Chair massage benefits employees and employers.
May 13, 2008
This Austin TX company, StresSolutions did a great video on the benefits of chair massage in the work place.
Trigger Point Therapy Orlando
May 13, 2008
This can also be called pressure point massage. [5] A trigger point is an area of a muscle (about 50 cells) that may refer pain sensations to other parts of the body. Manual pressure is applied to these points. This work was founded by Dr. Janet G. Travell, U.S. President John F. Kennedy’s physician and David Simons. This work can be incorporated into other styles of massage therapy such as neuromuscular therapy (NMT) or Swedish.
Trigger points are described as hyperirritable spots in skeletal muscle that are associated with palpable nodules in taut bands of muscle fibers. The palpable nodules are said to be small contraction knots and a common cause of pain. Compression of a trigger point may elicit local tenderness, referred pain, or local twitch response.
The trigger point model states that most unexplained pain radiates from these points of local tenderness, suggesting that therapy should be addressed to the relevant trigger points. Many chiropractors and massage therapists find the model useful in practice, however the trigger point theory is not widely accepted by the medical community at large.[
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massage
Deep Tissue Massage Orlando
May 13, 2008
Deep tissue techniques are generally designed for more focused massage work. Working a specific joint, muscle or muscle group, the practitioner can access deeper layers of the soft tissue. Starting superficially and easing into the depth of the muscle slowly often allows more movement. If the pressure is applied too deeply or too quickly, the muscle may tighten to protect that area, and unnecessary damage or inflammation can be induced. Very little lubricant is used as the pressure doesn’t travel much over the skin.
The most commonly used ‘tools’ during deep tissue massage may include, 3 and 6 fingers, reinforced fingers, knuckles, a flat elbow, opposing thumbs, the heel of the hand or foot, and the forearm. Deep tissue is similar to Myofascial Release.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massage
Petrissage
May 13, 2008
Petrissage are massage movements with applied pressure which are deep and compress the underlying muscles. Kneading, wringing, skin rolling and pick-up-and-squeeze are the petrissage movements.[1] They are all performed with the padded palmar surface of the hand, the surface of the finger and also the thumbs.
When kneading the hands should be moulded to the area and the movements should be slow and rhythmical.
Knuckling is another form of kneading but using the knuckles to knead and lift in circular and upwards motions.
Scissoring is another petrissage movement that is performed only over a flat area with very little pressure. The index and middle fingers of both hands are only used for this movement. They are placed opposite each other and then are slowly worked towards each other lifting and releasing as they go.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petrissage
Video demonstrating Petrissage
Effleurage
May 13, 2008
Effleurage, a French word meaning “to skim” or “to touch lightly on”, is a series of massage strokes used in Swedish massage to warm up the muscle before deep tissue work using petrissage.
This is a soothing, stroking movement used at the beginning and the end of the facial and/or body massage. It is also used as a linking move between the different strokes and movements.
Effleurage can be firm or light without dragging the skin and is performed using either the padded parts of the finger tips or the palmar surface of the hands, and works as a mechanical pump on the body to encourage venous and lymphatic return. It consists of four sub-categories:
1. Ethereal or Aura strokes.
2. Feathering, or nerve-stroking.
3. Superficial Effleurage.
3. Deeper Effleurage.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effleurage
Video demonstrating Effleurage
Swedish Massage Orlando
May 13, 2008
This style utilizes long, flowing strokes, often but not necessarily in the direction of the heart. There are six basic strokes: effleurage from the French effleurer, ‘to skim over’, petrissage from the French pétrir, ‘to knead’, friction, tapotement, compression, and vibration. Petrissage is a kneading movement with the whole palm or finger tips, using wringing, skin rolling, compression, and/or lifting. Petrissage is usually applied vertically to the muscle tissue. Oil, cream, or lotion is applied on the skin to reduce friction and allow smooth strokes. Effleurage consists of long, flowing or gliding strokes, performed with open hands. In many massage sessions, effleurage is used as the initial type of stroking, as it has a calming effect when performed slowly. Swedish massage has shown to be helpful in reducing pain, joint stiffness, and improving function in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee over a period of eight weeks.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massage
Video demonstating basic Swedish massage techniques
Tapotement
May 13, 2008
Tapotement is a specific stroke used in Swedish massage technique. It is a rhythmic percussion, most frequently administered with the edge of the palm or the heel of the hand. It is primarily used as a stimulating stroke, or for cramped muscles.The name of the stroke is taken from the French word “Tapoter”, meaning to tap or to drum.
