"Effleurage" What? 7 Confusing Massage Terms Defined by San Soma Lake Tahoe Massage

As relaxing as massage therapy is, reading through treatment descriptions with all the confusing terms can be enough to send you straight back to stressing out (OK, that's maybe a bit overdramatic). The terms used in massage therapy are indeed confusing, but getting a little more familiar with them is both educational and interesting. So, San Soma is defining seven of massage terms used in the industry--some common, some exotic and some just plain confusing.

7 Confusing Lake Tahoe Massage Terms

Massage: Why not start with the basics, right? Massage is defined as the intentional and systematic manipulation of the soft tissues of the body to enhance health and healing.Modality: a method of treating a medical condition. This is another basic definition, but when you hear your therapist refer to the different forms of treatment you’ll know what she’s talking about.Effleurage: a Western massage therapy technique that includes movements that slide or glide over the body with a smooth continuous motion. Many massage therapies that are common today include effleurage in some form.Petrissage: a Western massage technique category that includes movements that lift, wring, or squeeze soft tissues in a kneading motion; or press or roll the soft tissues under or between the hands. Again, this is a common technique in today’s world of massage, and an area commonly practiced at San Soma Lake Tahoe Massage.Kneading: a massage technique in which the whole hand is moved in a circular pattern while the fingers and thumbs squeeze the tissues beneath. Similar to when making bread, except dough is not involved in this common massage therapy technique.Tapotement: a Western massage therapy technique category consisting of brisk percussive movements that are performed in rapid rhythmic fashion. Forms of tapotement include hacking, rapping, cupping, clapping, slapping, tapping, and pincement. Pretty much effleurage's polar opposite, even though the techniques can be used together in the same treatment.Trigger points: small, hyper-irritable spots in muscle or related connective tissue that may cause local pain or pain in a distant referral zone. Trigger points are commonly thought of as the "reason" why we need to get a massage to relieve pain in the first place.So, here they are: some simple and some not-so-simple definitions of terms you’ve likely heard when getting a massage. Getting a massage is all about you, so, if you would like to know more about a technique being used on your body, just ask! Call San Soma. We’re always here to help.Definitions courtesy of Source.