5 Types Of Massage Techniques To Help You Relax!

Different massage techniques use at least one or a combination of these five basic massage movements—effleurage, kneading, tapping, rubbing, and vibration. And that is all you need to ...

Different massage techniques use at least one or a combination of these five basic massage movements—effleurage, kneading, tapping, rubbing, and vibration. And that is all you need to enter a state of complete relaxation.

1. Kneading

Kneading or petrissage is perhaps the most recognisable and the easiest type of massage technique. Along with stretching and squeezing, kneading involves the use of the thumbs or the palms to apply pressure to different parts of the body.

Whether you’re a pro athlete looking for a specialised massage for sore muscles or just an everyday couch potato looking to get a free massage out of your younger sibling, kneading will likely be their go-to massage technique.

The tricky part about kneading though is not just the intensity but also the speed at which pressure is applied to the muscles. So if you’re enjoying the pressure of the massage technique but are uncomfortable anyway, chances are it’s because your therapist is going too fast for you.

If kneading causes any sort of discomfort, it should be stopped immediately. It’s better to begin slowly using light pressure and then pick it up from there.

How does kneading help in a body massage?

Kneading pulls the muscle away from the bone, which helps to reduce muscle spasms. Like most massage techniques, kneading relieves knots and improves muscular function. It also increases tissue elasticity. Kneading is the perfect stress buster after an energetic workout because it delays the onset of muscle soreness and helps you recover faster.

2. Effleurage

Effleurage is also yet another common massage technique. It involves applying little amounts of pressure consistently and throughout the body.

The hands remain flat as they glide over the body. The effleurage massage technique is not advisable during a dry massage session. It is usually used at the beginning and at the end of a massage.

At the beginning of the massage, effleurage eases the muscles for the more intense techniques that are to follow. A massage therapist will use light and soothing strokes in a circular motion on the skin while keeping the hands flat open. Effleurage is typically used in a Swedish massage.

How does effleurage help in a body massage?

Effleurage is effective because it increases blood flow, stimulates lymphatic drainage, and promotes relaxation.

The friction caused by this massage technique increases the body’s temperature and helps relax muscle cells. It also releases endorphins, the feel-good hormones, which reduce anxiety and stress levels.

3. Rubbing

This involves both thumbs moving in a circular pattern to apply pressure to the problem areas of the body.

Such a movement stimulates blood circulation and also treats muscle and joint pain. Rubbing is particularly effective in healing smaller, more specific parts of the body. Imagine being uncomfortable in the bottom left part of your back. Or, the top of the left knee. Rubbing is the massage technique your therapist will likely use.

When greater pressure is applied, rubbing as a massage technique is used for a deep tissue massage. It helps to relieve stiffness and reduce discomfort in the deeper layers of the muscle tissues.

How does Rubbing help in a body massage?

Rubbing is often used to break scar tissues, which then produces healthy tissue by realigning tendon fibres.

These fibres make up the tendons, which connect the muscles to the bones in the body. When tendons get injured, they can cause a lot of pain. Rubbing helps decrease agony caused by injured tendons and makes mobility easier.

4. Tapping

Also known as tapotement, in this massage technique the therapist moves their hands swiftly to tap different parts of the body, especially the back, buttocks, and thighs.

There are two types of tapping involved in a massage. The therapist’s hands are either cupped so that only the edges of the palm and the fingertips tap the skin, or the skin is tapped with the hands laid side by side.

The massage therapist will always tap rhythmically and rapidly.

How does tapping help in a body massage?

Tapping is highly efficient in revitalizing tired and sore muscles. Which is why sports persons prefer it.

It relieves tension-related headaches and increases blood flow. Tapping is also known to help rejuvenate cells and make the immune system more robust.

5. Shaking

Shaking is quite similar to tapping because it also involves rhythm. The therapist employs this massage technique by shaking the muscles at a fairly fast speed—not dissimilar to a vibration going through that particular area.

Shaking usually does not involve a lot of pressure because it’s supposed to provide the muscles and nerves with a soothing sensation. It is ideal for someone who cannot tolerate a high level of pain.

How does shaking help in a body massage?

Shaking or vibration improves muscle relaxation and nerve function. It can not only affect the external body parts such as the back and shoulders but also the muscles. This massage technique is also used to treat muscle tightness.

