Massage Strokes

Question 1

Name 3 contraindications of effleurage (按撫法).

Answer 1

• pitted / marked edema
• gross swellings
• open wounds

Question 2

What are the general effects of effleurage?

Answer 2

easier to take in and expel waste products as it increases the permeability of cell membrane

Question 3

Name 5 contraindications of petrissage (揉捏法).

Answer 3

• cold, atrophied, acutely inflamed and injured muscles
• open wounds

Question 4

What are the four techniques in petrissage?

Answer 4

• one-handed
• two-handed
• open C / closed C
• sifting

Question 5

What is petrissage?

Answer 5

lifting and/or kneading the tissues with light to deep pressure

Question 6

What are the general effects of petrissage?

Answer 6

• pumping response in the muscle to move fluids and waste products in and out of the muscles and tissues
• lifting: separate the muscle fibers; pulling: lengthens the muscle

Question 7

Name 2 areas we do sifting.

Answer 7

chest and inner thigh

Question 8

What is the use of sifting?

Answer 8

softens superficial fascia

Question 9

What stroke should be done before applying petrissage/friction?

Answer 9

effleurage or passive touch

Question 10

Is petrissage most effective on muscle tissue, fascia or ligaments?

Answer 10

muscle tissue

Question 11

Name two contraindications of compression.

Answer 11

• Injured tissues
• open wounds

Question 12

Where is the most useful area to apply compression?

Answer 12

Areas where it is hard to lift the muscle, e.g. - the shoulder blade
- parts of the back
- joints

Question 13

Name the general effects of applying the following strokes:
1. broad and flat strokes with the flat of your hand
2. the edge of your hand or elbow

Answer 13

1. a diffused effect
2. a focused effect

Question 14

Name three uses of compression.

Answer 14

• stimulate fluid activity by compressing over joint
• tone/strengthen muscle and stimulate the nervous system with lift-press application

Question 15

What are the general effects of compression?

Answer 15

• separate and lengthen muscle fibers by pressing tissues toward underlying bone and penetrating the subcutaneous layer

Question 16

What is effleurage?

Answer 16

using the flat hand passing over the skin and muscle with light to moderate pressure, one of the most used strokes

Question 17

What is compression?

Answer 17

using the flat/balled hands to press directly into the underlying tissue

Question 18

What is friction?

Answer 18

sustained pressure in a focal area at a moderate-to-deep level

Question 19

Name 5 contraindications of friction.

Answer 19

• inflammation
• painful areas
• fresh scars
• open wounds
• acute injury

Question 20

Name 9 techniques of friction.

Answer 20

• direct pressure
• cross fiber friction
• cross fascicular frction / raking
• linear friction
• circular friction
• skin rolling
• rubbing
• chucking
• twisting

Question 21

What are the 5 general uses of friction?

Answer 21

• warm the tissue
• break up adhesions / prevent adhesions during active stages of scar formation
• release restrictions between tissue layers
• stimulate localized circulation
• lengthen muscle fibers

Question 22

What are the uses and general effects of rubbing, chucking, and twisting?

Answer 22

Uses: warm tissues, introduce mobility
Effects: build up heat in surface tissues

Question 23

What are the uses and general effects of direct pressure?

Answer 23

Uses: adhesions, tender points, trigger points, acupressure

Effects:
- Often applied to musculotendinous junction to relieve stress points (common areas of microtrauma and overstretching)

• temporary ischemic response

Question 24

We may repeat the application, but we shouldn’t maintain direct pressure over _____ seconds as it may cause muscle guarding or bruising and impede circulation.

Answer 24

15 seconds

Question 25

What are the uses of cross-fiber friction?

Answer 25

Uses: release adhesions, knots, and reorganize scar tissues

Question 26

What technique should we apply before using cross-fiber friction? Should we use cross-fiber friction on healthy tissues?

Answer 26

direct pressure; no

Question 27

What are the uses of cross-fascicular friction / raking?

Answer 27

release stubborn hypertonicities

Question 28

What are the uses and general effects of linear friction?

Answer 28

Uses:
- separate muscle group borders
- release bound connective tissues

Effects: lengthen muscle fibers and fascia

Question 29

What are the uses and general effects of circular friction?

Answer 29

Uses: mobilize structures, warm underlying tissues, very engaging effect on nervous system, use in acupressure and Shiatsu applications

Effect: relive superficial guarding patterns

Question 30

What are the uses and general effects of skin rolling?

Answer 30

Use: assess the pliability of skin and fascia

Effects: warm the skin adhesions or fascial tissue

Question 31

What are the 6 techniques of tapotement (叩撫法)?

Answer 31

• tapping
• slapping
• hacking
• cupping
• pincement
• pounding / beating

Question 32

What are the main uses of tapotement?

Answer 32

• stimulate weak/atrophied muscles
• stimulate the nerves

Question 33

What are the effects of heavy tapotement or prolonged lighter application?

Answer 33

dilate the blood vessels

Question 34

What are the 4 contraindications of tapotement?

Answer 34

• muscle spasm
• muscle cramp
• sore muscles
• severe hypertonicity

Question 35

What is the use of tapping?

Answer 35

sedative effect

Question 36

Where should we use slapping?

Answer 36

abdominal muscles, pectorals, and inner thigh (not on faces or haunches = loins)