, a French word meaning 'to skim' or 'to touch lightly on', is a series of
massage
Massage is the rubbing or kneading of the body's soft tissues. Massage techniques are commonly applied with hands, fingers, elbows, knees, forearms, feet, or a device. The purpose of massage is generally for the treatment of body stress or pa ...
strokes used in
Swedish massage
Massage is the rubbing or kneading of the body's soft tissues. Massage techniques are commonly applied with hands, fingers, elbows, knees, forearms, feet, or a device. The purpose of massage is generally for the treatment of body stress or pa ...
to warm up the
muscle
Muscle is a soft tissue, one of the four basic types of animal tissue. There are three types of muscle tissue in vertebrates: skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle, and smooth muscle. Muscle tissue gives skeletal muscles the ability to muscle contra ...
before deep
tissue work using .
This is a soothing, stroking movement used at the beginning and the end of the facial and/or body massage. It is also used as a linking move between the different strokes and movements. is basically a form of massage involving a circular stroking movement made with the palm of the hand.
can be firm or light without dragging the skin, and is performed using either the padded parts of the finger tips or the palmar surface of the hands. Lotion may or may not be used.
The process works as a mechanical pump on the body to encourage venous and lymphatic return by starting at the bottom of the limb and pushing back towards the heart. This will have more success with this once all the muscles in the area are warmed up and loose. It consists of four sub-categories:
# Ethereal or aura strokes
# Feathering, or nerve-stroking
# Superficial
# Deeper
Usage
is one of the five components of Swedish massage and is used at the beginning and end of a massage session, as well as between other massage techniques. Regardless of the reason for use, is always performed in a circular motion from light to medium pressure.
The may vary in speed, direction, and time of the procedure.
is part of a type of massage called myofascial relaxation, which is used for carpal tunnel syndrome. In some cases, effleurage can be used to reduce labor pain. Clinical studies have shown that Swedish massage can reduce chronic pain, fatigue, joint stiffness. However, the effect of in relieving muscle fatigue or during recovery from sports injuries is insignificant.
See also
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Massage
Massage is the rubbing or kneading of the body's soft tissues. Massage techniques are commonly applied with hands, fingers, elbows, knees, forearms, feet, or a device. The purpose of massage is generally for the treatment of body stress or pa ...
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References
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Massage