Techniques . . .

Applied massage will often consist of a combination of the main techniques: effleurage, kneading, petrissage, superficial strokes and percussion.

Effleurage . . .
is the preparatory and concluding stroke of massage. At the start of a massage, this non-invasive technique relaxes the body and prepares the tissues for treatment. It helps the massager understand the problematic areas and decide the best way to proceed for maximum effect. At the end of a massage, it is used to calm the whole body and encourage the muscles to relax as much as is possible after treatment.

Kneading . . .
is the deepest massage stroke where curved muscles, i.e. thigh muscles, are squeezed with the whole hand and thumb. Kneading breaks down deep muscle tension, knots and scar tissue and conditions the muscles so they have more tone. It encourages the muscles to become more sponge like which increases blood flow to the area and assists healing.

Petrissage . . .
involves taking hold of the edge of a muscle or the part of a muscle that lies close to the bone and squeezing it between thumb and fingertips. This is suitable for the sinewy muscles in the limbs and upper back. It is used to adjust tension rather than forcing it out as this type of muscle will automatically resist any force applied to it. Petrissage allows more specific work on the body and is used more on children and older adults.

Superficial strokes . . .
are a series of movements which originate from petrissage. These strokes are only skin deep but the effects are profound. These strokes interface with the skin and treat it as an organ, interacting with it's nerves and circulation which benefits the entire body. Superficial strokes are often used for injuries to loosen tissue, increase circulation to assist healing and relieve pain.

Percussion . . .
is a very stimulating massage stroke and is used at the end of a massage session to bring the body back into sync with life after being in a state of deep relaxation. It involves striking the muscles and skin with a variety of wrist movements. Percussion usually starts slowly and gradually builds and stops suddenly after approximately 20 seconds.