To learn how to give a massage, learn Effleurage
If you are learning to give a massage, you will most likely start to learn the Swedish style of massage. This is the most common style of massage therapy. Within this style, the most common massage technique is effleurage.
Effleurage is most often performed with the palm of the hand in long stroking motions, although the forearm can also be used. It will not use the cutting motions seen in some old movies as part of effleurage. Effleurage can be done lightly, which provides light stimulation. Or more pressure can be applied that will go deeper into the muscles and help flush out toxins by making circulation move better.
These strokes can achieve different effects depending on the amount of pressure you apply. The aforementioned soothing and relaxing stroke may be the kind that is given for a more sensual massage. As the pressure increases, the different layers under the skin will be affected and work their way down to the muscle.
When you start to practice the massage, you will most likely start with the person being massaged lying on their stomach. In this position, standing next to your head, you will place your palms on your upper back on both sides of your spine. It will then go down your back to your buttocks in a long relaxing motion that is the effleurage massage technique. Use a little pressure as you trace, making sure your guinea pig tells you if it is uncomfortable or if the pressure is too much. You do not want to lean with your full weight on the blows, but you do need to apply some firm pressure.
This is perhaps the most basic of all the types of massage you can give. Also, as you learn to give a massage, you learn many different types of stroking. These can include the rocking horse, shingles, and bilateral tree strokes, among many others, especially if branching out into other massage styles such as shiatsu.
Keep in mind that different parts of the body require different amounts of pressure as you learn to massage. While it’s okay to put a little pressure on your large back muscles, you shouldn’t put that same kind of pressure on your shin or knees. As you make long strokes down your leg, you will use the space between your thumb and fingers to pass over the shin with your thumb and fingers on each side applying pressure.
Copyright 2007, Sandra K.
