The Basics of Massage Therapy

Health & Fitness

  • Author Melissa Adamson
  • Published March 10, 2011
  • Word count 553

There are quite a number of strokes used in giving massage therapy or therapeutic massage. Each stroke is used for a specific purpose and reason. It is not based on the whim of the massage therapist. When combined, these different strokes give rise to the various massage therapy techniques that we have. Popular massage techniques include Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, sports massage, pregnancy massage, and reflexology.

A professionaltherapist hailing from Warrington shared that they use particular kinds of strokes depending on the needs of their client. For instance, Swedish massage and pregnancy massage uses gentle strokes because the aims of these massage therapy techniques is general relaxation, and also because pregnancy massage deals with the delicate needs of pregnant women. Sports massage and deep tissue massage, on the other hand, uses deep and firm pressure because of the needs of athletes and people with chronic muscle pain.

In each session of massage therapy, therapeutic massage strokes are done rhythmically with one stroke leading fluidly to the next. In general too, manipulation techniques are done firmly towards the heart, and lightly while moving away from it. This is primarily done to enhance blood flow and circulation.

Bodywork techniques can be a calming sedative and refreshing stimulant, BUT it can also be your worst nightmare if the speed and pressure with which it is applied is not right. Thus, the role of a massage therapist can not be discounted. A leading massage spa serving the areas of Warrington, Bucks County, Doylestown, Warminster, Horsham, Willow Grove, Abington, Ambler, Chalfont, New Hope, Newtown, Richboro, South Hampton, and Lansdale provides professional massage services given by licensed professional therapists.

Below are the different massage strokes that are used whenever we avail of a Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, sports massage, pregnancy massage, and reflexology.

Stroking is the simplest and most natural of all massage strokes. Simply glide hands across the body, using flat hands on the back and cupped hands on the legs and arms. The rhythmic stroking movement not only relaxes the person receiving the massage but readies the body for deeper work.

Kneading is any stroke that squeezes or grips the muscles. Together with wringing, kneading works particularly well on the shoulders, calves, thighs and buttocks.

Knuckling is often used on the upper chest and shoulders. Knuckles are pressed into the muscles and put into a rotating motion to ease tightness and tension. Knuckles can also be kept in a line and worked smoothly along the muscles, works well on the buttocks and thighs.

Tapping is mostly used in Swedish massage. It refers to a number of percussive movements. These strokes can be effective on muscles that a strained or cramped.

Friction refers to a variety of strokes that uses the fingers and thumbs to work deeply into muscles, using varying amounts pressure.

Vibration involves shaking the muscles rapidly, using flattened hands or fingers.

Next time that you go to a massage spa, you have an idea on the strokes that your therapist does on you. For best services, head to Massage Envy Warrington. Massage Envy Warrington serves the areas of Warrington, Bucks County, Doylestown, Warminster, Horsham, Willow Grove, Abington, Ambler, Chalfont, New Hope, Newtown, Richboro, South Hampton, and Lansdale

Massage Envy Warrington

1603 Main St

Warrington, PA 18976

(215) 343-3688

http://www.massageenvy.com/clinics/PA/Warrington.aspx

Contributor and web content writer for various websites for over 3 years. http://www.massageenvy.com/clinics/PA/Warrington.aspx

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