Every different type of massage technique has a specific purpose. To make the most of your massage session, it is crucial that you tell your therapist about the problems you’re facing, any aches and pains you have, or any health conditions you are suffering from. It is also important that you communicate with your therapist during the massage and tell them how a particular massage technique is working for you. This is especially important to raise the red flag when you’re hurting so the therapist can alter their massage technique to get you the best results._Different massage techniques use at least one or a combination of these five basic massage movements—effleurage, kneading, tapping, rubbing, and vibration. And that is all you need to enter a state of complete relaxation.

1. Kneading

Kneading or petrissage is perhaps the most recognisable and the easiest type of massage technique. Along with stretching and squeezing, kneading involves the use of the thumbs or the palms to apply pressure to different parts of the body.

Whether you’re a pro athlete looking for a specialised massage for sore muscles or just an everyday couch potato looking to get a free massage out of your younger sibling, kneading will likely be their go-to massage technique.

The tricky part about kneading though is not just the intensity but also the speed at which pressure is applied to the muscles. So if you’re enjoying the pressure of the massage technique but are uncomfortable anyway, chances are it’s because your therapist is going too fast for you.

If kneading causes any sort of discomfort, it should be stopped immediately. It’s better to begin slowly using light pressure and then pick it up from there.

How does kneading help in a body massage?

Kneading pulls the muscle away from the bone, which helps to reduce muscle spasms. Like most massage techniques, kneading relieves knots and improves muscular function. It also increases tissue elasticity. Kneading is the perfect stress buster after an energetic workout because it delays the onset of muscle soreness and helps you recover faster.

2. Effleurage

Effleurage is also yet another common massage technique. It involves applying little amounts of pressure consistently and throughout the body.

The hands remain flat as they glide over the body. The effleurage massage technique is not advisable during a dry massage session. It is usually used at the beginning and at the end of a massage.

At the beginning of the massage, effleurage eases the muscles for the more intense techniques that are to follow. A massage therapist will use light and soothing strokes in a circular motion on the skin while keeping the hands flat open. Effleurage is typically used in a Swedish massage.

How does effleurage help in a body massage?

Effleurage is effective because it increases blood flow, stimulates lymphatic drainage, and promotes relaxation.

The friction caused by this massage technique increases the body’s temperature and helps relax muscle cells. It also releases endorphins, the feel-good hormones, which reduce anxiety and stress levels.

3. Rubbing

This involves both thumbs moving in a circular pattern to apply pressure to the problem areas of the body.

Such a movement stimulates blood circulation and also treats muscle and joint pain. Rubbing is particularly effective in healing smaller, more specific parts of the body. Imagine being uncomfortable in the bottom left part of your back. Or, the top of the left knee. Rubbing is the massage technique your therapist will likely use.

When greater pressure is applied, rubbing as a massage technique is used for a deep tissue massage. It helps to relieve stiffness and reduce discomfort in the deeper layers of the muscle tissues.

How does Rubbing help in a body massage?

Rubbing is often used to break scar tissues, which then produces healthy tissue by realigning tendon fibres.

These fibres make up the tendons, which connect the muscles to the bones in the body. When tendons get injured, they can cause a lot of pain. Rubbing helps decrease agony caused by injured tendons and makes mobility easier.

4. Tapping

Also known as tapotement, in this massage technique the therapist moves their hands swiftly to tap different parts of the body, especially the back, buttocks, and thighs.

There are two types of tapping involved in a massage. The therapist’s hands are either cupped so that only the edges of the palm and the fingertips tap the skin, or the skin is tapped with the hands laid side by side.

The massage therapist will always tap rhythmically and rapidly.

How does tapping help in a body massage?

Tapping is highly efficient in revitalizing tired and sore muscles. Which is why sports persons prefer it.

It relieves tension-related headaches and increases blood flow. Tapping is also known to help rejuvenate cells and make the immune system more robust.

5. Shaking

Shaking is quite similar to tapping because it also involves rhythm. The therapist employs this massage technique by shaking the muscles at a fairly fast speed—not dissimilar to a vibration going through that particular area.

Shaking usually does not involve a lot of pressure because it’s supposed to provide the muscles and nerves with a soothing sensation. It is ideal for someone who cannot tolerate a high level of pain.

How does shaking help in a body massage?

Shaking or vibration improves muscle relaxation and nerve function. It can not only affect the external body parts such as the back and shoulders but also the muscles. This massage technique is also used to treat muscle tightness.

Every different type of massage technique has a specific purpose. To make the most of your massage session, it is crucial that you tell your therapist about the problems you’re facing, any aches and pains you have, or any health conditions you are suffering from. It is also important that you communicate with your therapist during the massage and tell them how a particular massage technique is working for you. This is especially important to raise the red flag when you’re hurting so the therapist can alter their massage technique to get you the best results.