We can often get confused when the word 'massage'
is mentioned, because our minds may associate the word with 'massage parlours'. To set your
mind at rest, it is important to confirm that therapeutic massage is a healing art form, not a sexual technique. Massage has been practised as a healing tradition
in many cultures for thousands of years and is one of the oldest and simplest forms of therapy.
Therapeutic massage is essentially the manipulation of the
soft tissues of the whole body - muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia - for the purpose of maintaining healthy
systems within your body.
There are a variety of different strokes used in therapeutic massage
which can all be varied in speed and pressure, depending on whether you wish to have an invigorating or relaxing massage. Your
massage will begin and end with 'grounding' or 'holds' and at all times during the massage contact will
be maintained with you. Once the massage commences, some or all of the following strokes and techniques may be used.
EFFLEURAGE: an introductory stroke
that is gentle and soothing aiming to calm and relax your muscles, improve circulation, help lymphatic drainage and remove
dead skin cells.
PETRISSAGE: a kneading/squeezing stroke using
the whole hand or just the fingers and thumbs, which lifts tissues and muscles away from the bone and joints, compresses them
and then releases them. This type of stroke can help stretch muscle fibres and tissues, reduce stiffness and tension
and help mobilise adipose (fat) tissue.
PERCUSSION: includes all the stimulation
movements such as hacking, cupping and tapotement. These strokes can aid muscle tone by stretching muscle tone receptors,
can stimulate the nerves, improve circulation and energise the mind.
VIBRATION: carried out using one or both hands
and either the whole palm or just the fingertips. It can be a very soothing technique with movement being done
in a gentle way for release, or a very stimulating technique with vigorous movement to energise the tissues.
FRICTION: is a stroke that uses either the
whole hand or just the fingers, thumbs or palm of the hand, compressing tissue against bone. This can help to break
down scar tissue and stimulate the growth of new tissue, it can improve mobility by releasing tension and can help improve
the production of synovial fluid around joints.
Hopefully, this brief explanation has given you some insight as
to what massage is. For further information on the benefits that you can derive from therapeutic massage, please visit
the Benefits of Massage page.
To choose the treatment that is right for you, click here.
