Swedish Massage Strokes – Massage School Notes

Stroke	Purpose/Uses	Mechanical effect	Reflexive effect	Contraindications
LIGHT EFFLEURAGE Gliding, Fanning, Tree branching, shingling etc.	Transitioning Spreading oil Evaluating tissue		Relaxes muscles (parasympathetic nervous system) Relieves pain (Gate control theory, endorphins) Increases arterial and capillary circulation Increases vasodilation (slowing heart rate and blood pressure)	Hyperesthesia Marked or pitted edema Gross swelling Open wounds distal to inflammation or infection
DEEP EFFLEURAGE Knuckling,		Increases venous and lymphatic flow removing wastes, reducing edema Improves nutritional status of tissues Increases arterial and capillary circulation, bringing nutrients Warms superficial tissue Desquamation of dead skin	Same as above Deeper muscle relaxation Capillary dilation longer lasting	Same as light effleurage Very hairy skin New scar tissue Venous stasis
PETRISSAGE Picking up, wringing, kneading, open C/closed C, alternating thumb, squeezing, lifting, skin rolling (lifting tissue away from underlying structures)	Used after effleurage Relieves congestion Reduces swelling Digestive disorders Muscle shortening Spastic paralysis Fatigue	Stretches muscle fibers and stimulates muscle tone, broadens fibers Breaks up adhesions Increased circulation and waste elimination Moves interstitial fluid	Slow-relaxes nervous system Fast-stimulates NS Increases glandular activity of skin Increases peristalsis when done over abdomen Affects proprioception	Atrophied muscles Flaccid paralysis Acute inflammation
DIRECT PRESSURE FRICTION Compression	Use after tissues have been warmed up Hypertonic muscles Treatment massage Deep tissue work	Compresses and spreads tissue Temporary ischemia Mobilizes muscle/tendon junction	Reduces pain and spasm Hyperemia Increases peristalsis when done over abdomen	For all frictions: Acute inflammations Neuritis Recent injuries Osteo and rheumatoid arthritis-especially acute stages Muscles lacking innervation(paralysis) Debilitating neuromuscular dysfunction such as MS, ALS, MD.
LINEAR OR CIRCULAR FRICTION	same as above	Myofascial releasing-separating adhered fascial planes Broadens and stretches muscle fibers Increases muscle	Decreases tension through stimulating Golgi tendon reflex Increases circulation Creates hyperemia
Cross fiber friction	Use only after a thorough warming of involved tissue Apply at right angles to scar/fibrotic tissue Superficial tissue must move over underlying structure Apply frequently enough to have an impact	Breaks up adhesions Assists in realigning scar tissue	Relaxes muscles by stimulating Golgi tendon reflex
Heat rub friction		Heats skin Warms tissue	Vasodilatation Relaxes muscles
TAPOTEMENT Tapping, Pincement, Slapping Hacking, Cupping, Beating, Pounding	Stimulation of tired muscles Relaxation of hypertonic muscles	Loosens mucus in thoracic cavity	Stimulates nervous system, muscles, vessels Enhances muscle tone via contract-relax response Increases circulation Stimulates organs through low back Increases gaseous exchange Stimulates skin and glandular activity	Muscles is spasm or cramping Spastic paralysis Atrophied muscles Flaccid paralysis Insomnia, neurasthenia or complete exhaustion Neuritis or painful conditions Over bony area No heavy tapotement over the kidneys No heavy tapotement over low back in pregnancy or menstruation
FINE VIBRATION Static or moving	Relaxation		sedates nervous system reduces pain(gate theory) relaxes muscle	same as tapotement
COARSE VIBRATION Static or moving		loosens ligaments	Penetrating stimulation
JOSTLING/SHAKING		Increases synovial activity Increases circulation	Stimulates organs Reduces muscle guarding Rejuvenating tired muscles	same as tapotement
SWEDISH GYMNASTICS Active free, active assisted, passive, resistive		Stretches muscles and ligaments Increases circulation and nutrition Increases waste elimination Loosens adhesions Increases ROM and flexibility	Stimulates NS Increases blood pressure and temperature	Torn ligament, tendon or muscle Unhealed fracture Post surgery Heart conditions ( active and resistive) Acute injuries