Effleurage, Petrissage, Tapotement. These are all massage techniques and the origin of these words is French. This article will demystify the meaning of these words for you.

Effleurage is a gentle massage stroke performed with medium to very light pressure in a sliding and gliding motion. It is also called gliding. The stroke has evolved in time, during the initial period of massage development effleurage was a very light stroke. This was necessary to avoid irritation of superficial skin. After the apparition of light massage oils and the spreading of oils on a large scale in the industry, gliding with pressure was possible.

Petrissage is a massage stroke technique that includes kneading, squeezing, or grasping the muscles. The most known is kneading petrissage. The therapist squeezes and pulls the muscle tissue in a similar way to kneading the dough. Historically the Kneading Petrissage was performed on limbs, neck and back. The use of massage oils makes it very difficult to knead the back. As a result, kneading as a back massage technique slowly disappears.

Tapotement is a set of rhythmic percussion movements performed with fingers, fists, palms, or the sides of the hands, (karate chops). Hacking, cupping, fist pounding, and tapotement pincements, (percussion pinching), are all different tapping strokes. Different tapotement moves can have different therapeutic purposes. Therapeutic applications of this kind of massage technique are loosening the mucus of the air passages, relaxation, stimulates muscles.

Friction is a more deep tissue manipulation. Initially this massage technique was performed in such manner that the hands of the therapist were manipulating only the tissue beneath the skin. The surface skin would move with the hand of the therapist like a glove. This would allow great amount of friction to be performed without irritating the surface skin. The modern massage has changed the technique to adapt it to the use of massage oils. A major progress is the apparition of cross-fiber friction technique.

Vibration is a massage stroke performed with a high frequency in a shaking manner. Rocking is a variation of vibration.

Other great massage strokes are:

Nerve strokes” – extremely light strokes for relaxing the patient, (effleurage nerve strokes and tapotement nerve strokes).

Compression is a massage technique used to reach the deep muscles, or to perform reflexology.

Stretching is used to restore the joints their flexibility.

There are other great massage techniques and therapists create new strokes all the time.

For more about massage techniques and a “how to back massage” step by step visit: Head-Massage.net.
Dorian is a Complementary Medicine therapist who is involved in promoting touch as a life changing instrument. He is contributing with articles at Head-Massage.net.

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The modern form was developed in Sweden around the beginning of the 19th century, though the origin is disputed. Many attribute the usual techniques to Per Henrik Ling, a Swedish gymnastics instructor who developed the style for athletes. Others give credit to a Dutch-born physician by the name of Johann Metzger.

But whoever should get the credit for this innovation, the techniques that are now practiced are largely agreed on. By contrast to most Asian styles, Swedish massage uses long, firm strokes and gentle tapping. Asian styles emphasize more focused pressure on specific areas.

The result is improved circulation, as muscles are encouraged to release trapped blood. Joints are made limber and tense muscles relax under the gentle but firm pressure. This is achieved by a combination of five different traditional movements employed by the massage therapist.

Effleurage is a gliding stroke, a movement in which the masseuse or masseur uses long arm movements with the flat of the hand to apply gentle pressure over large areas. In this way, long muscles receive a full range of attention and blood flow is evened out.

Petrissage is a complementary technique which kneads selected areas, but still with a larger surface than in Shiatsu. Compression strokes are used in conjunction. Pressure is the ratio of force to area. As the area is increased, for a given force, the pressure is lowered. This makes Swedish petrissage less intense than Shiatsu.

Friction, applied at the correct level, warms the surface of the body, which stimulates good circulation. It also invariably accompanies the gentle pressure that causes muscles to relax.

Tapotement is the percussive tapping or light pounding traditionally associated with a massage. The technique has been seen in a hundred films and TV shows and it helps loosen muscles and provides a gentle stimulation.

Vibration is often used in concert with the other techniques. A rapid, small-movement, shaking can help limber joints and relieve stress. This differs from the small rocking movements used in other styles in which limbs are grasped and moved as a whole.

Often, a traditional Swedish massage will be carried out using oil or lotion. Some clients find the decreased friction that results pleasurable and the aromas can add to the experience. Some specialty oils that heat on contact are sometimes used, though they aren’t part of the traditional technique.

Many forms of massage, such as sports massage, deep tissue massage and others use Swedish techniques as a starting foundation. It’s usually carried out while the client wears minimal or no clothing, covered with a drape that’s uncovered a section at a time.

Systematically proceeding through different sections of the body, the massage therapist provides an overall body massage that leaves the recipient feeling relaxed. The overall mood elevation that results is a commonly reported benefit.

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