Download Chapter 13—Swedish Massage Techniques

Williams Massage Mastery: From Student to Professional
Lesson Plans
Chapter 13—Swedish Massage Techniques
Goals of the Lesson:
Cognitive: Students will understand the principles and applications of the six Swedish massage techniques.
Motor: Students will be able to be able to perform the six Swedish massage techniques.
Affective: Students will empathize with the client’s desire for a smooth and enjoyable massage experience.
Learning Objectives:
The lesson plan for each objective starts on the page shown below.
13-1
List two physiological effects from each of the six Swedish massage techniques described. .....................................
13-2
Compare and contrast the effects of a friction stroke applied briskly and lightly with those of a friction
stroke applied with slow, moderate pressure ...............................................................................................................
13-3
Explain the different effects of applying an effleurage stroke in different directions: away from the heart
and toward the heart ....................................................................................................................................................
13-4
Briefly explain the effect of petrissage on Golgi tendon organs ..................................................................................
13-5
Briefly explain the effect of friction on adhesions .......................................................................................................
13-6
Compare and contrast active, passive, and resisted range-of-motion techniques ........................................................
13-7
Describe the effects of subtle factors such as rhythm, depth, and pacing on the client’s massage experience ............
Legend: SG: Study Guide; PPt: PowerPoint
You Will Need:
Gather the following materials and teaching aids for the following lessons:
13-1, 13-2, 13-6
Massage table, sheets
Page 1
Copyright © 2013 Wolters Kluwer | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Selected Key Terms
Effleurage
End feel
Friction
Joint movements
Joint play
Petrissage
Range of motion
Routines
Sequencing
Synovial joints
Tapotement
Vibration
Williams Massage Mastery: From Student to Professional
Chapter 13—Swedish Massage Techniques
Objective 13-1
List two physiological effects from each of the six Swedish massage techniques described.
Date:
Lecture Outline
Content
 Effleurage


Term is from the French
verb meaning “to skim” or
“to touch lightly”
Long, gliding stroke
delivered with light,
medium, or sometimes deep
pressure

Usually follows in the
direction of the muscle fibers

Usually toward the heart

Main uses

Applying lubricant

Warming tissue

Supporting venous
return

Activating the
parasympathetic
nervous system
response

Transition between
strokes
Text
page
372403
PPt
slide
Topic
13-1:
2-10;
Topic
13-2:
2-10;
Topic
13-3:
2-10;
Topic
13-4:
2-10;
Topic
13-5:
2-10;
Topic
13-6:
2-10
Figures, Tables, and
Features
Figures
13-1: Muscle spindles are
a type of sensory receptor
found in muscle tissue.
These with primary
endings monitor slow and
fast changes in muscle
length and deep pressure.
When a muscle is
stretched, the muscle
spindle is also stretched
and sends a signal causing
the muscle to contract.
Very rapid vibration can
stimulate muscle spindles
to cause muscle
contractions that tone the
muscle.
p. 381
Term is from the French
verb for “to knead”
In-Class Activities
Demonstrate, and allow
students to practice, the
following techniques:
 Technique 18:
Effleurage
pp. 373-374
 Technique 19:
Petrissage
pp. 376-377
 Technique 20: Friction
pp. 379-380
 Technique 21:
Vibration
pp. 382-383
13-2: Mind map: joint
movements.
p. 386
 Technique 22:
Tapotement
pp. 384-385
 Petrissage

Resources and
In-Class Activities
13-3: Structure of a
synovial joint. Joint
Page 2
Copyright © 2013 Wolters Kluwer | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
 Joint movements are
Outside Assignments
Evaluation
Outside Assignments
As a research assignment
that will be graded, have
students summarize the
history of Swedish
massage in two pages.
Instructor’s Notes
Williams Massage Mastery: From Student to Professional
Chapter 13—Swedish Massage Techniques

Rhythmic stroke that lifts
muscles off the bone and
other muscles, compresses it
between the fingers, and
rolls the muscle fibers as the
muscle falls back into
position

Often used after effleurage
strokes have warmed the
muscle tissue

Main uses
movement techniques
focus predominantly on
synovial joints, which are
feely movable (diathrosis)
joints where the bones do
not touch each other. The
ends of the bones are
covered with an elastic,
porous connective tissue
called hyaline cartilage (or
articular cartilage), which
creates a smooth gliding
surface for synovial
articulations.

