Western Massage Therapy

In the previous article, specific types of Western massage therapy were discussed, specifically effleurage and petrissage. In this next installment, find out about the rest of the Western massage types.

What is done in tapotement?

Tapotement involves sudden, compressive blows on the muscle or skin. The following are usually done in tapotement:

• Tapotement involves rhythmic, rapid, and gentle percussion.
• There are different types of tapotement, depending on what part of your hands touch the body.
• Many people believe that tapotement displaces trapped air, leading to a therapeutic effect.
• Tapotement stimulates. This stimulatory effect is desired by a lot of people who want to feel energized.

What is done in deep friction?

Deep friction involves a shearing stress that is created between tissue interfaces right below the skin. The following are done to achieve effective deep friction massage:

• In deep friction, the shearing stress is directed on underlying tissues instead of more superficial tissues of the skin. The interface involved may be between the dermis and the fascia, the fascia and the muscle, or the muscle and the bone.
• The use of deep pressure keeps the more superficial areas of the skin from experiencing friction.
• Using the ball of your finger or thumb, pressure is carefully applied on someone’s soft tissues.
• This type of massage is specifically useful in preventing adhesion of scars. Adhesion of scar tissue results in limited mobility; it is therefore important to prevent this from happening.

Western massage uses scientific principles and knowledge regarding the body’s anatomy and physiology. It is largely based on either scientific theories or proven principles.

If you are curious about the origins of massage and why it brings about natural relief from many pains and medical conditions, read this. Also, you may learn more about effleurage and petrissage, the two other types of western massage by reading this article.

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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.