FIVE STROKES OF SWEDISH MASSAGE

Effleurage: It is unbroken movements repeated following the contour of the body

using palm, knuckles, fingertips, and forearms.
Rationale: Used to begin and end the massage, Used for applying oil/lubricant.
Benefits: Warm bodily tissue, Relieve insomnia, Soothe an area after a deep work,
Calm the nervous system when done slowly.

1.) ONE-HANDED:
a. Raking: It is two or five fingertips gliding on the side of spine.
b. Ironing: It is one palm gliding on the side of the spine.
c. Circular: It is one palm gliding in circular motion.

2.) TWO-HANDED:
a. Heart Shape: Two hands gliding in a heart shape motion.
b. Circular: Palm over palm gliding in circular motion.

3.) ALTERNATE-HAND:
a. Raking: Same as one handed but this time It is moving alternately.
b. Circular: Same as one handed also but this time It is moving in alternate motion.

4.) NERVE STROKE: It is a featherlike finger tracing the skin.

Petrissage: Other term is kneading, It is lifting, squeezing, and releasing of tissues.

Also known as horse stance.
Rationale: Draw new blood and oxygen into the tissues.
Benefits: Working out metabolic waste, reducing local swelling, Improving circular
nutrition, Reducing muscle soreness and stiffness.
1.] ONE-HANDED: It is a simple clamp squeeze.

2] TWO-HANDED:
a. Praying Hands: Finger interlaced gliding in praying hand motion.
b. Ocean Wave: It is compressing the muscle into opposite directions.

3] ALTERNATE-HAND: It is lifting and squeezing the muscle alternately.

4] FULLING: Palm or thumb pressure separating while moving forward.

5] Skin Rolling: It is lifting the skin, no downward force involved.

Friction: It means compressing tissues in several directions, usually done dry or

without oil.
Rationale: It is used for areas that have a little or no blood supply.
Benefits: Generate heat, Loosening stiffness in joints, Promoting proper scar formation.

1] SUPERFACIAL WARMING: Palm moving briskly in opposite directions.

a. Sawing: Using ulnar edged of the hand.

2] ROLLING: Hold the limb with open hands then roll it back and forth.

3] WRINGING: Twisting into opposite directions.

4] CROSSFIBER: Is a movement against the direction of the muscle fibers.

5] CHUCKING: Is a movement rubbing back and forth using thumb or fingers.

6] CIRCULAR: Creating a small circles in the boney or ligamentous area.

Tapotement/Tapoma: Is a repetitive staccato striking movements of the

hands, simultaneously or alternately.
Rationale: It has stimulating effect and helps loosen congestion in the lungs.
Benefits: Stimulate nerve endings, Increase local blood flows, Create an ultrasound
effect.

1] TAPPING:
a. Punctuation: Hard tapping on the sole area.
b. Pulsing: An alternate deep light tap.
c. Raindrops: A very light fingertips tap, Best done on the head or face.

2] PINCEMENT: Lifting skin quickly at the point of striking.

a. Plucking: Best done on eyebrow.

3] HACKING: Is done by using ulnar edge of the hand just like a karate chop.
a.Quacking: Strinking with 3 last fingertips while creating a quacking sounds.

4] CUPPING: Cupped hands, Loosen phlegm in the chest cavity.

5] POUNDING: A loose fist beating in moderate strength.

a. Rapping: Just like knocking the door.

6] CLAPPING: Palm striking skin with alternate strokes.

a. Slapping: Not recommended for victims of abuse.

7] DIFFUSED: Best done on stomach to stimulate digestion.

Instruction: From right lower quadrant – Right upper quadrant – Left upper quadrant –
Lower left quadrant.
Vibration: Other term is shaking, Rapid shaking, quivering, trembling, or rocking.
Benefits: Relieves upper respiratory tract congestion, Stimulate peristalsis of the large
intestine, Stimulate synovial fluid.
a] Fine: Fingertips trembling the skin.
b] Jostling: Hold the limb and vigorously shake back and forth with the sub variation of
Coarse.
c] Rocking: Push and catch motion.