Massage Techniques Explained

By Marta George


Swedish physiologist and fencing master Per Henrik Ling (1777-1839), was the person who developed the methods used for Swedish massage. He learned massage in China, and adapted the techniques, in time filtering them into the world via the Swedish Central Institute of Gymnastics. The premise for the majority of massage practice, be it Sports massage, physiotherapy, relaxtion therapy or stress management, is Swedish massage.

The development of Sports Massage via Swedish massage has included the inclusion of soft tissue manipulation. This helps clients who are either athletes or those who may only have a unimportant muscular pain. Soft tissue manipulation facilitates the body to get better more quickly from injury therefore increase ability and diminish injury improvement. Ligaments, tendons, muscles, fascia and skin, collectively, are called 'soft tissue' because they have not solidified to forming bone and cartilage. Sports massage is created to help in correcting problems and imbalances in soft tissue that develop from repetitive and forceful physical activity and physical shock. Treatments are generally seen as a de-stressing and calming experience, however massage is a wide-ranging therapy, which can be directed to target soft tissue injuries.

Different techniques are employed in Swedish massage and they include:

Effleurage is a movement making use of the forearm or whole hand made use of by the therapist to calm and measure the client. Strokes are applied to the skin at a shallow level.

Petrissage is a manoeuvre making use of kneading and squeezing of muscles, without focusing on a certain area. It allows for deeper massage effects.

Frictions can be either deep or shallow techniques which warm up targeted points, done with the elbow, part of the hand or fingertips.

Tapotement is a variety percussion techniques using part or whole of the hand. The methods include hacking and cupping. It stimulates an area of soft tissue.

Vibrations energize an area and helps to loosen muscles. It is a method used primarily at the back of the neck.

Sports massage incorporates all of the above methods but with more treatment oriented aims.

Examples of applications in Sports massage are:

Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT) - This technique involves applying quasi-static pressure to the skin with the goal of energizing targeted parts of skeletal muscle, which are often myofascial trigger points.

M.E.T. (aka Muscular Energy Technique) is an application where the client has to take part in the manoeuvre where the therapist applies a directed counter-force to a muscle.

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) - This a combination of isometric contractions and passive stretching.

Swedish and Sports massage methods are extremely adaptable because they can be put into a rehabilitation or training regime.

Sports and Swedish massage contribute benefits which include:

Any appearance of adhesions or tension can be flagged and released and so aiding rebalancing of the body. Consequently, problems are avoided.

Intervention of headaches and migraines with massage is very effective. This is achieved via easing tight areas of muscle and tissue, thus dealing with the causes. Incidences turn less acute, less frequent and shorter in length.

Massage encourages faster recuperation time from injury by using the body's own healing processes.

Stimulating the lymph and blood flow systems rids toxins from the body.

The realignment of fibres at injury sites helps to minimise scar tissue.

Injuries can be prevented and performance improved because of greater muscle flexibility.

Sustainment of the muscle tone and endurance.

Postural problems can be dealt with. They can come from normal wear and tear, restrict mobility and affect the body painfully.




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