MASSAGE
DEFINITION
• Group of procedures
• Done with hands
• On external tissue of the body
• With a curative, palliative point in view
OR
• Scientific manipulation of the soft tissue of the body
FEATURES
• Should apply mechanical force to the soft tissue
• Change should not produce any change in the joint position
• Must evoke physiological or psychological effect
• To achieve therapeutic, restorative or preventive goal
DEFINITION
• Any technique, be it manual or mechanical, which imparts mechanical
energy to the soft tissue of the body through the skin without
producing any change in the position of the joint, in order top elicit
certain physiological or psychological effect which can be utilized for
the therapeutic, restorative or preventive purposes either on sick or
healthy individual can be defined as massage
Classification of Massage
• On the basis of classification of massage:
Massage
Means of
Character of Depth of tissue Part of the
application of
techniques approached body massage
pressure
General
Stroking Light massage Manual
massage
Pressure Deep massage Local massage mechanical
Percussion
Vibration
On the basis of character of techniques
Massage
Stroking Pressure Percussion Vibration
Superficial Clapping Vibration
Kneading Petrissage Friction
Deep or Hacking
effleurage Picking up Circular Shaking
Palmer
Wringing Transverses Tapping
Digital
ironing Skin Beating
rolling
Pounding
Tenting
Contact heel
percussion
Stroking Manipulations
• Linear movement of relaxed hand along whole length: “STROKES”
• Even pressure is applied
• Repeated in rhythmical way
Stroking Manipulations
• According to amount and direction of pressure: divided into 2:
1. Superficial: proximal to distal or vice versa, without any pressure
2. Effleurage: in direction of venous and lymphatic drainage, with
moderate pressure
Pressure Manipulations
• Therapist hand and patient skin move together
• Deep pressure
• Technique directed towards deeper tissue
• Aim: maximum mechanical movement of different fibers with
application of maximum pressure
• According to patient tolerance
Pressure Manipulations
• Depending upon type and direction of pressure divided into:
1. Kneading
2. Petrissage
3. Friction
Pressure Manipulations
1. Kneading:
• Tissue pressed down on underlying-firm-structure
• Intermittent pressure in circular direction, parallel to long axis of bone
• Therapist hand contact with patient body is never interrupted
Pressure Manipulations
1. Kneading:
Different techniques:
Digital Kneading: Pressure applied with fingers or thumb
Palmer Kneading: pressure applied with palm
Reinforced/ironing: both hands one over other, lower hand receives
reinforcement from other hand
1. Kneading
Pressure Manipulations
2. Petrissage:
• Tissue is grasped and lifted away from underlying structures
• Intermittent pressure is applied
• Direction: perpendicular to long axis of bone
Pressure Manipulations
2. Petrissage:
• Different techniques:
Picking up: tissues lifted away from underlying structures, squeezed
and released with one or both hand
Wringing: lifted using both hands, squeezed, twisted and the released
Skin rolling: skin and fascia lifted with both hands, rolled
2. Petrissage:
Pressure Manipulations
3. Friction:
• Tissue subjected to small range of to and fro movement
• Performed with constant deep pressure of finger or thumb
• Different techniques:
Circular: direction of movement circular
Transverse: to and fro movement across the length of structure, also
known as cross-fibre massage
Pressure Manipulations
Vibratory Manipulation
• Energy is transmitted to the body by vibrations with hands and finger
• Using body weight and generalized co-contraction of upper limb
muscles
• Usually directed towards the lung and other hollow cavities
Vibratory Manipulation
• Depending upon the direction and frequency it is divided into 2:
1. Vibrations: fine vibrations, fine movements of hand in upwards and
downwards direction
2. Shaking: coarse vibrations are produced, produce movement of
hand in sideway direction
Percussion/Tapotement Manipulation
• Succession of sound, gentle blows are applied over the body
• Produce characteristic sound
• Performed at regular intervals
Percussion/Tapotement Manipulation
• Techniques:
1. Clapping Cupped palm
2. Hacking ulnar borders of 5th, 4th and 3rd digits
3. Beating Anterior aspect of the clenched fist
4. Tapping Pulp of the fingers
5. Pounding Medial aspect of the clenched fist
On the basis of depth of Tissue
Approached
• Light massage:
Light force
Effect of massage to superficial tissue only
Eg: stroking, tapping
• Deep massage:
Moderate to deep force
Deeper tissue like muscle
Eg: friction, kneading
On the basis of Region Massaged
• General massage:
Applied to whole body
Large body segment: back, lower limb
• Local Massage:
Applied to a particular area of the body
Treat local pathological conditions
Eg: friction to lateral segment following sprain
On the basis of Administration of
technique
• Manual massage:
Through therapist hands
Eg: classical massage
• Mechanical massage:
Using mechanical device to administer mechanical energy to the
body
Eg: vibrator, pneumatic massage, etc
