EFFLEURAGE TECHNIQUE (TO SKIM)

Effleurage is a technique using a repeated circular stroking movement made with the palm of the hand. Physio.co.uk defines it as “a massage technique in which long, light strokes are used over areas of the body. The most common areas of the body for effleurage are the arm, back, thigh and calf.

Benefits of the Effleurage Technique:

• It can stimulate lymphatic drainage

• Stretches the tissues

• Help detect the state of the soft tissue

• It warms, soothes and relaxes the body and mind

• Slow effleurage calms the nervous system

• Fast effleurage stimulates the nervous system

• Reduces tension and muscle tightness

• Relieves tired and achy muscles

PETRISSAGE TECHNIQUE (TO KNEAD)

Petrissage is a technique that involves kneading the soft tissue. The word petrissage comes from the French and refers to ‘kneading’. The technique may include stretching, squeezing, kneading soft tissue.

Wikipedia defines petrissage as: “… massage movements with applied pressure which are deep and compress the underlying muscles. Kneading, wringing, skin rolling and pick-up-and-squeeze are the petrissage movements. They are all performed with the padded palmar surface of the hand, the surface of the finger and also the thumbs.”

Benefits of the Petrissage Technique:

• Soft tissue elasticity

• Muscle waste product removal

• Stimulates the skin

• Promotes vascular response

• Promotes lymphatic response

• Increases portability between tissue interfaces

Other Techniques:

• Tapotement

• Deep Friction

• Soft Tissue Release (STR)

• Myofascial Release

• Neuromuscular Techniques (NMT’s)

• Muscle Energy Techniques (MET’s)