1. Therapeutic Massage

2. Purpose Manipulates the the body’s tissues to:
Reduce muscle spasm
Promote relaxation
Improve blood flow
Increase venous drainage
Broad range of massage theories, techniques, and effects

3. Contraindications Acute inflammatory conditions Severe varicose veins
Open wounds
Skin infections
Failed or incomplete fracture healing
Thrombophlebitis

4. Preparation Table Linens and pillows Massage medium Patient position
Masseuse position

5. (Fritz, 1995)

6. (Fritz, 1995)

7. Preparation
Elevate the body area
Apply massage medium to the skin

8. Types of Massage Basic Strokes: Effleurage Pétrissage Friction
Tapotement
Vibration

9. Different types of strokes
Effleurage (stroking)
Superficial or Deep
Petrissage (kneading)
Friction
Transverse or Longitudinal
Vibration
Tapotement
Percussion/slapping/hacking/beating

10. Effleurage “Stroking of the skin” Spread massage lubricant
Use at the beginning and end of the massage
Superficial:
slow strokes for relaxation
Deep:
Elongates muscle fibers
Stretches fascia
Forces fluids in the direction of the stroke
towards the heart

11. Pétrissage “Lifting and kneading” Frees adhesions:
Stretches and separates muscle fiber, fascia, and scar tissue
If only technique used, it may be performed without the use of lubricant

12. Friction “Deep pressure” Circular: Transverse Friction:
Use a circular motion with thumbs, elbow, or a commercial device
Transverse Friction:
The thumbs or fingertips stroke in opposite directions
Effects muscle mobilization, tissue separation, and trigger points

13. Tapotement “Tapping or pounding” of the skin Variations:
Hacking
Cupping
Tapping
Performed with a light, fast tempo
Promotes muscular and systemic relaxation and desensitization of irritated nerve endings

14. Vibration “Rapid Shaking” Rolling a limb between hands (arm/leg)
Increases blood flow and provides systemic invigoration of tissues
Mechanical devices available

15. Traditional Massage Sequence
Apply massage medium with light, slow
Build to deeper effleurage
Pétrissage
Wipe medium before applying deep friction (if applicable)
Reapply pétrissage and deep effleurage
End with light effleurage

16. Termination Remove medium If appropriate:
Active range of motion exercises
Compression wrap
Encourage patient to drink water to assist in flushing metabolic waste