Learning Simple Massage Movements

Touch:

Touch basically means to place your hands, fingers or forearm on some area of the recipient's body.

Superficial touch:

This is done with very light pressure. You just rest your hand, fingers or forearm on the recipient's body. The only pressure is caused by gravity. I use this technique to connect up to the recipient and to calm them down if they seem restless or nervous. It is extremely soothing, will help you to ground the recipient and it is a very nice way to start a massage session.

There are many places that you can touch, but I would recommend touching the left and the right side of the body simultaneously. I know people who touch the wrists, the chest or the shoulders to get the same effect. I prefer to touch the ankles for all massages, except for face massages. For face massages I usually put my hands either on the forehead, the sides of the head or over the eyes.

Deep touch:

In this technique, you use a finger or thumb or the palm of your hand to put deep pressure on one spot without movement. You might know this technique from reflexology, acupressure or shiatsu. Deep touch can have a strong effect on a person's body, so it is advisable to only use this technique if you are trained in it.

Effleurage or stroking movements:

Stroking can vary greatly in terms of the amount of pressure and length of the strokes. The main thing with this technique is not to lift up in between strokes. Otherwise, you will loose the connection to the recipient.

Superficial stroking:

These are slow and gentle strokes with light pressure that only go about skin deep. You can use your palms or forearms for this technique. Use it at the beginning stages of the massage to apply and distribute oil or lotion, (if applicable), evenly on the skin. The use of gentle, light, and superficial strokes is very soothing and can also be used when the recipient suffers from insomnia or nervousness.

You can also use a technique called feathering, in which you use very light strokes applied with your fingertips. The rhythm is a little bit faster. It is energizing and removes tiredness, especially when used on the face and head. Note: Some people prefer the feathering technique using their nails rather than their fingertips but this is up to the preference of the recipient.

Deep stroking:

This technique is used over large surfaces and big muscles. The strokes are usually long, smooth and firm. It affects the deeper structures and also helps the blood flow back to the heart trough the venous system. That's why strokes on the extremities are always directed from the end of a limb towards the center of the body. This also has a positive effect on the lymphatic system.

Friction:

In this technique you are actually trying to stretch underlying tissues by sliding along the skin.

Wringing:

This technique is similar to what you do when you wring out a wet towel. The muscle is hereby twisted against the bone. Start very gently and then gradually increase the pressure so as to not hurt the recipient. I recommend doing this movement with some kind of lubrication otherwise you might rub the skin in a way that will be uncomfortable.

Note: When I was a kid we used this technique to tease other kids. We called it 'stinging nettle' because it caused a strong burning and stinging sensation on the arm. We twisted the skin with both hands in opposite directions.

Rolling:

This is one of the simplest and most relaxing techniques that I know of. Unlike other techniques, it not only affects muscles and tendons, but also joints, ligaments and even organs. It doesn't need any lubrication and you can easily do it through clothes.

The massager should be positioned next to the person at the level where they are working. You can use one or both hands. Always keep broad, solid contact and start to roll the area you're working on from side to side. Use slow, smooth movements like rolling a piece of bread dough. Use both hands on the same side or opposite sides - however you prefer.

If you have a good rhythm, the whole body will start to roll from side to side, even when you only work on one arm or a leg.

I usually have people lie first in front position, (on the stomach), then in back position. Start with the feet and work your way up to the shoulders and out towards the arms. Then move back to the shoulders and on down to the feet. You can go back and forth as often as needed.

It usually takes me about 15-20 minutes for the whole treatment. The recipient rests for a while after that.

Some people don't like this kind of movement and get motion sickness-type symptoms.

Note: For hygienic reasons, I only recommend that you include the face if you have a chance to wash or wipe your hands before you do it. You just touched their feet, so I would not stick your hands right onto their face after that.

Compression:

Compression means to squeeze the skin and underlying structures. It works best on the fleshier parts of the body. Compression applied to boney areas can create discomfort. Make sure that you have broad enough contact otherwise you might slip and pinch the skin.

Circular friction:

Circular friction helps to release tension from the deeper layers of the body. It increases the local blood and lymph flow and helps to rid the body of toxins. This technique can be applied with fingers, thumbs, palms or elbows.

Transverse or cross fiber friction:

What I have experienced in my work is that cross fiber friction is good for releasing muscle tension. In order to really be able to massage cross fiber, you would need to know the pathways that the different muscles run along. But even if you don't know, there is still a fair amount of cross fiber work that you can do. Basically, if you find a boney ridge on the body and you massage side to side along that ridge, you are probably applying a cross fiber massage to the muscle tendons that are attached there.

Note: Cross fiber friction can be a very powerful technique. Believe it or not it even seems to be able to break down bones. A friend of mine had a bone spur in the front of his knee. He was in a lot of pain because this one tendon always rubbed on the spur and he had a chronic inflammation there. All the physicians that he saw told him that he should have surgery. Then he met this guy who was teaching Xyriax technique - probably the most famous cross fiber method. The Xyriax guy told my friend to just do a 5 to 10 minute cross fiber massage 3 to 6 times a day right on the spur. The pain slowly subsided and the physicians couldn't believe what they saw on the x-rays after 6 months of cross fiber massage. The spur was completely gone.

Percussion movements:

Percussion movements can be categorized as quick striking movements. These manipulations are generally very energizing and can improve circulation and stimulate weak muscles. Don't use these techniques too much though, as it might become overwhelming for the recipient.

Note: Never use percussion movements on muscles that have not been properly prepared or 'warmed up' first!

Tapping:

Tapping uses the fingertips. It is mainly used on the face, chest, and back.

Note: Some Qi Gong schools use this technique in the morning to activate the chi in the body.

Slapping:

Slapping uses the flattened part of the hand. Slapping is often used in sports massage before a game or a fight. It is very stimulating on the nerves. You might have seen this technique on TV before or during a boxing match.

Slapping works well on the back, shoulders and legs.

Cupping:

In this technique, you form a hollow groove in your hand by pressing your fingers together and bending them slightly so that the knuckles come up a bit. This is what is meant by a 'cupped hand'. This technique is not as superficial as slapping. You can use this technique on the back, shoulders, arms, and legs.

Hacking:

With hacking you will be using the outer edges of the hands. You strike alternately with your left and right hand. Keep your hands close together and stay close to the body. This can be done slow or fast.

Similar to cupping, this technique can be used on the back, shoulders, arms, and legs.

Note: I prefer doing this move with loose wrists because it is a little bit less intense, but some people prefer to keep their wrists stiff.

Beating:

Beating is done with clenched hands. It is the most intense form of percussion movements and should only be used on large muscles and fatty tissue. This means that you can use it primarily on the back and buttocks.

Vibration:

In this technique the massager creates a continuous shaking or trembling motion with his fingers, palm or elbow which can be soothing as well as stimulating. Light vibration is relaxing and vibration with pressure is energizing.

The effect is, of course, also influenced by the duration of the application and the rate of vibration. Slower rates are more soothing, while faster rates are invigorating. Besides manual vibration you can also use electrical vibration devices. Most of the massage devices on the market actually use vibration movements.

Passive Joint movements:

Passive joint movements mean that the massager moves a particular joint through its natural range of motion. It can be used on the toes, ankles, knees, hips, arms, legs, wrists and fingers.

Never try to force a movement. Move your own joints to see which way they move naturally. If you keep that in mind, passive joint movements can be very relaxing.

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