Massage Therapy
Swedish Massage rehabilitates tissues by increasing blood and
lymph circulation, reducing muscle spasm, improving muscle
tone and flexibility and improving range of motion.
The Five Most Common Swedish Massage Techniques are:
Effleurage: A continuous stroke using the entire surface of one or both hands, with slightly more pressure on the upstroke than on the return. This technique promotes blood and lymph circulation and is commonly used to begin a massage treatment.
Petrissage: Pressure and release of the soft tissue by kneading, compressing, wringing, lifting and rotating.
Stroking: Light or deep pressure applied in one direction at a time.
Tapotement: Percussion of an area to stimulate muscles, nerves, and to help dislodge fluids from the chest cavity.
Shaking & Vibrations: Picking up and shaking the tissue or placing the palm of the hand on area and causing it to vibrate.
Some other effective forms of Massage Therapy:
Deep Friction Massage: The movement of tissue against the underlying structure or across tendons, muscles, scar or soft tissue, reducing adhesions that can restrict movement.
Trigger Point Therapy: A combination of fingertip pressure and/or ice and stretch to release myofascial trigger points: hyper-irritable spots in muscle or connective tissue that are a common source of referred pain.
Connective Tissue Massage: Also known as fascial release, is a series of strokes that promote the separating and loosening of muscles and underlying tissue.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage: A light, gentle form of massage used to promote movement of lymph and help reduce edema (swelling).
Muscle Energy: A system that uses the patient's own muscle strength against resistance to help realign joints.
Range of Motion: Movement of joints by the patient (active) or the therapist (passive) to help lubricate the joint surfaces and regain optimal function.
Stretching: Light pulling or holding of the muscles to increase range of motion and realign the joint capsule.
Rehabilitative Exercise: A series of movements designed to strengthen a specific muscle group or area.
Hydrotherapy: The use of water in all forms: solid (ice), liquid (water), gas (steam), for a therapeutic effect.
