Body Massage Techniques and Procedures

Massage might be familiar to  a lot of people but less familiar as a means for treatment for others, depending on preference, traditions, society, habits, and culture. Techniques such as effleurage, petrissage and inhibition all refer to manipulating the muscles, fascia and other soft tissues during a massage session. 

Depending on the type of massage, it may be stronger or a more gentle approach when massage techniques are applied. The objective of a massage is to enhance the balancing of mind and body and the individual receiving the treatment’s wellbeing.  Along with  sports and deep tissue massage there may be a variety of different levels of pressure  applied.

Skeletal muscles are a vital part of the human body, as they enable every person to move around, do things and hold up our bodies against gravity. Our minds are running at almost 100% from the moment we wake up in the morning.  And so, the mind and body are the primary benefactors of massage Gosforth, which allows them to function properly through relaxation and balancing of the muscles and the mind.

What is Massage?

Massage therapy is the treatment of muscles in our body through various hands on techniques. Massage therapists may use their arms, hands and elbows to apply techniques. During the treatment or session, a licensed massage therapist will apply strong or gentle pressure to the soft tissues of your body. This is to ease tension and pain. 

The manual application of techniques will release muscular tension, improve blood circulation, lymphatic drainage and calm the nervous system. Sometimes, massage is used as complementary medicine purely to reduce anxiety and stress. 

Here are some of the benefits, massage Gosforth can help with

• Improve immune function through stress reduction..
• Injury recovery.
• Energy balancing, aiding in rest.
• Aid the body to flush away toxins through lymphatic drainage.
• General relaxation to soothe emotional or physical pain.

What are Massage Techniques?

The techniques and movements used during a massage treatment depend on whether the type of massage used is deep tissue, Swedish or aromatherapy massage. Sports and deep tissue massages are more directed to treat acute or chronic tension build up and break down adhesions. On the other hand, Swedish or aromatherapy massage is ideal for relaxing, unwinding, rejuvenating or balancing your body. 

Here are some of the techniques you may experience when you have a massage treatment:

1. Effleurage – Effleurage is a massage technique that uses light friction. It’s commonly used at the beginning of the massage session or treatment. This technique is made up of long, stroking movements with the use of fingers or flat hands.  Effleurage is also used to improve the flow of the lymphatic system. 
2. Petrissage – Petrissage is an effective massage technique in which pressure is applied to more specific muscles and tissues. Compared to effleurage, petrissage is slightly firmer and  includes squeezing, kneading, rolling of the skin, and stretching techniques that improve blood circulation. It also relieves muscle spasms, knots and can enhance muscular function. 
3. Friction – Friction is a particular massage technique performed on soft tissues using thumbs and fingers. It’s a soft tissue manipulation performed in a slow and controlled movement across tendons, muscles, fascia, and ligaments. 
4. Tapotement – Tapotement is also a particular massage technique used in Swedish massage. It’s performed using the edge of the hand, tips of the fingers, or a cupped hand. It’s done in rhythmic percussion,  and may include fast tapping movements. 
5. Vibration – Vibration is a massage technique used in Swedish massage to stimulate soft tissues. During the treatment, the vibration could be in a shaking motion or in an up and down movement. Lighter vibration techniques help the muscles relax and stimulate the parasympathetic system. It’s performed in slow vibration movements while keeping the hands on the same spot on the body. 

Here are some known types of massage that we offer at Osteopathy and Therapy which might be suitable for you:

Sports Massage

Compared to Swedish and aromatherapy, Sports massage uses more pressure on your body. It’s suitable for athletes or your average person who experiences repetitive injuries to muscles from playing sport. If you don’t have any injury but are prone to having one, then  sports massage is also a great option as it helps prevent injuries. Additionally, this type of massage is also used to enhance performance and flexibility. For others, it may be used to relieve anxiety, muscle tension, and relieve pain. 

A sports massage can be performed on a particular part of the body or as a full-body massage. For athletes, sports massage is performed on a specific area of the body that needs attention to avoid muscle tension or injuries. Pressure may be varied depending on what your body needs.

Aromatherapy Massage

Aromatherapy massages are suitable for people who want more of a mental break or emotional healing in their massage sessions. It’s a combination of gentle and soft pressure with the use of essential oils. Usually, the massage therapist decides which essential oil to use depending on what you want to achieve, but you can also let them know if you have any preference. To avoid too much concentration, these essential oils are diluted before being applied to the skin. This is also to prevent skin irritations. Aromatherapy massage can help:

• Reduce mental strain.
• Relieve pain.
• Reduce stress and anxiety.
• Relieve muscle tension.
• Boost your mood.

These are just some of the most common types of massage offered at Osteopathy and Therapy, that can improve your overall wellbeing. It may be a way for you to feel better emotionally, mentally, and physically. To find the ideal massage according to your needs, we would be happy to have a chat with you about what you want to achieve. Are you in need of a massage? Call us on 0191 640 7322. Or send us an email through info@osteopathytherapy.co.uk.