STROKE RATIONALE BENEFITS

1.EFFLEURAGE  Used to introduce touch and  Warm bodily tissues, making

for applying lubricant
Other term –Gliding
 Used for assessing and
 Unbroken gliding movements exploring surface and
repeated following the underlying tissues
contour of the body using
a. Palm  Used to begin and end a
b. Knuckles massage to move blood and
c. Fingertips lymph
d. forearms
 Used to prepare tissue for
deeper massage and flush out
tissues after using other
strokes
them more extensible
 Relaxes the client and
prepares the area for deeper
strokes
 Soothes an area after deep
work
 Addresses places too for
deep, specific work
 Calm the nervous system
when done slowly

 Used on almost every type of  Stimulate the nervous system

body surface hence a when done quickly
preferred transition stroke to
use between other strokes  Relieve insomnia

 Delivered using a lean-and-

drag technique

 When working on extremities,

first work area most proximal,
then to distal, stroking in the
heart direction

2. PETRISSAGE  stroke of choice to milk the  Working out metabolic waste

tissue of metabolic waste and
draw new blood and oxygen  Reducing local swelling
Other term-Kneading into the tissues
 Improving cellular nutrition
 the hands is in C formation]
 Mechanically lengthen the
 Cycle to rhythmic lifting,  it lifts up the skin and the muscle
squeezing and releasing underlying muscle tissue and
tissue firmly knead, wring or squeeze  Addressing the tension under
the surface
a. knuckling  Lifting, compressing and
releasing of muscle tissue can  Reducing muscle soreness
be done in one or both hands and stiffness
intermittently
 Softening superficial fascia
 The focus is on lifting the
tissue and moving it vertically
or horizontally rather than just
pinching it.

 The pressure should be

applied in a rhythmic pattern
 to achieve alternate
compression and relaxation of
the muscle

3. FRICTION  Often used for areas that have  Generating heat

little or no blood supply, such
Other term: Rubbing as ligaments and tendons  Loosening stiffness in joints

 Deep friction is well suited for  Improving the glandular

 Compressing tissues in
several directions;-sliding
hands, palm, finger, knuckles
back and forth over skin or
deeper tissue layers.
 Usually dry, with little or
without oil
areas that lack muscle bulk
such as the ankle, the sides of
the head, or the sub-occipital
regions
 Applied either by pressing
down or around an area or
with circular or linear
reciprocating movements
action of the skin
 Promoting proper scar
formation
 Breaking down and freeing
adhesions
 Softening hyperplasia

 Reducing trigger and tender

point formation

4. TAPOTEMENT  Has a pleasant stimulating  Stimulate nerve endings

Other term: Percussion
 Repetitive staccato striking
movements of hands,
simultaneously or alternately
using:
a. Ulnar surface of hands
b. Fingertips
c. Open palm
d. Cupped palm
e. Loosely closed fist
-
effect initially becoming more
sedative if continued
 Used by respiratory therapist
and nurses to loosen phlegm  Aid in decongesting the lungs
congestion in the lungs
 Tone atrophied muscles
 The style of percussion
depends on the location  Increase local blood flows
where it is employed and the
desired effect  Access deeper structure such
as hip rotators
 Muscular areas such as the leg
and hips may absorb more  Create an ultrasound effect
force in the delivery and thin manually
tissues or delicate areas such
as the face require a smaller  Desensitize a hypersensitive
lighter tap area
 Avoid application immediately
after exercise because this
stroke can activate muscle
spindles and stimulate
cramping

 Heavy strokes over the

kidneys in the low-back area is
not advised

 May be applied directly to the


5. VIBRATION
Other term: shaking
 Rapid shaking, quivering,
trembling or rocking
movements applied with
fingertips of full hand.
skin or through the drape
 Begin with light pressure and
moderate strike speed
gradually increase speed and
finally diminish speed and
depth
 Delivered rhythmically
allowing hands to spring back
after contact
 Percussion delivered with too
much force can bruise a client
 Done properly you will be able  Stimulates muscle spindles
to observe the tissue moving
near the area on contact  Relieves upper respiratory
tract congestion
 The client should feel the
onset and removal of pressure  Stimulate peristalsis of the
large intestine
 Performing vibration correctly
requires coordination and  Moves gas in the lower GIT
practice
 Stimulate synovial fluid
 Is the most physically production in joints
demanding massage stroke
 Accesses deeper structure as
 Avoid imposing unnatural hip rotators
rhythm
 Reduces trigger and tender
point activity