Types of Massage Therapy

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is a popular and reportedly effective means of achieving natural pain relief. It involves many principles, most of which may either be Eastern or Western. To know more about the origins of massage and how it came to be, read this article.

Massage, whether of the Eastern or Western variety, has been popular in providing relief for many conditions and symptoms. Read on to find out more about massage and its many benefits.

What are examples of massage therapy?

Below are a few examples of massage:

• Shiatsu (acupressure)
• Swedish massage
• Rolfing massage
• Myofascial release
• Reflexology

Massage can also be classified according to whether they were inspired by Eastern or Western principles.

What are the types of Western massage?

The many types of Western massage can be classified into:

• Effleurage
• Petrissage
• Tapotement
• Deep friction massage

What is done in effleurage?

Effleurage involves a gentle stroking of the skin. The following concepts usually apply:

• The masseur’s hands gently stroke the skin above the muscles being targeted.
• Powder or oil can be used to help reduce friction.
• It may either be deep or superficial
• Superficial effleurage stimulates skin receptors and may be effective due to nervous or vascular reflexes. Deep effleurage, on the other hand, promotes fluid mobilization in deeper soft tissues.
• Superficial effleurage may be performed in any direction; however, deep effleurage should be done in the direction of venous flow; that is, going towards the heart.
• Effleurage is an effective way to have a person relax and to gain someone’s confidence before proceeding with the rest of the massage. It may also be useful in gauging which muscles are tight.

What is done in petrissage?

Petrissage is a firmer massage involving compression of soft tissues. The following concepts are applicable in petrissage:

• Soft tissues should be squeezed and compressed gently while hands move around in a circular pattern. The circular movement of the hands should be perpendicular to the course of the compression.
• When tissues are squeezed then released, there is a reflexive and reactive increase in blood flow.
• One specific type of petrissage is called lymphatic pump. This involves the rib cage or chest of a person with respiratory problems, aimed at promoting lymph flow and venous blood flow because of alternating compression and release of pressure on the person’s chest.

What is done in tapotement?

To learn more about tapotement, click here.