Technique:
How to perform:
Effects on body :
Used to:
C/I:
Static contact (superficial reflex technique)
Stroking: (Superficial reflex technique)
Effleurage: (Superficial fluid technique)
Using palmer surface of hands place one at C7/T1 level and the other at L5/S1 level Using palmer surfaces of hands or fingers. Above sheets or direct skin. Minimal pressure is applied and tissue is not compressed and skin is not dragged. Can be centripetal or centrifugal as it is superficial.
Using palmer surfaces of hands with fingers together or ulnar surface of forearm.
Direction is
Affects autonomic nervous system as well as the perception of touch
Begin or end a treatment and to introduce touch.
Slow strokes decrease Sympathetic N.S firing; fast strokes stimulate the Sympathetic N.S.
To begin or end a treatment.
Open/contagio us skin lesions.
Also reduces pain perception.
Spread lubricant.
If deep pressure used mechanical effects.
Begin or end a treatment and introduce therapists touch.
To warm tissue up for deeper techniques.
Open or contagious skin lesions, distal to inflammation, acute injury and edema due to thrombus.
centripetal.
If light pressure is usedreflexive circulatory effect.
It improves lymph drainage and reduces pain perception.
To spread oil/lotion. To transition from one limb to the next or one technique to the next.
To palpate for the 4T’s: temp, texture, tenderness and tone.
Technique:
How to perform:
Effects on body :
Used to:
Petrissage:
Can use palm of hands, fingertips, thumbs, ulnar border of elbow and elbow.
Increases local circulation with increase tissue drag.
Muscle stripping and skin rolling treat trigger points.
(Neuromuscula r technique):
1-Muscle squeezing
Kneading reduces hypertonicity.
2-Picking up 3-muscle stripping 4-c-scooping
Does not have to be centripetal.
5-wringing 6-skin rolling 7-kneading
Rhythmic tissue compression and release.
Slow rhythm/rate soothes, fast rhythm/rate stimulates.
Distal to varicose veins.
Skin rolling assesses superficial fascial restrictions and trigger points.
C/I: Local C/I’s to massage therapy.
Acute conditions, atrophied /atonic muscle as it can result in tissue damage.
Moderatesever varicosities.
Vibrations:
(Superficial reflex technique) 1-fine 2-course 3-static 4-running
Tapotement: (percussive technique)
Light:
One or both hands. Rhythmic forearm muscle contractions while relaxing upper arms and shoulders. Fine hand doesn’t move. Course are visible. Static hand is not gliding on tissue. Running hand glides.
Pincement: skin is lightly grabbed between thumb and fingertips.
Tapping Pincement
Heavy:
Tapping: skin is taped using fingertips
Beating & pounding
Fine vibrations are good after removing casts on limbs sensory reeducation.
Decreases SNS firing when slow and increases it when fast.
Course vibrations help loosen up mucus if applied on thorax.
Hacking: use ulnar surface of hand and hand is firm for heavy hacking and loose for light.
Open/contagio us skin lesions.
Course vibrations are not performed in cases of spastic paralysis.
Over painful areas and to promote lymphatic drainage. Compresses and releases tissue quickly.
Not used over bony prominences, kidneys, abdomen and fragile tissue.
Increases muscle tone by increasing SNS firing.
Increases local circulation
Hacking Cupping or clapping
Decrease muscle tone if applied on a tendon/muscle upto 30 seconds.
If used for 2 minutes or longer it will reduce SNS firing and muscle tone.
Mainly used to clear mucous from airways.
Open/contagio us skin lesions
Cupping: hands are cupped and fingers and thumb are together.
Rocking & Shaking
(passive movement techniques)
Beating & pounding uses loose fist (extensor surfaces of middle phalanx or ulnar border of hand) Rocking: gentle repetitive oscillation of trunk, pelvis and limbs.
Rocking: causes reflexive relaxation and stimulates proprioceptive neurons
Shaking: direct performed on the muscle
Indirect: on the distal limb
Shaking: Causes reflexive relaxation of muscle
Rocking is a joint mobilization of lower back
Rocking: Acute back injury, fusion of vertebra, pregnancy.