Stimulates circulation in
the muscles

Increases soft-tissue
pliability
p. 387

Breaks up adhesions
Tables
 Friction

Term is from the Latin word
“frictio,” which means to rub

Heat-producing, chafing
stroke

Applied either with light,
brisk strokes (superficial
friction) or with depth
(circular, linear, or crossfiber friction)

Traditionally used after
petrissage, and with little or
no lubricant

Main uses

Heats tissue

Breaks up adhesions

Reorganizes collagen
13-1: Conditions,
Contraindications, and
Cautions for Joint
Movement Techniques
p. 389
13-2: Selected Joints That
Might Be Moved during a
Swedish Massage
pp. 390-394
13-3: Overview of Swedish
Massage Techniques
p. 402
13-4: Overview of Swedish
Page 3
Copyright © 2013 Wolters Kluwer | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
covered in Objective
13-6.
Williams Massage Mastery: From Student to Professional
Chapter 13—Swedish Massage Techniques
fibers into parallel
patterns for greater
ROM
Massage Considerations
p. 403
 Vibration

Term comes from the Latin
word for “to shake”

Pulsating, tremor-like or
oscillating stroke
Concept Briefs
13-1: Effleurage

Stimulates or relaxes the
body area or the whole body
p. 373

Often used only in short
bursts to a particular area,
because it can be tiring for
the therapist
13-2: Petrissage
Main uses
13-3: Friction

Stimulates the nervous
system
p. 378

Numbs the local area
13-4: Vibration

Loosens muscles
p. 381

Stimulates peristalsis

 Tapotement
p. 376
13-5: Tapotement

Term comes from the Old
French for “a light blow”

Rapid, rhythmic percussion
stroke

Uses the hands in various
formations to drum on the
client

Main uses
13-7: ROM and End Feel

Promotes circulation
p. 390

Increases muscle tone

Stimulates the nervous
p. 383
13-6: Joint Structure and
Function
p. 388
13-8: Types of Joint
Page 4
Copyright © 2013 Wolters Kluwer | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Williams Massage Mastery: From Student to Professional
Chapter 13—Swedish Massage Techniques

system
Movement Methods
Loosens mucus for
easier expulsion
p. 400
 Joint movements

Involve brain, nerves,
muscles, bones

As part of Swedish massage,
joint movement techniques
are meant to improve joint
flexibility.

Originally called
“gymnastics”

Also known as range-ofmotion (ROM) techniques

Joint structure

Fibrous, cartilaginous,
or synovial

Immovable
(synarthrosis), slightly
movable
(amphiarthrosis), or
feely movable
(diarthrosis)

Pathological restrictions can
limit a joint’s ROM

There are many
contraindications and
cautions for using joint
movement techniques

Methods

Active joint movements

Active-assisted joint
movements
Page 5
Copyright © 2013 Wolters Kluwer | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Williams Massage Mastery: From Student to Professional
Chapter 13—Swedish Massage Techniques

Active-resisted joint
movements

Passive joint
movements

Passive stretches
Legend: SG: Study Guide; PPt: PowerPoint
Page 6
Copyright © 2013 Wolters Kluwer | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Williams Massage Mastery: From Student to Professional
Chapter 13—Swedish Massage Techniques
Objective 13-2
Compare and contrast the effects of a friction stroke applied briskly and lightly with those of a
friction stroke applied with slow, moderate pressure.
Date:
Lecture Outline
Content
 Brisk and light friction stroke

Heats local tissue

Increases circulation and
lymph flow to local tissue
Text
page
PPt
slide
376378
Topic
13-3:
2-7
Figures, Tables, and
Features
Concept Briefs
13-3: Friction
p. 378
 Deep friction

Applied with slow, moderate
pressure

Addresses connective tissue

Applied parallel to muscle
fibers, stretches and
broadens miofascia, leading
to better flexibility and
muscular balance

Transverse friction is applied
across muscle fibers, to
break up adhesions or scar
tissue.

