Techniques of Massage

Effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, friction, and vibration. 

Every great artist has an awareness of their trade.  They are great because they have a relationship with the tools used to make their masterpiece.  The art of massage is broken into five basic techniques: Effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, friction, and vibration. 

These are smooth gliding techniques traditionally used to apply lubricant to a client’s body, but with greater exploration and development can be transformed into incredible applications of massage.

When translated from French this term roughly means to knead.  In the application of massage, it is defined as kneading, squeezing, lifting, shaking, wringing, and rolling.

Easily one of the most underused techniques used in our industry, tapotement is the rhythmic application of tapping, drumming, slapping, and hacking using the therapist’s hands or an apparatus.

Friction is performed by massaging in circles or by utilizing cross-fiber friction.

This manifests when the therapist rapidly presses then releases pressure on a specific point.  Vibration is often employed using electronic tools.

They are time wasting techniques that do not contribute to the narrative of the massage. They often offer little to no reward and should be avoided in a massage session.

These are techniques that may be rewarding in the right context, but when used improperly are considered junk moves.

This is when the massage therapist is present and focused enough to perform a massage movement in its totality. A complete movement feels whole and satisfactory.

This is when a massage movement stops before providing the maximum reward for the client. An incomplete movement feel unfulfilling, and sloppy.

These are a series of techniques used in tandem to encourage a desired result.  The steps and order of a micro-formula is important and changing them should always have a reason. 
A single micro-formula should never occupy a majority of the massage time.  It needs to be short and sweet. 

These are medium to long term plans throughout a session, and sometimes they may be over the course of several sessions.  Each strategy is built from one or more tactics.  The strategies used should be selected based on the needs of each client as your attempt to fulfill their supporting and core goals.

These are short to medium term plans throughout a session.  Each tactic is comprised of two or more micro-formulas or techniques.

Similar to a business plan a massage should have goals.  They are divided into three categories: Support, Core, and Powerful.

The core goals of a session are what the client wants to achieve.  These goals must be met if we expect the client to feel satisfied.  If the client’s core goals are unreasonable it is our responsibility to inform them so more realistic expectations may be set. 

The supporting goals of a massage are the goals of specific tactics and techniques.

This is an intangible goal of the massage therapist that congruently assists in achieving the core goal of the massage.  It is the energy that permeates every session and encapsulates the therapist’s need to guide others toward peace. Every massage therapist should know what drives them to help others.  They must have an intimate relationship with their own spirit and purpose.  In business this manifest as grit, but in massage it is ardor.  This is their enthusiasm, positive focus, and passion.  Ardor is eager, warm, intense, and driven. A massage therapist without ardor is listless, bitter, and broken.  Once their powerful goal has been consumed by the meat grinder their existence becomes sterile, stale, and boring.  Ultimately it ends with them becoming a vampire of massage.

Ardor is enthusiasm that encourages liveliness in others. Ardor is eager, warm, intense, and driven. A massage therapist without ardor is listless, bitter, and broken.

We must have a sober drive constructed from reason, conviction, and sincerity.  We must let go of our zeal, because it leads to tyranny, social awkwardness, and alienation.

Many massage therapists obsessed with modalities do so with religious fervor.  This sinks their feet into concrete and anchors them to the floor.  As therapists we must be quick, adaptable, and able to move with the currents of life.

Step away from your zeal and pursue something real.  Resurrect the enthusiasm you once experienced and allow it to guide your heart.  Enthusiasm operates under the guidance of reason and conscience, and it encourages liveliness.

Reaching the cusp of excellence requires more than earnestness and enthusiasm.  We must also study our skills and explore the nuances of our most effective techniques.