Swedish Massage Techniques

Time Required After Injury Before Massage

No work can be done on a sprain or injury within the first 72 hours.

Benefits of Swedish Massage

Effective for improving circulation of blood and lymph, relaxing muscles, improving joint mobility, inducing general relaxation, and promoting health skin.

Petrissage Preperation

Before performing this technique, prepare and warm the area, usually with effleurage. Use only a small amount of oil or lotion when warming up the area because too much lubricant will make it difficult to grasp the tissue, light compression is used when not using lubricant.

Principles for Treating Muscle and Tendon Lesions

- Fingers and skin move together to affect deep tissues. - The effect of friction is most important, not the amount of pressure used. - The movement must be over the precise site of the lesion. - The tissue must be in the appropriate tension. - Do 6-12 sessions of 5-10 minutes each on alternate days, for sub acute and chrnic conditions only, begin with 1-5 minutes and gradually increase. Recommended 10-20 minutes of effleurage and gentle friction before applying deep friction.

Skin Rolling

A basic myofascial massage technique that stretches the underlying fascia and increases superficial circulation.

Deep Vibration

A deep vibration or trembling motion is imparted through the fingertips, but generated by using the forearm.

Pincement

A rapid, gentle movement in which superficial tissues are picked up between the thumb and the first two fingers. It might be described as plucking.

Skin Lifting

A technique in which the skin and subcutaneous tissue are picked up between the thumb and the first two fingers and gently pulled away from the deeper tissues. Once the skin is pulled away, the thumb may push forward, lifting the tissue in a smooth, continuous motion causing a rolling effect. Often applied to the back.

Touch without Movement

A unique massage technique category. It is defined by touch wit the hands, but without an visible movement. Touch without movement is not casual or social touch, but is a skilled touch with intention. Touch applied with intelligence, with control, and with purpose that is capable of producing decided physiological effects.

Fingers-to-Thumb Petrissage

A useful technique that can be used to manipulate the superficial tissues. In this technique, the skin and underlying tissues are pressed between the thumb of one hand and the first two fingers of the other hand, causing the tissue between them to lift. Another variation is to form a "v" with the index finger and thumb of one hand and use it to lift and press the enclosed tissues agisnt the opposite thumb.

Direct Pressure

Also known as direct static pressure, may be applied with a thumb, finger, knuckle, or elbow. Tissues are compressed using light to heavy pressure. Once tissues are compressed, the technique is held for 5-30 seconds depending on the intent. There is no movement after the initial compression. This is categorized as static friction or a form of compression, Ischemic compression.

Tapotement

Consists of a series of brisk percussive movements following each other in rapid, alternating fashion. Also known as percussion, this technique has a stimulating effect.

Cyriax Friction

Deep traverse friction is a specific type of cross-fiber friction that is applied directly to the site of a lesion. It is used to facilitate health scar formation at an injury site. It is reserved for sub acute and chronic musculoskeletal injuries. and in the remodeling stages of tissue healing.

Vibration

Described as an oscillating, quivering, or trembling motion, or movement back and forth or up and down performed quickly and repeatedly.

Jostling

In this technique, the upper leg is held by two hands, one on each side of the leg. In this case, the muscle movement is back and forth from hand to hand. It is helpful at times to jostle the entire limb gently to mobilize the surrounding joints and encourage relaxation and "letting go" of the whole area.

Petrissage

Lift, wring, squeeze, pres, or roll soft tissues in a kneading motion, or press or roll the tissues under or between the hands. Depending on size of the muscle it may be performed with one or two hands. The motions are used to "milk" the muscles of accumulated metabolic waste products, increase local circulation, and assist venous return. May also help separate muscle fibers and evoke muscle relaxation.

Basic One or Two-Handed Kneading

Performed by lifting, squeezing, and then releasing the tissues in a rhythmical motion. In basic kneading, tissues are lifted with the whole hand in firm contact, rather than with just the fingertips. The movement is lifting away from the underlying bone. One-handed kneading works well on smaller limbs, while two-handed kneading works well on larger muscles of the arms, shoulders, and legs.

