1. Copyright © 2013 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Chapter 13 Swedish Massage Techniques

2. Copyright © 2013 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Topic 13–1: Effleurage Effleurage: long, gliding stroke delivered with light, medium, deep pressure that follows direction of muscle fibers. –Often first applied to a body area. –Spread lubricant; warm muscles in anticipation of deeper work; assess general condition of client’s tissue. –Applied toward heart. –Connects massage of different body areas; provides flowing transition between techniques.

3. Copyright © 2013 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Topic 13–1: Effleurage Effects of Effleurage –Vary depending on stroke’s depth, speed, direction. –Activation of parasympathetic nervous system response important benefit of Swedish massage. –Associated with rest-and-recover response. –Helps body deal with stress, decreases symptoms associated with digestive upset, reduces pain.

4. Copyright © 2013 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Topic 13–1: Effleurage Effects of Effleurage –Rubs off dead skin cells; creates pliability in skin. –Encourages local circulation and lymph flow. –Aids tissue recovery and reduces muscle soreness. –Contraindicated for any condition generally contraindicated for massage and over open skin lesions or skin diseases.

5. Copyright © 2013 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Topic 13–1: Effleurage Application of Effleurage –Palm of hand, fingertips, edge of hand, forearms, knuckles, thumbs used to apply effleurage strokes. –Choice depends on desired depth and body area. –See Technique 18: Effleurage.

6. Copyright © 2013 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Topic 13–1: Effleurage Application of Effleurage –Undrape the area. –Place moderate amount of lubricant in your hand. –Warm lubricant; apply it to area in long stroke that begins at bottom of area (distal), travels to top of area (proximal), returns to bottom of area (distal) without losing contact with client.

7. Copyright © 2013 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Topic 13–1: Effleurage Application of Effleurage –Have your hands open so that entire surface of palms and fingers contact client’s tissue. –Feel fullness of tissue. –Notice temperature or texture changes in tissue.

8. Copyright © 2013 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Topic 13–1: Effleurage Application of Effleurage –Visualize direction of muscle fibers running under skin; imagine sinking your hands into that muscle. –As tissue begins to warm up, increase depth of stroke. –Never force your hands into unyielding tissue.

9. Copyright © 2013 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Topic 13–1: Effleurage Application of Effleurage –Relax and drop into tissue using weight of your body rather than strength of your arm muscles or tense wrists. –Pay attention to rhythm and speed of your stroke. –As you slow down or speed up, client’s breathing pattern changes.

10. Copyright © 2013 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Topic 13–1: Effleurage Application of Effleurage –Slow down; explore how slow you can make your stroke. –Lighten pressure of stroke; explore how soft you can make stroke. –Concentrate pressure of stroke; explore how deep you can sink into tissue.