Classical Massage Movements

Massage can be divided into a variety of classical movements.

Effleurage – derived from the French word effleurer (to skim over). This is the beginning and end movement of massage, and an ideal linking movement and good for ‘marking time’.

• It is a soothing movement mainly done with the flat of the hand. Maybe with one hand but usually with both. The fingers are closed together not splayed.
• Strokes are reasonably slow and rhythmic, normally made towards the heart. The hands should not leave the skin after each stroke as continuity is of paramount importance for relaxation.
• The pressure should be slightly firmer on the upward stroke – this helps to induce a feeling of well-being and also helps to improve blood flow to the heart.
• Hands must be relaxed and moulded to the part of the body being treated. The fingertips should be flat, and the skin should appear to ‘ripple’ ahead of the hands.

Effects of effleurage

– Relaxation

– To prepare the skin for further deeper movements

– To warm the tissues and muscles

– To increase blood and lymph flow

– As a link for all movements

Petrissage – derived from the French word petrir – meaning to knead.

• Petrissage is normally applied with the balls of the thumbs and fingers and is applied to soft tissue that has bone immediately underneath it. The tissue is then eliminated of accumulated waste products. It may resemble a grinding type movement, or a compression type movement Wringing, picking up, lifting or skin rolling may also be classified in this section.

Kneading, a form of Petrissage

This is a compression type movement. It is a deep movement usually applied on soft tissue.

Effects of Petrissage:

• Elimination of waste product

• Localized increase in blood flow

• Decongestive

• Breakdown of adipose tissue

• Soothes contracted muscle fibres

• Produces a toning effect on muscles

Tapotement -In the French dictionary means to pat, tap strum or drum.

• In massage it is ‘tapping’ movement – sometimes called percussion.

• Stimulating, toning movements using both hands alternately. Can be fingertip movements also.

• May be used on the face for toning muscles

• These are not usually done in Aromatherapy Massage

• Other movements that may be in this group: Pinching, Beating, Pounding, and Cupping

Cupping

• This is a quick movement with bands in a cupped position. When the hand is brought down onto the body the air that is trapped underneath is expelled creating a vacuum that helps create

erythema or hyperemia (a blood increase to the surface of the skin). It should be applied to areas of tension – i.e. shoulders and back or areas of adipose tissue – buttocks and thighs.

Correctly applied it should sound like a horse trotting.

Hacking

• This is achieved with the edge of the hand with the hand and small finger relaxed – if not the movement becomes a ‘karate chop’ and this would be most undesirable! The hands are brought down onto the skin alternately and quickly over areas of tension, i.e. shoulders – back and adipose tissue, i.e. thighs and buttocks.

Beating and Pounding

• These movements are done with closed fists and loose wrists, moving the hands in a circular motion. Only for use on areas of adipose tissue or large muscles

Effects of tapotement

– Increase circulations

– Stimulate nerve endings

– Improve muscle tone

– Loosen mucous

Vibrations

• A fine trembling type movement performed with one or both hands, using either the whole palm surface or fingertips. This technique can loosen scar tissue, soothe irritated nerves, relieve flatulence in the abdominal organs, and relax muscles of the forearm. It basically relieves tension.

– Increase in blood supply to the area

– Relaxes tense muscle fibers

– Improves skin tone

– Improves muscle tone

– Helps remove adipose tissue (debatable)

– Stimulates the tissues

Frictions

• These are small penetrating movements performed with the fingertips or thumbs in a circular direction. Used to treat specific lesions rather than in general massage. Used for releasing adhesions over old scar tissue or increasing desquamation over thickened skin.

Massage – Summary of the effects of massage on the systems of the body

The skin

Improves skin texture

Improves skin circulation by vaso-dilation of surface capillaries

Through increased removal of waste via lymphatic system, skin imperfections look less evident

Desquamation increased

The muscles

Improves muscle tone

Relieves fatigue in muscle tissue by removing lactic acid

Helps prevent formation of fibrositis

Helps muscles to work at maximum efficiency

Relaxing on tense tight muscles

Effects on the joints

Helps to mobilize joints by increasing synovial fluid

Helps to ease painful sore joints

Helps to keep joints more supple: increasing mobility

Cells and tissues

Increased blood supply causes rapid cell renewal

Helps rid tissues of waste: enabling better function

Vascular system

Increases the blood circulation

Creates localized erythema

Helps to heat up cold extremities

Generally, increases hearts function

Lymphatic system

Increases the flow of lymph

Ensures glands or vessels keep fluid moving through them

Detoxifies

Neurological system

Has a calming and soothing effect on tense-tired nerve pathways

Some movements can stimulate nerve endings

Respiratory system

Induces deep breathing

Decreases external and internal respiration

Digestive system

Increase peristalsis

Helps prevent constipation

Genito-urinary system

Increases production of urine

Facial massage:

• 6 x effleurage

(temples – chin – chest – up back of neck – chin to ears – mouth to ears – up sides of nose- onto forehead – back to temples

• Circle into back of shoulders x3
• Half effleurage x3

(chin – chest – around the back of the shoulders – up the back of the neck)

• Chin brace x3
• Scissors over mouth x 3 each direction
• Drainage under the cheek bones x3
• Sinus drainage of the forehead with thumbs x3 in 3 areas
• Eye circles x3
• Eyebrow pinch
• 6 full effleurage

Steaming the skin:

Steaming is a gentle deep cleansing treatment that is suitable for use on most skin types. It relaxes the skin and assists in the elimination of waste products through perspiration. It opens the pores so that comedones can removed easily and improves the circulation, which also helps to remove impurities form the skin.

Many steamers also have an ozone facility. Ozone has an antibacterial effect on the skin – it promote healing and helps to destroy bacteria.

Steaming is carried out following cleansing and toning of the skin.

Distilled water should always be sued in a steamer to prevent the build-up of calcium. Essential oils can be added to some models and can be selected according to the skin type of the client.

Effects of steaming:

• Opens pores
• Grease deposits in the follicles
• Are softened enabling easy extraction of comedones
• Sebaceous glands are stimulated, more sebum is produced which lubricates the skin
• Circulation and skin colour is improved
• Softens surface dead skin cells aiding desquamation
• Warms and prepares the skin for further treatments
• Relaxing

Application of steam to different skin types:

Normal – used for general cleansing and toning purposes and to maintain good skin.

Steam for 10 minutes, 5 on the lower face and 5 on the full face. The steamer should be positioned approximately 12 inches from the face.

Seborrhoea or blemished skin – used to deep cleanse, heal and disinfect.

Steam for 15- 20 minutes, 10 minutes on the lower face and 10 on the full face. The steamer should be positioned 10 inches from the face.

Mature skin – used to cleanse, relax and regenerate the skin.

Steam for 3 – 6 minutes, 2/3 on the lower face and 2/3 on the full face. The steamer should be positioned 15 inches away from the face.

The general rule for the steamer placemat is the greasier the skin, the closer the vapour. The more sensitive the skin the further away the steamer should be placed.

The length of time the steamer is used for depends upon the skin type and condition. The average time within a facial routine would be 5 minutes, less if the skin is very sensitive or mature and longer if the skin is very congested. The clients skin should be closely observed during steaming. Steaming should not be continued if redness begins to occur. The same contraindications apply to steaming as to all electrical facial treatments with the addition of acne rosacea and any areas of vascular disturbance.