Home Massage Techniques

Effleurage Stroke

Massage therapy can be expensive and may be out of the budget for many people.  For those who don’t want to spend the money there are techniques that you can use at home, expense free.  One technique is called the effleurage.  You want to start by performing long gliding strokes using your thumbs and fingers starting at the top of your shoulders.  Glide your fingers down to your finger tips and repeat.  You can also start from the lower back and work your way up to the neck area but remember to keep your fingers and palms constantly moving.  Remember to start at the largest muscles first and work your way to the smaller ones. 

Friction Stoke

To get a deeper massage, try the friction stroke.  Use your finger tips or thumbs to perform circular movements that softly penetrate the muscle.  This stroke works best around joints or bony areas.  The friction stroke will help remove knots or tensed muscles and improve flexibility.  This stroke gets its name because it is performed more rapidly than other movements and creates a warming feeling.  It is suggested not to apply pressure to the spine as it can be painful or add stress to the area.