Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Massage Terminology:
Types Of Massage
- Swedish Massage: One of the most common forms of massage therapy. It is a very relaxing and therapeutic form of bodywork.
- Hot Stone Massage: A massage that uses basalt stones that are heated. They aide the therapist in providing deep penetrating heat to the muscles.
- Deep Tissue Massage: A form of massage therapy that uses a lot of pressure to relieve muscle tension.
- Sports Massage: A form of massage therapy designed for athletes. It's more vigorous than a Swedish Massage.
- Trigger Point Therapy: A form of massage therapy designed to release a specific type of knot in the muscle. (see "All Knotted Up" below)
- Therapeutic or Medical Massage: A form of massage therapy designed to work specific muscles.
- Seated Massage: A form of massage therapy that uses a specially designed chair for the bodywork.
- Reflexology: A form of bodywork that uses pressure points in the feet, hands and ears to stimulate the corresponding body organs.
- Pregnancy Massage: This is also referred as side lying massage. It is used for pregnant women (obviously) but also used for special circumstances. A client may be physically handicapped, or in pain that prevents him from lying face up or face down on the table.
- Energy Work: This involves many different massage modalities. It comes from Eastern Medicine and the belief that there is more to the human body than what can be seen physically. Most of these modalities date back thousands of years. Western cultures and medicine are only just starting to realize that energy work is real, although inexplicable.
Visit
Full Throttle Massage.com for a complete listing of our massage services.
Different Strokes For Different Folks
- Effleurage: A gliding stroke used by massage therapists. This is typically used at the beginning and end of the massage. It's purpose is to warm the tissues by providing increased circulation.
- Petrissage: A kneading stroke used by massage therapists. This stroke is designed to lift and knead the tissues. It helps in removing the metabolic wastes that have built up in muscle tissue. It also helps to draw new blood to the tissues.
- Friction: Also referred as cross fiber friction. This stroke is most commonly used by the therapists fingers or thumbs. The therapist will sink into the muscle with his fingers, then rapidly move them back and forth across the muscle. This helps in breaking down tight knots that have built up in the muscle tissue.
- Nerve Strokes: This is a form of effleurage that involves a light touch. It is usually done in a manner that is both light in touch and quick in movement. It's purpose is to stimulate the area after it has been worked with other methods.
- Tapotement: This is what you have seen in the movies. The boxer that lays on the table while some big burly guy appears to be beating on the boxers back. In reality there are many forms of tapotement, from light finger tapping to the heavy beating. This is generally used at the end of a massage session and it helps stimulate the tissues.
- Stripping: This is a stroke used by massage therapist that is designed to help lengthen a muscle. Usually the therapist uses his thumbs and while applying pressure he glides the full length of the muscle that is being worked on.
_________________________
To re-print this article contact the author at
info@fullthrottlemassage.com