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massage techniques

Below is a brief introduction to the techniques used in a typical session. These are not prescriptive, and nor are they a detailed guide: for these we recommend you purchase a copy of Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit, by Gabriel Mojay.

Effleurage

• Effleurage is a light manipulation which warms up the muscles and helps the masseuse understand connect with the unique contours of each individual. The hands are placed on the body with strokes employed in the direction of the heart. This is used at the beginning of each muscle group massaged.

Petrissage

• This technique works on a deeper aspect of the muscle, using the hands and thumbs to loosen up tight areas of the muscle, producing heat energy and so relieving stress, tension and fatigue. One notable benefit of this technique is it's ability to break up cellulite in problematic areas of the body!

Friction

• This is usually performed with the thumbs or palms, using circular motions on longitudinal areas of the body to create heat in the area. This ensures deep pressure into localised areas, causing deep relaxation, deep pressure release and the removal of tension areas. This technique works particularly well along areas of the body such as the arms, back and hamstrings, where there are longer muscles.