Basic Massage

Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is the scientific manipulation of

the soft tissues of the body for the purpose of
normalizing those tissues and consists of manual
techniques that include applying fixed or
movable pressure, holding, and/or causing
movement of or to the body.

Benefits:

Greater flexibility and range of motion
Increase of the ease and efficiency of
movement
Relief of stress and aide of relaxation
Promotion of deeper and easier breathing
Improvement of the circulation of blood
and movement of lymph
Promotion of faster healing of soft tissue
injuries
Creation of a feeling of well-being

Contraindication:

Heart conditions (advanced heart failure,
hypertension etc.)
Phlebitis, thrombosis and embolism
Kidney failure
Cancer and chemotherapy
Fracture and dislocation
Massage should not be used locally on
affected areas for the following
conditions: rheumatoid arthritis flare up,
eczema, goiter, and open skin lesions.
Precautions should be taken before using
massage for the following conditions:
pregnancy, high fevers, osteoporosis,
diabetes, recent postoperative cases in
which pain and muscular splinting

Massage Strokes:

1. Effleurage - any stroke that glides over
the skin without attempting to move the
muscle beneath. Apply firm even
pressure. Effleurage strokes are usually
directed toward the heart.
o Is used more than any other stroke
o Usually begins and ends each
treatment

o Used as a bridge between many
strokes
o Accustoms the patient to the touch of
the operator
o Allows the operator to search for
areas of spasms and soreness
o Allows the operator to become
familiar with the condition of the
patient's muscles
o Increases circulation to the skin and
more superficial muscles
o Bilateral effleurage, Alternating Hand
Effleurage (Shingles), Raking, Nerve
Strokes

2. Petrissage - a stroke that picks up the
muscle and squeezes it. Usually done with
two hands, alternating between each
hand, but can be done with one hand.
o Milks the muscle of waste products
o Can help to free adhesions
o Increases circulation and nutrition to
the muscle
o Along with effleurage can be
considered a complete back massage

3. Friction - Friction is a stroke that pokes
through the skin and massages the
underlying muscles. While doing friction
"put on the skin like a glove" to reach
through it and massage the muscles. Ask
the patient frequently if you are deep
enough or if you are too deep. Always do
friction on the opposite side of the spine
from where you are standing. Strokes are
usually done in the direction of the
muscle fibers
o Works the deeper tissues Breaks up
adhesions
o Breaks up "knots"
o Increase circulation to the muscles
o Thumb Friction, Fingertip Friction,
Cresting Friction, Palm Friction,
Alternating Thumb Friction, Cross
Fiber Friction (Peeling)

4. Tapotement - any stroke that "strikes"
the skin. Usually a series of brisk blows.
o Can be used to excite the nerves
o Can be used to calm the nerves
o Increases circulation
o Used in hospitals for bronchitis,
pneumonia, and other like conditions
to release mucus from the lungs
o Hacking, Cupping, Pincement, Beating
5. Vibration - a vibrating/shaking
movement. Can be done to the skin or an
entire limb or even the whole trunk.
o Relaxes the patient

15 Laws of a Good Massage

1. Wash hands before every massage.
2. Make sure fingernails are trimmed and filed.
3. Do not use cold hands (if necessary warm
hands with warm water).
4. Take off watches and all other items that might
scratch the patient.
5. Use a clean room to give the massage in.
6. Do not over or under lubricate the patient.
7. Put a pillow under the patients ankles.
8. Never take your hands off the patient after you
start the massage.
9. Always massage a muscle that is relaxed.
10. Never cross the spine with pressure when
you are giving the massage.
11. Massage on the opposite side that you're
working on when your doing friction.
12. Always work toward the head.
13. Never massage in a untidy or cluttered room.
14. Use good posture while giving the massage.
15. Always remember to get feedback from the
patient.

Things to Remember:

1. Care of the Hands

The hands are the most valuable tools a massage
therapist has. They should be taken care and
kept in a presentable manner. The fingernails
should be kept short, filled and clean. The hands
should be washed before and after each massage
so that you don't transfer the diseases from one
patient to another. The hands should be warm
when you give the massage. Be careful not to do
any activities that might give you a blister before
you give a massage.

2. Posture

Remember to maintain good posture while
giving a massage. When your giving 3 or 4
massages a day having good posture makes a
difference in the way you'll feel at the end of the
day. Stand erect and have your feet spread a part
shoulder length. Instead of stooping to give
strokes that require you to be closer to the
patient (like tapotement & petrissage) spread
your legs apart more. Give a massage on a table
that is the proper height for you (A good test is to
stand erect, arms at your sides, and if the table is
about where your palms begin then it is fine.) By
following the rules of posture you will keep
yourself from needing a massage at the end of
the day.

3. Positioning the patient

The patient should be in a position that will
allow him to be relaxed while he is receiving the
massage. Make sure the patient is comfortable
and not lying bent to one side. Put a pillow under
the patient's ankles to ensure that his feet are
comfortable. The muscle that you are massaging
should be completely relaxed. Ask the patient
before beginning the massage if he is
comfortable and if there is anything that he
needs. People are very timid when it comes to
massage therapists and they rarely complain.
They might be in a very uncomfortable position
yet not say anything because they think that you
might have put them in that position for a
reason. Always remember to keep good
communication with the patient.

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Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is the scientific manipulation of

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