Massage Therapy
History of Massage
Massage is an ancient technique of hands-on healing that was already developed in Ancient China, India, Persia (= now Iran), Greece and the Roman Empire. Massage was rediscovered by the Western world in the late 18th century by Per Hendrik Ling, a physiologist from Sweden (and thus it is often called “Swedish Massage”).
Massage strokes
Here are the 5 basic massage strokes:
Effleurage
a long, gliding superficial stroke to assess, warm up and calm the muscles and skin. Effleurage is usually used at the beginning and end of a massage, and also during a massage.
Petrissage
a stroke that is deeper than effleurage, to increase the blood and lymph flow even more.
Petrissage techniques are:
- Kneading
- Squeezing
- Lifting
- Rolling
- Compression
Tapotement
a fast-paced stroke to energise the body.
Tapotement techniques are:
- Hacking (also called “tapping”) (with one’s hands in a vertical position)
- Plucking (also called “pinching”) (with one’s fingers)
- Pounding (with one’s fists)
- Cupping (using one’s hands like a “cup” and thus creating a “vacuum” effect. Good for clearing lungs, e.g. for coughing and asthma)
Each tapotement technique should only be used for max. 30 – 40 seconds.