In summary, the 5 types of Swedish techniques are effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, friction and vibration, which promote circulation and softening of connective tissue. Effleurage: This technique involves the long movement of sliding and stroking the hands on the body. This helps reduce tension in the muscles and can fluctuate between light and medium pressures. Effleurage consists of long, extensive movements around the massage area.
The massage therapist uses these sweeping movements to warm up the body and find any knots that need to be broken. They also apply different light and hard pressures to get rid of those knots and warm everyone up. Petrissage is the technique that involves kneading muscles. This is where you start to reach more specific areas and go deep into those muscles, targeting the fascia or connective tissue.
Monday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m Sun 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. 24 Hour Cancellation Policy Petrissage refers to kneading, rolling and twisting tissue with the massage therapist's thumbs and knuckles.
Since it works very well to release muscle knots, petrissage is often used abundantly during deep tissue massages. Other benefits of petrissage include increased blood flow and lymphatic drainage in the area of the body being worked on. Friction is also one of the most common massaging movements used to loosen muscle knots. The massage therapist will rub both hands in quick movements along the part of the body being worked on to generate heat and help the muscles relax and rest.
The tapotement consists of the masseuse gently and rhythmically hitting the body with his fists, the side of the hands or the cupped hands. Vibration involves the massage therapist using the fingertips or heel of the hand to perform a back and forth motion on the skin. It can be done quickly or slowly, depending on your personal preferences and the purpose of the massage.