Techniques
Effleurage
This can be seen as a form of massage involving stroking movements with the hands sliding over the skin, and is always used at the beginning and end of as well as in between other techniques during a massage session. The stroking technique of effleurage may be used with varying pressure and speed according to the purpose and stage of the massage. Effleurage includes light stroking, firm stroking and deep stroking. In addition, this technique is used to attract blood to the area, warm up the muscle and prepare it for the main massage techniques ahead.
Hacking
This can be summarised as a light and fast movement performed with the hands at right angles to the wrists. The fingers touch and leave the skin's surface very rapidly with the outer three fingers of each hand doing the work. Hacking is very stimulating both to the circulation and to the sensory nerve endings.
Cupping
This technique can be described as shaping the hands into a cup shape, with slightly flexing the finger and closing the hands. The hand is loosely held in this form and used to contact the client’s body softly. However, the palms of the hand should never touch the client’s body. Cupping involves making an air-tight concave shape with the hand so that, as it strikes the surface, the air caught underneath is compressed, creating a vibration that penetrates the tissues.
Transverse effleurage
This technique best suits large muscles such as the ones found in the back (latissimus dorsi). Moreover, this involves a sweeping motion to take place with the palms of the hands as well as the slight flexing of the finger. In addition, when one hand sweeps down the other should sweep up). Furthermore, you should ensure that a firm motion and grip is used throughout the execution of this technique in order to stimulate tension release and blood flow.
Stripping of the shoulder blade
This can be seen as a special technique which is typically used towards the end of a back massage. This should be performed by placing one of the client’s hands on their lower back so the shoulder blade raises slightly. Secondly you should place your hand under the front of the shoulder to pull it forwards, raising it further. Finally, using a firm palm/hand apply sustained pressure around and under the scapular of the shoulder blade. This should be repeated 2 to 5 times.
Checking of the spine/spinal vibration /spinal rocking and six point pressure
These techniques are used to establish the correct state and condition of a client’s posture in regards to their spine. In addition, this provides us with the knowing of how straight or profound the vertebrae is. This technique should be performed by placing two fingers (index and middle) at the bottom of the spine with mild pressure and working the way up to the top.
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Furthermore, Spinal vibration should be performed similarly to the last technique. Place the same two fingers at the bottom of the spine but this time move your fingers very slight but very fast. This should cause a vibration type feel for the client. You would once again, work your way
from the bottom of the spine to the top.
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Spinal rocking involves using both the top of the forearms (palms face up) with one arm positioned at the lower back and the other just below the shoulder blades and pointing straight forward. Proceeding this, one should then apply pressure on the lower back, release it, and then apply pressure to just under the shoulder blades with the other forearm. This should be repeated 3-5 times for one set.
Six Point Pressure
Finally, the six point pressure technique involves using just below the triceps and just above the elbow. You would then place pressure on the left side of the lower back, hold for 2 seconds and release. Moving on to the left side middle part of the back, applying the same pressure for 2 seconds and then releasing. Then, moving on to the top part of the left side of the back, applying the same pressure and holding for another 2 seconds before releasing. In addition, this would be repeated on the right side of the back to achieve the full six point pressure technique.