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Massage is an ancient therapy used by the Chinese in 3000BC. From China it spread to the other nations of the old world. In 460BC Hippocrates even said that all physicians should have experience of the techniques of rubbing (massage).

Fast forward to 1813 and The Royal Central Institute was established in Stockholm, Sweden. It was at this institute that the known massage movements were studied scientifically. This was the most important single development in the field in modern times. It is , also, the reason why remedial massage is often called Swedish Massage.

Massage is a scientific method of manipulating the soft tissues of the body. Its objective is the restoration of function and re-establishment of the contours.

The fundamental massage movements are effleurage, petrissage, friction, tapotement and vibration. These movements are the framework on which the massage therapist perfects his craft.

Effleurage is the gentle stroke that is normally used at both the beginning and the end of a massage. It allows the patient to become accustomed to the therapist's touch.

The main value of effleurage is the increase of blood and lymph circulation.

Petrissage strokes are the opposite of effleurage. Basically petrissage strokes attempt to life the muscle mass and wring or squeeze it gently. Different forms of petrissage are used and these include kneading, pincement, squeezing and wringing.

The benefits of petrissage are the removal of waste products throught the increase of circulation, stimulation of the skin and deep and superficial tissues. Petrissage also help to soften and relax hard and contracted muscles.

Friction, when used correctly, allows the therapist to work into the deeper tissues gradually. A trained therapist will judge how far to go by the patient's reaction. Friction is performed by small circular movements with the tips of the fingers, thumbs or heel of the hand depending on the area covered. Friction is used to massage deep into the joint spaces or around bony prominences such as the patella. It is especially usefull around a well healed scar to break down adhesions between the skin and tissues beneath it.

The benefits of friction are to soften fibrous thickening and to stimulate circulation which results in a fresh supply of blood to the affected part of the body.

Tapotement is any series of brisk blows following each other in a rapid fashion. This includes hacking, cupping, slapping, beating, tapping and pincement. Tapotement is used when stimulation is desired. Tapotement is generally not used for a relaxing massage, but has an important role in sports massage.

The benefits of tapotement are varied. When it is performed lightly for a short period tapotement causes a contraction of the superficial vessels. When given heartily for a longer period tapotement causes a dilation of the vessels and redness of the skin. Tapotement also assists in burning up fatty deposits.

Vibration is carried out by placing the fingertips on the parts to be massaged and shaking with trembling, pressing movements. The entire hand is used when vibrating large surfaces such as the abdomen. The purpose must be gentle and rhymical.

The benefits of vibration are that it relieves pain and assists in loosening scar tissue.

So in the words of Hippocrates, the father of medicine, "The Physician must be experienced in many things but assuredly in rubbing for rubbing can bind a joint that is too loose or loosen a joint that is too tight." Massage is definitely one of the healing arts.

Learn more about this author, Louanne Cox.
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