Techniques and Terms
This French word, meaning "to flow" or "to glide," gives its name to a foundational gliding stroke.
Effleurage
This term describes the intentional, efficient, and safe use of a therapist's body to move and apply pressure.
Body mechanics
These supportive cushions are placed under a client's ankles, knees, or neck to maintain neutral alignment and comfort.
Bolsters
This general term describes the complete extent of movement a joint is capable of achieving.
ROM (range of motion)
This substance must be used to reduce friction for any technique that involves sliding over skin, such as effleurage.
Lubricant
This is an alternative name commonly used to refer to the technique known as petrissage.
Kneading
This dynamic position, where one foot is placed forward with the other toes pointing toward the table, is used when a therapist is moving along the side of the table.
Archer stance
Placing a pillow or bolster beneath this specific area helps relieve pressure and hyperlordosis in the lower back when a client is prone.
Abdomen
This is the anatomical location where the adductor muscle group is found.
Medial thigh (inner thigh)
This is the defined, logical order or pattern of massage strokes used during a treatment session.
Massage Sequence
This specific variation of petrissage involves lifting and lifting the skin and subcutaneous tissue away from the underlying muscle.
Skin rolling
This stable position, where the feet are placed wide apart parallel to the table, is used when working in a stationary spot.
Horse stance
This general term means lying down or reclining, encompassing prone, supine, and lateral positions.
Recumbent
This type of muscular contraction occurs when a client actively and voluntarily engages their own muscles.
Active ROM
This is the primary reason why practicing flawless body mechanics directly benefits the client, rather than just protecting the therapist.
Pressure that benefits the clients
This technique can be categorized as either cross-fiber/transverse.
Friction
Therapists should prioritize this type of footwear to maximize stability and minimize joint strain.
Supportive/closed-toe shoes
This specific, multi-pillowed position is ideal for pregnant clients or those who cannot lie flat on their back or stomach.
Side-lying
Before performing any passive stretching to elongate a client's muscles, a therapist should first do this to the tissue.
Warm up the tissue
When adjusting massage table height, a therapist must take this physical factor into consideration.
Client body type
This specific type of stroke requires the therapist to rapidly, rhythmically, and quickly strike the tissue using the ulnar border of their hands in a chopping motion.
Hacking
To reduce fatigue and injury, a therapist must lean into the stroke and place their weight here when applying decompression or traction.
Distally
This is the core protocol a therapist must follow to ensure client modesty, safety, and warmth when turning a client over on the table.
Draping/tenting
To achieve effective physiological changes, a therapist should hold a stretch or sustained pressure for this cumulative duration.
60 seconds
This degenerative joint disease becomes a strict local or absolute contraindication under acute clinical circumstances.
Osteoarthritis