|
Effleurage is the most basic massage movement and is often
used as a linking movement by which the therapist maintains contact with
the client while
smoothly transfering from one movement or area of the body to the next.
Effleurage is suitable for use any area of the body that
would normally be massaged (that is, avoiding any areas in which massage
is contra-indicated).
The word "effleurage" is derived from the french verb "effleurer" which
means "to stroke", or "to skim over". These translations are basically
correct, but incomplete, descriptions of the effleurage technique used
in massage.
An effleurage movement is a relatively slow and smoothly continuous stroke
using the flat of the hand. The fingers are generally held together and
moulded to the contour of the client's body in a relaxed way. Although
the fingers preceed the palm of the hand as it is moved along the body,
and they do apply some pressure, most of the pressure during this movement
is applied by
the palm of the
hand.
Even pressure is applied during effleurage. The amount of pressure
may differ between the outward and return strokes - generally with
more pressure
applied in the direction towards the heart, then slightly less in the
return movement back to repeat the sequence. However, the speed of the
motion should remain steady throughout the whole sequence.
An effleurage
movement is usually repeated several times over the same area on the
body. This is to induce relaxation, and also the physical
benefits of effleurage, which can include: Stimulating the nerves in
the tissues worked; stimulating blood supply to the tissues worked;
facilitating cleansing of the skin; relaxing muscle fibres, and reducing
muscle tension.
Contact must
be maintained throughout the whole sequence - so, for example, a therapist
would not take her hands off a client during a seuence of 3 effleurage
strokes, as each stroke moves smoothly and continuously into the next.
This Section consists of short summaries about the
classical massage movements. This list is not exhaustive and visitors
are encouraged to supplement their study by reading many different sources.
For more general information about Massage see
the sections about:
Massage, Indian
Head Massage, Aromatherapy,
Carrier
Oils, Business
Development ideas for New Therapists. |
|
|
