MM Chapter 13: Swedish Massage Techniques

The effects of tapotement vary depending on the application’s speed, force, and length. For example, short bursts of forceful tapotement are stimulating to both the local area and the body as a whole, but longer applications tend to relax the body area and body as a whole.  Very light tapotement with the fingertips causes vasoconstriction […]

https://vimeo.com/481738739 Variations in the application methods for vibration are described in Technique 21. Pay careful attention to your body mechanics when performing this stroke. It is easy to inadvertently tense your shoulders, elbows, and wrists during fine vibration because this technique is difficult until you have gained coordination and practice. Focus on relaxing your shoulders

The effects of vibration on the body depend on how the stroke is applied. Initially, vibration is stimulating because it startles the body and briefly activates the sympathetic nervous system. As the stroke progresses, the body relaxes. Sustained vibration to a particular area has a numbing, analgesic effect, reducing pain. Fine vibration is often applied

https://vimeo.com/481738757 Superficial friction is most often applied with the palms in a quick, light, back-and-forth motion with little or no lubricant. The fingertips, thumbs, knuckles, forearm, elbow, or edge of the hand are used to apply a deep friction stroke.  During the application of friction, pay attention to the quality of the client’s tissue and

The effects of friction vary depending on the stroke’s depth, direction, and speed. Superficial friction is brisk and stimulating. It produces heat in the skin from the resistance between the client’s body and the therapist’s hands. The heat produced through friction increases circulation and lymph flow to the local tissue.  Deep friction is applied parallel

https://vimeo.com/481738770 To apply a petrissage stroke, wrap one hand around the tissue, keeping your fingers together as a unit. Lift the muscle away from the bone until you feel it stretch. Roll the muscle through your fingers and out of your hand as your other hand lifts up another section of tissue. Too much lubricant

Petrissage provides many of the same effects as effleurage. Petrissage stimulates sebaceous secretion, thereby conditioning the skin. It stimulates local circulation to warm soft tissue and improves nutrient and waste exchange.  It is particularly suited for decreasing muscle tension. When soft tissue is lifted off the bone and other muscles in a petrissage stroke, the

https://vimeo.com/481736235 The palm of the hand, fingertips, edge of the hand, forearms, knuckles, and thumbs can be used to apply effleurage strokes. The choice often depends on the desired depth and the body area. For example, the forearm would obviously not be used to apply an effleurage stroke to the face; the fingertips are clearly more appropriate.

The effects of effleurage on the body vary depending on the stroke’s depth, speed, and direction. For example, slow strokes delivered in the same direction as the muscle fibers at a light or moderate depth soothe the body and trigger the parasympathetic nervous system response. Quick strokes delivered in the same direction as the muscle