Friction

Performed by rubbing one surface over another repeatedly. The resistance to the motion provided by the surface creates heat and stimulates the skin. Superficial Friction: Rub hand on skin briskly, fast Deep Friction: Shift, broaden, and separate tissues

Three-Count Stroking of the Trapezius

Performed in three movements alternating hands with each stroke.

Circular Two-Handed Petrissage

Performed on broad, flat areas like the back. Tissues are picked up between the hands as they pass each other.

Rolling

Performed on the limbs. While grasping a limb lightly on opposite sides between the palms of the hands the muscles of the limb are compressed against each other as the hands press in and perform an alternating back-and-fourth motion. Rolling progresses from proximal to distal.

Quacking

Performed wit the palms together and fingers loosely apart. The striking surface is the lateral edges of the tips of the fourth and fifth little fingers. As the fingers hit the bony surface, they come together to make a quacking sound.

Slapping

Performed with an open hand, the fingers held lightly together. Strike gently and briskly with the palmar surface of the fingers, rather than with the whole hand.

Stripping Effleurage

Performed with deep pressure along the length of the muscle fibers, typically done with the thumb.

Tapping

Performed with the ends of the fingers. Sharp, light taps are applied with the padding of the fingers. Light tapping can be applied to the head.

Basic Sliding Effleurage

Performed with the palms and fingers of the hand, thumbs, fists, or forearms.

Deep Friction

Performed with the tips of the fingers, the thumb, or the heel of the hand, depending on size of the surface to cover. Used to create movement between the deeper tissues and help keep them from adhering to one another. With lack of movement, stress, or trauma to an area, muscle fibers may stick together or tendons stick to tissues with which they come in contact. Deep friction can help keep tissues separated and functioning smoothly.

Shingles Effleurage

Regers to alternate stroking, first one hand then the other in continuous motion with the strokes overlaying each other like shingles on a roof.

Effleurage

Slide over skin; long smooth strokes, continuous motions. Perhaps the most versatile of the Swedish Techniques and is used most frequently. Assessment can be made on the general condition of soft tissue and the firmness and shape of the musculature using this technique. Sensitive fingers may find areas of tension or holding.

Compression

Technique where tissues are pressed or rolled against underlying tissues and bone in a rhythmic motion.

Passive Touch

The act of simply laying the fingers, one hand or both hands lightly on the body. Passive touch may impart heat to an area, have a calming influence on the nervous system, or as some believe, help balance energy.

Swedish Massage

The basis or most massage therapy performed in North America and Europe. It is the most common form of massage found in spas, health clubs, and private practice. It is the foundation of therapeutic applications within the professions of massage therapy, physical therapy, athletic training, and nursing.

Superficial Warming Friction

The palm or some other part of the practitioner's hand is rubbed briskly over the skin. This generates heat and stimulates superficial circulation. Greater pressure can be applied to affect deeper tissues such as when using the knuckles and in sawing, also called ulnar friction. Best done dry or with little lubricant as too much would reduce resistance and reduce friction. It can be applied over clothing.

Swedish Massage Techniques

There seven general categories: Effleurage, Petrissage, Friction, Tapotement, Vibration, Touch without movement, and Joint movements.

Shaking

This is a coarse form of vibration that can assist muscular relaxation.

Squishes

This is applied with the hands loosely folded, making an air pocket between the palms. The striking surface is the back of one of the hands. As the back of the hand hits, the palms push out the air between them, creating a squishing sound.

Light Effleurage with Vibration

This technique may be used for a soothing effect. Apply effleurage techniques, adding a slight back and forth motion with the fingertips. Can be used in areas that are hypersensitive and painful, for a calming effect.

Bilateral Tree Stroking

Traces a pattern reminiscent of branches growing out from both sides of a trunk, usually performed on the back.

Variations of Petrissage

Variations include: Basic One or Two-Handed Kneading, Circular Two-Handed Petrissage, Fingers-to-Thumb Petrissage, Skin Lifting and Rolling, Compression, Rolling

Variations of Effleurage

Variations include: Basic Sliding Effleurage, Stripping, Shingles Effleurage, and Bilateral Tree Stroking.

Variations of Vibration

Variations include: Deep Vibration, Light Effleurage with Vibration, Shaking, and jostling.

Variations of Tapotement

Variations include: Slapping, Tapping, Pincement, Quacking, and Squishes.