There are many different massage and physical therapy techniques which a therapist may use during a treatment, each with its own purpose or desired effect. A well-trained therapist will use a combination of these techniques during a treatment. The techniques chosen and utilised will depend on what issue the client has presented with, as well as the results of the subjective and objective assessments. Some common soft tissue therapy and massage techniques are listed below.
Effleurage
Effleurage involves smooth gliding and flowing movements and is often the first technique used on a given body part. Pressure can be varied fairly easily (making the massage feel either deep or superficial) and the pace of movement can be slow or fast. Speed is generally inversely proportionate to the pressure applied (i.e. more pressure = less speed). This technique should be applied in a nice rhythmical flow starting distally and working proximally along the muscle belly. Effleurage is generally used to apply the massage medium and warm the muscles ready for deeper techniques and it stimulates blood and lymphatic flow.
Petrissage
This is a slightly deeper tecnique than effleurage and involves kneading, applied alternating from left to right hand, lifting, squeezing, pressing and/or rolling movements. As this is quite a deep and high pressure technique, care should be taken when working near the joints. Pressure and pace can be varied and much like effleurage, a slower pace should be used with deeper harder strokes. A therapist will often employ their palms, thenar eminences, knuckles, elbows, ulnar borders and fingers or thumbs (braced with the opposite hand) during petrissage to penetrate deeper lying muscles. This technique relaxes the muscle fascia, reduces muscular tension and subsequently encourages joint range of motion (ROM).
Frictions
These can be performed either deep or superficially, however deep frictions are much more effective. Deep fictions are performed transversely (i.e. perpendicular to the direction of the muscle fibres) or in circular motions, and superficial frictions are applied longitudinally (i.e. along the direction of the tissues). Care must be taken when applying increased pressure near the joints and on tendons or ligaments. Friction techniques are typically used to treat ligaments, tendons, and fascia, but can be used successfully on muscles too. When used on muscles this technique can be very effective in breaking up fibrous adhesions (knots) and consequently help prevent the development of myositis ossificans. Frictions cause increases in local blood circulation, break down scar tissue, realigns muscle/tendon/ligament fibres and subsequently stimulates the body's healing process.
Tapotement
Tapping, hacking, cupping, beating, and pounding techniques. That rapid karate chopping motion your mate starts busting out on your upper back and shoulders while they tell you how much tension you're carrying... I jest. This is a 'fairly' common technique more often seen in the spa setting and one which is generally performed at a fast pace with short rapid repetitive movements and keeping hands loose and relaxed. This technique can be perceived as stimulating and invigorating as it activates the sympathetic nervous system. This in turn may cause slight increases in blood flow and encourage muscular reflex contractions. However, it is not a technique which we commonly use at Pinnacle Sports Massage as we believe there are far superior techniques with more bang for their buck. This one's best left in the spa with the Swedish masseurs...
Compressions
Squeezing and compressing a muscle or group of muscles before loosening the grip and allowing the muscle to relax. Pressure can be varied from light to deep and the duration that the pressure is applied can be varied too. Adding a a slight rocking motion to the compression can also encourage localised blood flow and muscle fibre lengthening. This technique is best used on larger muscle groups and the therapist will often utilise their own bodyweight to apply force. Compression techniques can also help stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system to aid relaxation and also enhance the stretch reflex in the muscles thereby reducing muscular tension. This is a very handy technique in situations where the client is not able to expose their skin and the therapist must work through clothing as it allows massage without causing any friction to the client's skin.
Vibrations
Can be performed in either a soothing (slower pace) or stimulating (faster) manner. The introduction of massage guns has made this technique a lot more accessible and user friendly for the therapist. Like frictions, vibrations are also very effective in breaking up fibrous adhesions in the muscle. Other effects of vibrations include; the stimulation of afferent nerve fibres, increases localised blood flow, relief of muscular tension, and reductions in stress.
Passive stretching
Always a nice way to start and/or finish a treatment. Passive stretching involves the therapist physically manipulating (pushing/pulling) a client into stretch positions. The therapist may use the client's other limbs to promote the stretch, or external objects such as tables, chairs and doorways to help apply a stretch. Care must be taken not to move client past their end ROM or injury may occur. Passive stretching will help improves flexibility, increase functional ROM, promote optimal mobility, reduces risk of injury and aid relaxation and stress reduction.
The above is not a definitive list of all physical therapy techniques, but some of the most effective and widely used techniques in the industry. At Pinnacle Sports Massage we select only the most appropriate and efficacious techniques for each client to ensure that we are helping you on your recovery journey. We are also constantly evolving, learning and trying new techniques to keep us at the pinnacle of the profession.
"By improving yourself, the world is made better. Be not afraid of growing too slowly. Be afraid only of standing still."
Benjamin Franklin
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