Cyriax cross-fiber friction is
an advanced technique.
Legend: SG: Study Guide; PPt: PowerPoint
Page 7
Copyright © 2013 Wolters Kluwer | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Resources and
In-Class Activities
In-Class Activities
Demonstrate the different
ways to apply a friction
stroke, following
Technique 20: Friction, pp.
379-380.
Outside Assignments
Evaluation
Instructor’s Notes
Williams Massage Mastery: From Student to Professional
Chapter 13—Swedish Massage Techniques
Objective 13-3
Explain the different effects of applying an effleurage stroke in different directions: away from
the heart and toward the heart.
Date:
Lecture Outline
Content
 Applying an effleurage stroke
toward the heart

Most common method

Assists venous return

Enhances blood and lymph
circulation
Text
page
372374
PPt
slide
Topic
13-1:
2
Figures, Tables, and
Features
Concept Briefs
Used in Ayurveda

Reenergizes the limbs

Strokes should be applied
lightly, to avoid damaging
one-way valves contained in
superficial veins.
In-Class Activities
13-1: Effleurage
Discussion
p. 373
Why does Ayurvedic
medicine apply effleurage
strokes from proximal to
distal?
 Applying an effleurage stroke
away from the heart

Resources and
In-Class Activities
Legend: SG: Study Guide; PPt: PowerPoint
Page 8
Copyright © 2013 Wolters Kluwer | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Outside Assignments
Evaluation
Evaluation
Have students answer the
short-answer question for
topic 13-1 from the Study
Guide: “Explain why
effleurage is often the first
stroke applied to a body
area.”
SG p. 5
Instructor’s Notes
Williams Massage Mastery: From Student to Professional
Chapter 13—Swedish Massage Techniques
Objective 13-4
Briefly explain the effect of petrissage on Golgi tendon organs.
Date:
Lecture Outline
Content
 Golgi tendon organs prevent
muscle contractions from
damaging tendons.

Text
page
PPt
slide
Figures, Tables, and
Features
375
When a Golgi tendon organ
senses that a muscle
contraction is excessive (as
when lifting something that
is too heavy), so that a
muscle strain or tear is at
hand, the organ signals to
cause an instant reduction in
muscle tension.
 According to current research,
tiny muscle tension changes, like
those caused by petrissage,
activate Golgi tendon organs.

The Golgi tendon organs
then send signals through the
nervous system to relax the
muscle.
Legend: SG: Study Guide; PPt: PowerPoint
Page 9
Copyright © 2013 Wolters Kluwer | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Resources and
In-Class Activities
In-Class Activities
Discussion
Why do we want to
activate Golgi tendon
organs with massage
techniques like petrissage?
(Answer: To relax the
muscles)
Outside Assignments
Evaluation
Instructor’s Notes
Williams Massage Mastery: From Student to Professional
Chapter 13—Swedish Massage Techniques
Objective 13-5
Briefly explain the effect of friction on adhesions.
Date:
Lecture Outline
Content
 Adhesions

Feel like stuck tissue glued
together

Sometimes feel like obvious
knots of bound-up tissue that
the client may report as
numb

Can be assessed and
addressed during application
of friction strokes
Text
page
378
PPt
slide
Topic
13-3:
9-10
Figures, Tables, and
Features
Concept Briefs
13-3: Friction
p. 378
 Friction is used to break up
adhesions
Legend: SG: Study Guide; PPt: PowerPoint
Page 10
Copyright © 2013 Wolters Kluwer | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Resources and
In-Class Activities
In-Class Activities
Share your experience with
the feel of adhesions. The
first paragraph under
“Application of Friction”
(p. 378) gives examples.
Outside Assignments
Evaluation
Instructor’s Notes
Williams Massage Mastery: From Student to Professional
Chapter 13—Swedish Massage Techniques
Objective 13-6
Compare and contrast active, passive, and resisted range-of-motion techniques.
Date:
Lecture Outline
Content
 Active ROM techniques
Text
page
PPt
slide
390401
Topic
13-6:
10
Figures, Tables, and
Features
Tables

