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Most common massage is Swedish massage. Swedish massage refers to a collection of techniques designed primarily to relax muscles by applying pressure to them against deeper muscles and bones, and rubbing in the same direction as the flow of blood returning to the heart. A four basic techniques that are used are: Effleurage- long soothing stokes; Petrissage - the fingers or thumbs create friction while traveling a given area; Friction- uses kneading or brisk rubbing; Tapotement - uses hacking, cupping, tapping. These techniques may be used in a light, medium or heavy.
Therapeutic Massage incorporates a combination of gentle, firm, and/or deep stroking patterns on the superficial and deep muscle tissues.
Sports massage focuses on the muscles relevant to the particular athletic activity, include pre-event, post-event and maintenance techniques that promote greater athletic endurance and performance, lesson chances of injury and reduce recovery time.
Shiatsu, is a traditional Japanese finger pressure massage. It is a system based on the body's energy meridians, involves pressing points on the body and stretching and opening of the meridians. The dispersing of excess or blocked energy can promote circulation to deficient or underactive areas, and restore balance. The emphasis is to see the motion of energy and to respond to it clearly and positively.
Myofascial release is used to evaluate and treat restrictions in the body's contractile connective tissues (muscles) and non-contractile supportive connective tissues (fascia) by the application of gentle traction, pressures and positioning.
Manual lymphatic drainage blends soothing, gentle, rhythmical, precise massage-like movements to accelerate the flow of lymphatic fluid in the body.
Deep tissue massage is used to release chronic muscle tension through slower strokes and more direct pressure or friction applied across the grain of the muscles. A kind of treatment depends on you primary illness, whishes or experience of yours massage therapist.
If you practice massage as a home healing method, remember this: Never do percussive (pounding) techniques on kidneys. Also, avoid digging deep into the arm pits. These areas could be accidentally injured with too much pressure. What can you do? And what are the principles of back massage. This is a short version. First, you must find someone who will let you practice on her/him! Probably that want be the problem. Then ask your partner to remove their shirt and lay on the floor in places you already prepared with couch or futon type cushion. Kneel beside them, and warm in hands little bit of vegetable oil. This will be a lubricant between your hands and their skin. Now, you can start a massage. Swedish massage is best for beginners. Use first Effleurage then Petrissage and friction. Finish with Tapotement. I suggest that you begin with light pressure, but it all depends on partner's wishes. Don't forget to use weight and not to strain your own back.
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