Massage
Massage therapy is the manipulation of the soft tissue of the body to increase blood flow, overall
circulation and lymph movement. Individual benefits range from sedentary and recreational applications to
all levels in the competitive environment. It is applied for aesthetic, hygienic and therapeutic benefits. In
competitive applications, massage improves the quality of an athlete’s recovery after vigorous training
activities, relieves muscular tension and reduces overall muscular dysfunction.
Movements of massage:
Massage can be categorized in five different movements. Two are primarily associated with the intensity of
the pressure applied with the other three are more directly associated with the technique with which the
manipulation is applied.
The five movements are:
· Stroking
· Rubbing
· Kneading
· Tapping
· Vibrating
Stroking:
Of the five movements, this is the softest and most delicate. It provides for a gradual relaxation of muscle
masses. Stroking alone has no significant therapeutic effect however it is considered indispensable in
serving as a foundation to successful subsequent movements.
Stroking, applied in a broad radius with circular movement, is executed using the palm of the hand without
any discernable pressure and directed towards the heart from the lower to the upper extremities.
Rubbing:
Rubbing is practiced with the same general sense as stroking but with greater pressure. It is the basic
movement of therapeutic massage and because it causes a displacement of underlying layers of the skin it
mobilizes adherent tissue. Its secondary benefit favours the elimination of the toxic products which, can
accumulate in muscle. Rubbing is executed rhythmically, applying direct pressure with the palm of the
hand and directed towards the heart from the lower to the upper extremities. On completion of a stroke, the
hand should be raised and brought back to the initial point of departure to begin the subsequent stroke
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Distinguished by the application of intensity of pressure
Distinguished by the different technique of manipulation
of the muscle
Kneading:
Kneading is used in areas of the body where large muscle masses are present as can be found in the lower
limbs (hamstrings and quadriceps), in the hip and buttocks, and the deltoid/upper arm region.
The hands are placed transversally to the direction of the muscle fibre and the movement applied in a
rhythmic, kneading action. The action is similar to that produced by rubbing but produces a significantly
more effective result by speeding up blood and lymphatic flow than can be achieved by rubbing. Kneading
promotes increased toning and contractability in muscle fibres, as would be beneficial to preparatory
massage and the detoxification action as would be desirable in de-fatiguing massage. This benefit that
kneading massage brings to post exercise massage make is essential to recovery protocols than can be
derived from rest alone.
Tapping:
Tapping is carried out on regions of large muscle masses. Its intent is to cause muscular
constriction
followed by a reactive dilation of it. It is executed by apply a series of taps of intense pressure in rapid
succession. Taps can be applied with the ulnar side of a closed fist or open hand, with the distal phalanx of
one or more fingers or with the palm of the hand (slapping).
Vibrating:
A little used movement, difficult to execute which has now been replaced with electric vibrators.
Types of massage:
Massages are categorized under three headings. They are:
· Hygienic massage
· Sports massage
· Preparatory
· De-fatiguing
· Therapeutic massage
Hygienic Massage:
Hygienic massage constitutes stroking and to a minor extent, rubbing. It is used in a restoratory application
to increase circulation and relieves tense and tired muscles especially in sedentary individuals after a
continuous physical effort (e.g. yard work, home work project, a tiring journey, etc.). It could also to used
as a preparatory means toward moderate physical effort in a non-competitive sense.
The Sports Massage – Preparatory
The preparatory massage (competitive) should always begin with stroking followed by rubbing. The intent
would be to prepare the muscle for warm the muscle, increase blood flow in preparation for a competitive
effort and to increase their elasticity and their subsequent strength.
The Sports Massage - De-fatiguing
The de-fatiguing massage is carried out at the conclusion of competition. It should be done after the athlete
has a warm bath (with Epsom) or hot shower. De-fatiguing will utilize varying degrees of stroking as the
basis, then rubbing and kneading. The intent of this massage will be to increase tone and contractability,
minimize adherence and improve detoxification.
Therapeutic Massage:
Therapeutic massage is used in cases of traumatological and non-traumatological situations. The former
includes conditions of scarred muscular contractions, muscle sprains, after effects of dislocations, fractures,
and surgical procedures, tendon sprains, etc.) The latter includes rheumatological problems. Discussion of