In active ROM techniques,
the client does the movement

Active-assisted ROM
13-2: Selected Joints That
Might Be Moved during a
Swedish Massage

pp. 390-394

Client starts movement
and therapist helps
finish
Active-resisted ROM

Therapist resists client’s
movement, in order to
build strength
 Passive ROM techniques

Therapist moves the client

Passive stretches

Concept Briefs
13-8: Types of Joint
Movement Methods
p. 400
Therapist moves joint
slightly past firm end
feel
Resources and
In-Class Activities
In-Class Activities
Demonstrate, and give
students the opportunity to
practice, the following
techniques:
 Technique 23: Active
Joint Movements
Paired With Massage
pp. 395-396
 Technique 24: ActiveAssisted Joint
Movements
pp. 396
 Technique 25: ActiveResisted Joint
Movements
p. 397
 Technique 26: Passive
Joint Movement
Techniques
pp. 398-400
Page 11
Copyright © 2013 Wolters Kluwer | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Outside Assignments
Evaluation
Outside Assignments
Assign the short-answer
question for topic 13-6
from the Study Guide.
SG p. 7
Assign the case study for
topic 13-6 from the Study
Guide.
SG p. 8
Instructor’s Notes
Williams Massage Mastery: From Student to Professional
Chapter 13—Swedish Massage Techniques
 Technique 27: Passive
Stretches
p. 401
Legend: SG: Study Guide; PPt: PowerPoint
Page 12
Copyright © 2013 Wolters Kluwer | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Williams Massage Mastery: From Student to Professional
Chapter 13—Swedish Massage Techniques
Objective 13-7
Describe the effects of subtle factors such as rhythm, depth, and pacing on the client’s
massage experience.
Date:
Lecture Outline
Content
 Once core skills are mastered,
you can consider subtle factors.


Therapist’s intention

Use centering and
grounding to calm your
energy and focus your
mind before a session

Have everything ready
for a session before the
client undresses

Maintain appropriate
professional boundaries

Be “present in the
moment”
Text
page
PPt
slide
408412
Topic
13-7:
9-10
Figures, Tables, and
Features
Contact

The quality of your
touch is important.

Warm, soft, dry, open,
confident hands are
good.

Cool, damp, uncertain
hands are not.

Once you have
established contact,
avoid disrupting it.
Page 13
Copyright © 2013 Wolters Kluwer | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Resources and
In-Class Activities
Resources
Chapter 11 describes the
importance of centering
and grounding before the
start of a massage session.
In-Class Activities
Review the subtle factors
that influence the massage
experience.
PPt Topic 13-7: 9-10
Discuss the importance of
setting the therapist’s
intention before a session,
and of continuous contact
during the session.
Outside Assignments
Evaluation
Instructor’s Notes
Williams Massage Mastery: From Student to Professional
Chapter 13—Swedish Massage Techniques




Use of lubricant

Use in moderation

With one hand turned
over palm side up
touching the client, pour
lubricant into your palm
and warm it by rubbing
your other hand across
it.

Do not break contact
with the client.
Pacing and leading

People have their
individual pace or
personal “rhythm.”

Affects how fast they
move, react, talk, etc.

Match the first part of
the massage to the
client.

As the massage
progresses, “lead” the
client into a more
relaxing pace.
Depth

Superficial massage is
sometimes called “fluff
and buff.”

Most clients do want the
therapist to sink into the
tissue and address
problems.
Rhythm

A lot like dancing
Page 14
Copyright © 2013 Wolters Kluwer | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Williams Massage Mastery: From Student to Professional
Chapter 13—Swedish Massage Techniques



Strokes can be applied
in a regular pattern at a
regular pace or tempo.

Clients relax to the
rhythm.

Use music to set the
pace.
Flow and continuity

From one technique to
another

From one body area to
another

Should be one
uninterrupted action
Stroke length

Long strokes tie body
areas together.

Cutting a stroke short
leaves the client feeling
oddly frustrated.
These factors greatly affect the
client’s massage experience.
Legend: SG: Study Guide; PPt: PowerPoint
Page 15
Copyright © 2013 Wolters Kluwer | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins