Massage

Massage
• Massage signifies a group of procedures,
which are usually done with hand on the
external tissue of the body in a variety of ways
either with a curative, palliative or hygienic
point of view
 Classifications
STROKING PRESSURE VIBRATING PERCUSSION
SUPERFACIAL KNEADING VIBRATING CLAPING
DEEP PETRISSAGE SHAKING HACKING
FRICTION TAPPING
BEATING
POUNDING
TENTING
 Physiological Effect
• Circulation system
massage aids in the mechanical emptying of the
veins and the lymphatic canal. It facilitates the
forward movement of the blood and lymph.
Prevent stagnation in the tissues
 Physiological Effect
• Circulation system
massage also improves the blood supply on the
area being massaged by releasing vasodilators,
activation of axon reflex, and decreasing venous
congestion.
 Physiological Effect
• Blood
massage increase red blood cells and
hemoglobin thus increase the blood ability to
carry oxygen to the tissues
 Physiological Effect
• Metabolism
By increasing the venous blood movement and
lymph, massage increase the ability of removing
the waste products of metabolism. Making the
exchange between the blood and tissue cells
more efficient.
 Physiological Effect
• Nervous system
Massage has a sedative effect on Central
Nervous System if applied monotonously and
slow in rhythm.
massage can increase the muscle tone by
stimulation of the skin receptor or stretch of the
muscle spindle. Superficial stroking, taping,
hacking etc. are commonly used for this purpose
 Physiological Effect
• Nervous system
Massage techniques can also reduce the tone of
muscle. It has been claimed that petrissage or
massage in which muscles are kneaded can
exert an inhibitory effect on motor neuron.
massage has definite reflex effect influencing the
functioning of visceral organ by modulating the
autonomic nervous system through peripheral
sensory stimulation.
 Physiological Effect
• Soft Tissues
Massage has significant effect on certain
properties of the soft tissues like elasticity,
plasticity and mobility. The adhesions present
between fibers are broken and maximum
mobility between fibers and adjacent structures
is ensured
 Physiological Effect
• Respiratory System
percussion and vibration techniques of massage
assist the removal of secretions from the larger
airways. After the removal of secretion gas
exchange becomes more efficient.
 Physiological Effect
• Skin
Massage in general improves the nutritive status
of skin, the skin temperature of skin rises.
Massage facilitates the movement of skin over
the subcutaneous structures. As a result skin
becomes soften, more supple and finer.
 Therapeutic Uses
• Improve mobility of the soft tissues.
• Reduce muscle spasm and pain under
abnormal conditions.
• Reduce oedema.
• Increase circulation.
• Mobilize secretions in the lung.
• Induce local and general relaxations.
 Contraindications
General Local
Fever Inflammation
Renal Disorders Skin injury or disease
Cardiac Disorders Recent Fracture
Osteoporosis DVT
Severe Spasticity Atherosclerosis
Radiation therapy Varicose veins
Massage Techniques
 Stroking Manipulation
• Stroking (Effleurage)
Uni-interrupted linear movement of hand along
the whole length of segment. In the direction of
the vein and lymph flow (Distal to Proximal)
• Light
• Deep
Stroke – Effleurage - Gliding
 Effects
• Enhance Circulation of blood and lymph
• Axon reflex and vasodilators release
• Improve Soft tissue mobility
• Relaxation
• Can be used to prepare muscles for other
massage technique
Lymphatic drainage is an effective massage
technique used:
• To improve the immune system
• To help defend the body from infection
• Following removal of lymph nodes
 Contraindications
• Hyperesthesia (physical sensitivity)
• Very hairy skin
• Excess edema
• Wounds and burns
 Pressure Manipulation
• Kneading
• Petrissage
• Friction
 Kneading
• the tissues are pressed down on to the
underlying firm structure and intermittent
pressure is applied in circular direction,
parallel to the long axis of bone, squeezing the
muscle then release
• Digital Kneading
• Palmar Kneading
• Reinforced Kneading
 Effect of kneeding
• Kneading is effective to decrease tension.
Kneading relieves tension in the muscle by
stretching and mobilising the muscle fibres
• Kneading manipulates the muscle fibres therefore
increasing muscle flexibility allowing an increase in
range of movement and a decrease in pain.
• Friction causes an increase in temperature and an
increase in blood circulation. An increase in blood
circulation promotes healing and a faster recovery.
 Petrissage
• the tissues are grasped and lifted away from
the underlying structures and intermittent
pressure is applied to the tissues in the
direction that is perpendicular to the long axis
of the bone
• Picking up
• Wringing
• Rolling
• Picking up (lifting) is a technique by which tissues
are compressed against their underlying
structure/s, then lifted, squeezed, and released.
• Wringing is a manipulation where the tissues are
lifted up and wrung from side to side.
• Skin rolling pulls the skin away and is gently rolled
in a continuous forward motion to separate the
skin from any muscles that may be stuck.
• Petrissage is used to increase blood
circulation. Increase blood circulation
increases temperature of the muscles allowing
them to relax. The petrissage massage
techniques pick up and squeeze muscles
stimulating capilliarisation and vasodilation in
the blood flow. Capilliarisation and
vasodiliation is the increase of number and
size of blood cells.
• Petrissage is also used to stretch and loosen
muscle fibers. Petrissage uses kneading and
squeezing tissue and muscles to relieve tension.
Squeezing a muscle can decrease muscle spasms
and relieve pain.

• Petrissage is used to increase range of movement.

When muscle fibres are stretched, the fibres are
able to move apart slightly releasing tightness and
improving flexibility.
• Skin rolling is used to loosen the skin and
separate it from the muscle. When the body is
under stress, it can produce acids which can
intensify and inflame the fascia. The fascia is a
connective tissue uniting the surface skin to
deeper underlying tissues. The fascia often
becomes inflamed due to injury or acid build,
causing pain and restricted movement. Skin
rolling can manipulate obstructions to smooth
and soothe them.
• Skin rolling can also help to decrease pain. Skin
rolling can be used to increase movement in fascia
tissue and movement. Skin rolling decreases pain
by improving movement preventing restriction.
• Skin rolling is used to relieve muscle tension by
increasing temperature of the soft tissues.
• Skin rolling is also used to increase flexibility of
soft tissues. Skin rolling helps increase flexibility by
increasing tissue elasticity and breaking down
adhesions and scar tissue.
 Friction
• the tissue is subjected to small range of to and
fro movement performed with constant deep
pressure of the finger or thumb
• Circular Friction
• Transverse Friction
 Effects
• Enhance Circulation of veins, lymph and
arteries.
• Slow rhythmic friction used to reduce
muscular tension and induce relaxation
• Mobilization of skin and soft tissues, Friction
can mobilize muscle fascia and subcutaneous
tissues
• Friction can produce histamine-like substance
 Contraindications
• Recent injuries, wounds, burns and scars
• Varicose veins
• Inflammation
• Hyperesthesia
• Undesired stimulations
 Vibratory Manipulation
• the mechanical energy is transmitted to the
body by the vibrations of the distal part of
upper limb, i.e. hand and/or fingers, which are
in constant contact with the skin.
• Vibrating: up down
• Shaking: sides
 Effects
• Movement of gases and fluids
• Sedative effect
• airways clearance
 Contraindiactions
• Same as massage
 Percussion Manipulation
• a succession of soft, gentle blows are applied over
the body, which produce a characteristic sound.
• Clapping
• Hacking
• Tapping
• Beating
• Slaping
• pounding
 Percussion (tapotement)
• When performing tapotement movements the
action originates from the wrists and not from
the elbows or shoulders, which remain still
throughout
• These strokes not recommeded to be
performed over the bony areas as they will
hurt
• claping or cupping is performed with your
palms facing downwards, forming a hollow
curve.
• Cupping is beneficial when performed over
the upper and middle back area as it loosens
mucus in the lungs
• Hacking is achieved with the edge of the
hands (the ulnar border), Flicking the hands
rhythmically up and down in rapid succession.
• it’s used to wake someone and not
recommended for relaxation
• When hacking do not tense up the fingers of
your hands
• Flicking is a movement similar to hacking and
is often described as 'finger hacking'. To
perform this movement flex your wrists
slightly and bring only the sides of your little
fingers into contact with the body
• Beating and pounding movements are both
applied with your hands in a closed position
with your fists lightly clenched.
• Beating is performed with the ulnar border
(little finger side) of the closed fists, whereas
in pounding the palmar surface of the hands
are employed.
• Beating and pounding aims to produce a
deeper effect to an area compared to other
percussion techniques
• slapping use the palm area of the hand
without cupping
• it can stimulate the sensory nerves
• tapping use the edge of the fingers for smaller
area and smaller stimulation
 Effects
• Reddening of skin produces by chemical and
reflex action
• Evacuation of the excessive secretions from air
passage, induce coughing, and enhance
drainage
• Stimulate sensory system
• Evoke stretch reflex of muscle and stimulate
the muscle
 Contraindications
• Spasticity
• Shortened muscle
• Recent injury and acute inflammation
• Hyperesthesia