Massage Techniques

In this blog I thought it would be a good to introduce some of the different massage techniques used by sports massage therapists, the benefits of these techniques and some of their physiological effects. The four techniques I am going to cover are; effleurage, petrissage, frictions and tapotement. There are other techniques but I thought I would focus on just these four initially rather than bombard you with too much info in one go.

Almost all massage techniques are carried out with the main pressure being directed towards the heart. This helps increase venous and lymphatic flow and ensures that no pressure of blood is being pushed against closed valves causes any damage to blood vessels. The only exception to this is where short strokes are aimed at stretching muscle fibres. Because the strokes are limited, there is no risk of pressure being built up

Effleurage

The first technique I’m going to talk about is effleurage. Effleurage is always used at the start of massage and consists of a variety of stroking movements, usually carried out with the whole palm of the hand and fingers (but can be carried out with the forearm), which may be used with varying pressure according to the purpose and stage reached during the massage.

The basic movements comprise stroking with firm pressure using a wide surface area of the palm of the hand and fingers. On the return, the therapists' hands maintain, light contact and avoid the path taken on the upward stroke. As with all massage, the hands must be relaxed and moulded round the natural contours of the recipient's body. Effleurage is always used to commence any massage session and it has a wide range of purposes that you need to focus on:

• Introducing touch to the client
• Putting the client at ease
• Warming the tissues
• Increasing blood flow
• Stimulating peripheral nerves
• Muscle relaxation
• Palpating tissues

Effleurage should be carried out in a rhythmical and relaxed manner starting with light touch at the start of a session and building up to deeper pressure for increased circulation and stretching of tissues later in the massage. It should not be rushed as it is during this phase you need to begin to focus on any abnormalities in the tissues that may require further attention later in the massage. If the movements are performed too quickly, this will not help the client relax and if a "tender" area is missed, it will almost certainly be more painful when discovered using deeper techniques later! Effleurage is also used to complete the massage finishing with light stroking to relax the patient, particularly if movements that are more painful have been used beforehand.

Petrissage

Petrissage (or kneading) is used on deeper tissues for mobilising fluids, stretching muscle fibres, and inducing relaxation. Some of these techniques are specifically aimed at only deeper tissue and are therefore both ineffective and difficult to perform on narrow parts of the limbs. You must therefore pay particular attention, as with all massage techniques, as to what your purpose is when kneading petrissage is a powerful technique that is particularly effective in mobilising fluids in very deep muscles and applying a good stretch to the fibres involved.

Frictions

Frictions may be used for exploratory purposes, or for deeper and sometimes more painful movements aimed at breaking down lesions, separating muscle fibres, and even breaking down recent scar tissue. When performing frictions for exploratory purposes we tend to use the sensory pad of the thumb to "grasp" the skin and to move this over the underlying surface to feel for any abnormalities (trigger points) to the tissue concerned. This allows us to palpate, particularly around joints and feel for smaller abnormalities in the tissues. When performing frictions for the purpose of separating muscle fibres, breaking down lesions and scar tissues, firstly the client must be warned that these procedures may indeed be painful or at the very least uncomfortable. They only need to be carried out for a very short while. Using vigorous frictions for any longer than this may have a particularly detrimental effect by irritating and even causing inflammation.

Tapotement

Tapotement movements are generally rapid, rhythmic movements by the hands, originating from a relaxed wrist, which strikes the body briskly and alternately, usually at a rate between 4 to 10 strikes per second. The differences come from what part of the massage therapists’ hand is used, as well as the depth of pressure applied.

At the end of a relaxing massage session, the stimulation provided by tapotement brings the client back to a more grounded consciousness and, if done well, does not agitate the body to a point of stress or nervousness.

Categories of Tapotement

· Hacking - This is perhaps the most familiar form of tapotement, often seen in films, especially in sports warm-up scenes. The therapist's hands are held outstretched with palms facing each other. Wrists are kept loose. Both hands alternately strike the client's body, with wrists having a slight rotation as hands rise and fall in rapid succession. Only the ulnar border of hand, and to some extent the tips of the three medial fingers, touch the body. The fingers and hands should remain relaxed at all times.

· Pounding/Pummeling - The main difference between hacking and pounding or pummeling is that the therapist's hands are held in a soft fist with the little finger portion of the hand making contact with the clients body.

· Cupping - In cupping, the therapist forms the palmar aspect of his or her hand into a cup-like shape, by slightly flexing the fingers. These "cups" are then struck against the client's body. The palm of the hand does not touch the body. Only the outer edges that form the rim of the cup come in contact with the client. There is often a distinctive "clop, clop" sound that results when performed correctly.

· Tapping - Tapping is the lightest and most gentle of all the percussive movements and is often performed at a slower rate than the others. The therapist's hands are loose and relaxed. Only the tips of the fingers are used to gently tap the area. This movement can be used on the more delicate areas of the body such as the head and face.

· Plucking - In plucking, the client's skin is gently picked up by the thumb and fingers of each hand in a kind of light pinching or pecking motion. The tissue is picked up and released in rapid, alternating movement, using both hands.

Benefits of Tapotement

1. Tapotement has a hyperemic effect. That is, it increases local blood circulation, which, in turn, helps to warm and soften the underlying tissue. The skin will feel warm to the touch and appear flushed. It is often used to help warm-up an athlete prior to an event.

2. With this technique, nerve endings are stimulated, which produce tiny muscular contractions, resulting in an overall increase in muscle tone. This is thought to happen because of the stroke pressure being registered by the muscle's mechanoreceptors in the fascia and Golgi tendon organ. A reflex action follows, resulting in the contraction of both voluntary and involuntary muscles.

3. Cupping, specifically, can be used over the upper and middle back to loosen mucous in the lungs, and has been helpful with those suffering from cystic fibrosis. Any client appearing to have respiratory problems should be cleared first by his or her physician to make sure massage is appropriate for his or her condition.

4. When used in combination with other massage techniques, tapotement helps to reduce fatty deposits and tone flabby muscle areas

So, there you have a brief introduction of four massage techniques used by sports massage therapists. If you have any questions then feel free to email or write in the comments section.

For sports massage bookings in swansea, visit www.jamiepughperformance.co.uk