Massage Mastery Search All

When you first begin providing massages to clients, your approach will be somewhat different from how you will later perform massage therapy as a seasoned professional. In the beginning, it is enough to remember a stroke’s French name, how it is performed, and why it is used. As you progress, you will learn to think […]

Joint movements involve a complicated process that includes the brain, nerves, muscles, and bones. The simple act of picking up a pencil, for example, requires a complex series of actions and reactions. The brain decides what movement to make and sends signals through the nervous system to the muscles. The muscles then contract or lengthen

Tapotement is a rapid, rhythmic percussion stroke using the hands in various formations to drum on the client. The name comes from the Old French for “a light blow.”

Vibration is a pulsating, tremor-like or oscillating stroke that stimulates or relaxes the body area or the whole body, depending on how it is applied. The term “vibration” comes from the Latin word for “to shake.” Vibration is often used only in short bursts to a particular area because it can be tiring for the

Friction is a heat-producing, chafing stroke applied either with light, brisk strokes (superficial friction) or with depth (circular, linear, or cross-fiber friction). The word “friction” comes from the Latin frictio meaning “to rub.” In a traditional Swedish progression of strokes, friction is applied after petrissage, using little or no lubricant. It is used to heat

Petrissage is a rhythmic stroke that lifts the muscle off the bone and other muscles, compresses it between the fingers, and rolls the muscle fibers as the muscle falls back into position. The word “petrissage” is from the French verb for “to knead.” This technique is often used after effleurage strokes have warmed the muscle

Effleurage is a long, gliding stroke delivered with a light, medium, or sometimes deep pressure that usually follows the direction of the muscle fibers. The word “effleurage” derives from the French verb meaning “to skim” or “to touch lightly.”  This stroke is often the first applied to a body area. It is used to spread

Chapter 1 introduced you to the history of Swedish massage. Per Henrik Ling of Sweden developed a system of medical gymnastics in the early 19th century that became known as the Swedish Movements. Dr. Johann Mezger gave French terms to these techniques used to loosen and manipulate muscles. In the mid-1800s, the Swedish Movements gained