"Massage Techniques"

    

    The movements that are made use of in a massage can be distinguished into two broad categories, and these are old methods and new methods. The general trend is that these two methods are usually combined for developing newer methods. The movements that are used are referred to as manual movements. As is obvious from the name, these movements are performed manually. The main aim of the therapists who have developed these techniques is to please and surprise the recipient, not just with the complexity of the technique that is used but also with its diversity.

    The massaging techniques have been accordingly named based on the kind of movement that needs to be made or the tissues that they affect. For instance, there’s a massaging technique that is known as softening, and as the name suggests, the movements used in this technique are gentle and soothing. One of the ways in which these techniques are categorized is based on the effects that they tend to have on the body. They are divided into two main groups, and these are Main methods and Secondary techniques.

Fundamental techniques

    As the name suggests, these techniques tend to form the base of any massage. These techniques are indispensable for the performance of a massage. The characteristics of the massage might not always be the same, but the techniques used in it are. These particular movements are performed in a methodical manner. It starts off with working on the soft parts, then moves onto the superficial layers, and steadily starts increasing in depth. The five basic techniques that form the base of any massage regardless of the type of massage are mentioned as softening, friction, kneading, battement and vibrations.

Softening 

    This technique helps in improving the blood flow in the capillaries. Capillaries are small blood vessels that help in transporting blood to all the main organs in the body. This massage helps in improving the flow of blood within these blood vessels. This particular technique requires the massage giver to be very careful and gentle in his movements. The movements should be relaxed and languid. The rhythmic gliding of your hands on the recipient’s body will help him relax all the tensed muscles. Apply pressure by making use of your palms or the back of your hands.

Rhythm of movements 

    All massages starts out at a slow pace and softening is a really good technique for getting started. It helps in relaxing the recipient and sets the pace for the rest of the massage. The massaging strokes made use of can be languid, long, leisurely, short, insistent or even vigorous. You shouldn’t have to get really worked up about the length of the strokes you are using. A tantric massage is different from a regular massage because of the erotic nature of the massage. So, try and make it different from an ordinary massage. The length and the intensity of the massaging strokes can be slowly altered. Gradually increase their intensity depending upon the state of arousal of the recipient. Tantric massage is all about building anticipation and eagerness in the recipient about what’s waiting ahead for them, and this suspense will help in enhancing the pleasure that the recipient experiences. 

    Generally, the softening technique is made use of during the initial stage of the massage and also at the very end since it has a calming effect. It helps the recipient in relaxing. When you are making use of softening at the end of the massage, simply reverse the movements by starting out with long strokes and moving onto movements that are short and vigorous. This will help the recipient calm down and relax.

    Always keep in mind that you should begin and end the massage with the same technique and don’t change it. If you have started the massage with softening, then you end it with the same as well. Incorporating this will ensure that the recipient can relax and derive maximum satisfaction from the massage. For making your massage effective, there’s one other thing that you can do. The pace at which you are gliding your hands should be at a relatively faster pace than the flow of the blood in the veins. When the blood flow tends to improve, then the recipient will be more relaxed.  

    The gliding movements used while massaging arms and legs should start from the tips of the fingers and toes and gradually move towards the area where they merge with the torso. While massaging the body, make sure that you follow the veins. It should move downwards, towards the heart. While massaging the neck and throat regions, it should move from the head to shoulders.

     As mentioned above, the softening technique should be made use of for setting the pace of the massage. This technique can be performed in two different ways. You can perform this either by making use of your fingertips or by making use of your palms and the back of your hands as well. Either you can hold your fingers closely together, or you can slightly spread them apart as well. This technique is suitable for plain surfaces like the back. You should not exert too much pressure and it should be applied only on the vessels and the nerve endings. If you want to give a deep tissue massage, then make sure that you are using a technique that requires you to exert more pressure like the techniques that are performed with your fists, hands and the outside of your hands as well. Depending upon what the recipient enjoys, you should vary the strokes and the pressure that you are making use of.

Completion techniques 

    The techniques that have been mentioned above are referred to as primary movements. The ones discussed here are referred to as secondary techniques, and they are ancillary to the primary techniques. Both these techniques are equally important. Unless and until they are used in combination with each other, the massage wouldn’t be useful. The secondary techniques are ancillary to the fundamental techniques, and their roots are based in the primary techniques. They are mentioned as completion techniques because they help in the completion of the massage that was started by making use of the primary techniques. These are simply the continuation of the previous techniques. Let’s take a look at how these techniques should be performed. Some of the most important secondary techniques are sifting and rolling, pressures, shaking, pinching and tractions and tensions.

    They can be performed simultaneously or with alternative movements. In the case of alternative movements then, as the name suggests, these movements are performed by alternating between both the hands or by using only one hand at a time and then shifting to the other one. Movements like gliding your hands on the surface can also be done through simultaneous movements or even alternative movements. The movements that are usually made use of throughout the body are referred to as simultaneous movements. This movement involves the use of both the hands at any given point of time and is best suited for massaging the limbs and the back. 

    Alternative movements can be carried on in three different directions and are classified into long alternative movements, medium alternative movements and short alternative movements. Long alternative movements are the ones that are made in an alternate manner. Only one hand will be made use of for massaging and the other hand stays dormant. This is similar to the simultaneous long movements that are performed at the same time. Medium alternative movements fall somewhere in between the long and short alternative movements. These are longitudinal, slanted and oblique in nature. These movements are best suited for the limbs and the backside. Short alternative movements are short sensual strokes that help you in navigating your partner’s body. Like the movements that are made while kissing. These are short alternative movements and are carried out only one at a time. While the rhythm of these slight movement starts to increase the momentum of the languid and long movements decreases. The shorter movements usually exert more pressure than the longer ones. These are made use of for letting the body relax not just from a superficial level but also from the depths. It is usually made use of in treatment of nodes and even in deep tissue massages.