Many people think of nothing but the soothing touch of another persons hands on their body when they think of going to get a massage, but there are many different techniques that an RMT can use when you come for a treatment. I thought that I would give you an opportunity to read my blog and learn a little about some of the general names and terms used by an RMT.
Effleurage -- Gliding the hands over the skin in a smooth, continuous motion. Used to spread oil/cream and to 'warm up' the tissue. Used to relax, stretch/broaden, promote blood/lymph movement, reduces edema, improve circulation.
Petrissage -- Lifting, wringing or squeezing of the tissue in a kneading motion. Emphasis is on lifting the tissue away from the bone, rather than gliding over tissue. Increases circulation, separates muscle fibers and relaxes muscle
Fascial Work or Myofascial Release-
Fascial restrictions are areas of fascial tightness that are able to pull the body out of alignment causing decreases in motion and poor body posture and function. Work on fascia consists of engaging the area/s of restriction then stretching, softening and lengthening them. The stroke is a very slow, 'stretching' that may take some time for an effective 'release'. A fascial release may feel like an itching, burning, tearing sensation. It can be slightly uncomfortable in the moment, but the aftereffect is wonderful. Opening up and releasing fascia can help increase circulation and lymph flow; free up movement by allowing individual muscles to contract fully, and glide along each other better. Fascial work can make us feel looser, taller, longer, warmer.
Friction -- Motion that moves one layer of tissue over another repeatedly. Warms tissue, breaks up deposits, loosen scar tissue, increases circulation and promotes joint flexibility.
Tapotement -- A series of many brisk, percussive movements. The movements are rapid and the hands bounce off the surface. Used to stimulate through nervous system response. Helps promote muscle tone, tissue repair, increases circulation.
Trigger points-- or trigger sites are described as hyper irritable spots in skeletal muscle that are associated with palpable nodules in taut bands of muscle fibers. [1] Trigger point practitioners believe that palpable nodules are small contraction knots[ambiguous] and a common cause of pain. Compression of a trigger point may elicit local tenderness, referred pain, or local twitch response. The local twitch response is not the same as a muscle spasm. This is because a muscle spasm refers to the entire muscle entirely contracting whereas the local twitch response also refers to the entire muscle but only involves a small twitch, no contraction.
The trigger point model states that unexplained pain frequently radiates from these points of local tenderness to broader areas, sometimes distant from the trigger point itself. Practitioners claim to have identified reliable referred pain patterns, allowing practitioners to associate pain in one location with trigger points elsewhere.
I hope these help you out with your next visit to your local RMT!
Enjoy!
Hi Sarah!
ReplyDeleteI like the way you've used layman terms to describe some of the techniques we use. We will have to communicate the basics of what we're doing with our clients, and I think some of the above terminology will come in handy. We can also use some of this jargon at our Treatment Plan and Technique stations, where I believe we have to verbalize such material in layman's terms. Thank you!