your right hand on his/her lower back. Next, you should oil your hands by placing a small amount on your palm. Keep in mind that at the end of the massage, the oil should be well rubbed in and your recipient’s skin should not look oily.
There are three main back massage techniques used. The first is the eflorage, which is the spreading motion. It relaxes the surface muscles and helps to let the recipient get used to your touch. Eflorage is usually used at the beginning, end, and for link movements. The second main stroke is kneading. This is when you grasp the muscle and squeeze it gently in your hands. Frictions are the third stroke, and use most often. They are specific circular movements over a small area with your thumb or hand over hand. Keep in mind that the harder you press, the slower you should move.
Begin your massage by rubbing your hands together to warm the oil and start to massage your receiver’s shoulders. This is the T-shaped eflorage. Glide your hands up the back, either sides of the spine until you reach the neck. Then move out over the shoulders and ease the pressure off as you glide back down to the waste, returning to your starting point.
Once you have begun to massage do not lose contact. Remember to communicate with the person, making sure that he/she is warm enough, comfortable, and the pressure is right. The next back massage technique should be the figure eight movement. Place one hand on top of the other gliding smoothly over the back and pulling up the side. This movement should be deeper on the upward stroke.
Place the heel of your hand on the muscle running down the side of the spine, and kneed in circles easing the muscles away. Stop at the shoulder blade, and then repeat on the other side. Make sure you do not press the spine itself. This is a friction movement called petrasauge. Use your thumbs and fingers to massage the muscles just above the shoulder blades and those in between them.
If you sense that your receiver ever tenses up, ask him/her whether it is painful. If it is, ease up and use lighter pressure.
Next a reverse eflourage movement can be applied. Use very light pressure down either side of the spine, and then increase the pressure as you glide back up to the neck. It is very important you remember to not massage the bones. After this, kneed the muscles at the top the shoulder and neck area and tell your recipient to rest his/her head on the hands to keep the neck straight. Position your thumbs on either side of the spine, and use circular friction stokes to glide up and back down.
The next phase of a back massage should start at the top of the shoulders. Apply a piano type movement with your fingertips. Use light pressure on the muscles on the side of the spine; sliding your fingers down towards the floor. Then use your whole hand to kneed and alternatively grasp the flesh up the sides of the back.
The final phase of a back massage should be very soothing. Start by using the heel of your hands at the middle of the back. Stretch the muscles on either side of the spine with a spreading motion. Feathering also has a soothing effect. Take your fingers and brush gently down each side of the back. Finally, end with eflorage. Gently pull each hand alternatively overlapping as you make your way up and down the back a few times to finish.
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