Swedish Massage

Question 1

What hand leads when applying effleurage to the limbs?

Answer 1

Outside hand “leads” & inside hand “follows” on the upstroke

Question 2

What area of the body is considered the “compass” in terms of body mechanics & what is its main function?

Answer 2

Belly button/navel. To “guide” direction of the stroke.

ie: should be facing in the same direction as the tool the therapist is using for that particular technique

Question 3

T/F: Spine should remain in alignment and not fluctuating between flexion and extension while massaging.

Answer 3

True! “Broomstick spine” principle of body mechanics

Question 4

What should be used to apply deeper pressure during massage? How should this be accomplished?

Answer 4

Your body weight being leaned into the tissue, through the strength of the lower body more than the upper body.

Question 5

What are the 4 basic considerations of palpation? (4 T’s)

Answer 5

Temperature,
Tone,
Texture,
Tenderness

Question 6

Which of the 4 considerations of palpation is considered subjective?

Answer 6

Tenderness

Question 7

Describe the VSOHA pressure/comfort scale

Answer 7

1 = little to no pressure (want more)
2 = light pressure, almost there but not quite
3 = perfect depth; goldilock's "just right"
4 = deep, comfortable for short periods but not for an entire treatment
5 = Too deep, immediately uncomfortable, pause treatment & reassessment

Question 8

What are the 4 principles of Swedish massage?

Answer 8

General > Specific > General,
Superficial > Deep > Superficial,
Proximal > Distal > Proximal,
Periphery > Centre > Periphery

Question 9

T/F: The principle of general > specific > general applies to the Area being worked on, Techniques applied & the Tool used by the therapist.

Answer 9

True; all 3 should be considered when following the rhythm of general to specific back to general.

Question 10

What does the term “tool” refer to in the context of massage?

Answer 10

The shape/part of the therapists hand/forearm that is being applied to the tissue
(ie: palmar, knuckles, finger tip, thumb, fist, ulnar border)

Question 11

Why is the superficial > deep > superficial principle so critical to Swedish massage?

Answer 11

• allows client to become accustomed to your touch
• tissues can relax gradually and circulation increases that allows therapist to deliver deeper strokes
• transitioning gradually up from deep strokes allows the tissues a slow recovery from more intensive work

Question 12

Which principle of Swedish massage applies mostly to the limbs?

Answer 12

Proximal > Distal > Proximal;
Begin work at the part of a limb that is closest to the trunk/heart (proximal) moving down (distal).
Final strokes should always aim to return blood flow to the heart & include the entire limb.

Question 13

What are the 4 applications of Swedish massage?

Answer 13

Pressure: deeper upstroke towards heart (venous return), lighter on the return.
Rate: refers to the application of individual strokes; faster = stimulating, slower = sedating
Rhythm: refers to the overall choreography of the massage; smooth, flowing, continuous & maintaining constant contact are key factors.
Duration: length of treatment; adjust based on client needs & reactions to treatment.

Question 14

Benefits of Massage

Answer 14

Mechanical,
Reflex,
Metabolic

Question 15

What are 5 endangerment sites on the body?

Answer 15

• anterior triangle of the neck
• medial elbow
• over the kidneys (deep tapotement non-no)
• back of the knees (popliteal fossa)
• armpit (axillary region)

Question 16

How should you start a client intake?

Answer 16

Open-ended questions

Question 17

What does ABC stand for in relation to client intake?

Answer 17

A = aches & areas of interest
B = being
C = choreography

Question 18

What are 3 opening/closing techniques we learned?

Answer 18

Compressions,
Rocking,
Sweep

Question 19

T/F: compressions shouldn’t be used over the sheet as part of a mimi-closure after finishing an area of the body.

Answer 19

False; compressions over the sheet as a mini-closure is great as it has a dual purpose, closure & soaking up some of the excess oil on the client’s body & your hands.

Question 20

What is a consideration regarding compressions on the lower limbs/glutes?

Answer 20

Adjusting your hand position so your fingers aren’t pointing/falling medially towards sensitive areas on your client’s body.

Question 21

What hand should be “reinforcing” during reinforced gliding strokes & petrissage?

Answer 21

Outside hand

Question 22

Define: Petrissage

Answer 22

Rhythmic lifting/squeezing, pressing/rolling & releasing tissue to locally stimulate circulation.
Hand contact is maintained throughout.

Question 23

Define: Wringing

Answer 23

Lift/squeeze tissue up from underlying structures & towards the midline on the upstroke, smooth release of pressure as hands move laterally.
Technique is done while facing the body (perpendicular).

Question 24

Define: Effleurage

Answer 24

Long, broad, continuous gliding stroke using the entire hand that follows the contours of client’s body.
More pressure on upstroke, lighter on the return.
Can be applied bilaterally & unilaterally.

Question 25

Define: Gliding stoke

Answer 25

Long, broad sliding movement where hands alternate & break contact with the body.
Can be applied w/ many tools (palmar, fingertip, thumb, knuckles, forearm), rhythm & rate are very important for this technique.

Question 26

When in doubt…

Answer 26

Effleurage!!

Question 27

Define: Kneading

Answer 27

Rhythmic, circular motion with pressure on the upstroke and release on the return. Circle is drawn moving away from midline.
Size of the circle correlates to the size of the tool being used.

Question 28

T/F: Tapotement techniques can never be applied in a way that is relaxing to a client.

Answer 28

False; if it is applied for more than 2mins in the same location it can have a sedative effect.

Question 29

What technique can be described as “duck kisses”?

Answer 29

Pincement