The five basic Swedish massage strokes

    Photo Courtesy of ABMP

There are five basic stroke techniques used during Swedish massage:

• Effleurage
• Tapotement
• Friction
• Vibration
• Petrissage

Effleurage is a long, smooth stroke that slides over the skin and is usually very fluid feeling. The gliding stroke is often used to warm-up the tissue, apply the lotion and connect with the body. Effleurage massage strokes can be light or deep and are able to be performed on any part of the body. The massage therapist can use full palm, fingers, elbows or forearms to perform effleurage strokes.

Tapotement is a quick percussion stroke where the body is struck in a quick, repetitive way. This is probably the Swedish massage stroke most people recognize from what they see in the movies. Percussion strokes are light, fast-paced and stimulating. Depending on how the massage therapist uses their hands, the stroke can be called cupping, hacking, tapping, pincement or others.

Friction strokes are used in Swedish Massage to create heat in the soft tissues of the body. Rubbing one surface over another in a quick motion creates the friction effect during the massage. Superficial friction can be applied to the skin and is a warming stroke for Swedish massage therapists to use when warming up the muscles for deeper work. Deep friction stokes work more specifically into tight and resistive muscle tissues.

Vibration is a Swedish massage stroke that create a similar oscillating effect to mechanical massage devices but the effect is created by the massage therapists hands instead of an electronic gadget. Fine vibration is created using the fingertips and is usually applied to a small, specific portion of the body. Coarse vibration can be created by jostling an entire joint or muscle body during a Swedish massage.

Petrissage is a kneading stroke that squeezes the muscle body. Massage therapists can perform petrissage with two hands, one hand, or between the fingers in a rolling type motion. The wringing motion helps increase circulation to that specific area, break up adhesions or myofascial restrictions s muscle fibers are separated and increase overall relaxation in that muscle group.

The five Swedish massage strokes have so many variations and can be put together in such a variety of ways, that no two massages are exactly the same. Each massage therapists has a unique interpretation of using these basic strokes and can tailor the massage to suit the needs of each individual client.

For more info: See more about what Swedish massage benefits are for those seeking wellness and relaxation.