Classical massage is one of the most widely used and best-known manual techniques, applied both to maintain general well-being and to ease a range of everyday complaints. It may help reduce pain and swelling, improve tissue mobility after an injury and support the body's own recovery processes. Massage helps tired muscles regain strength, improves their working capacity and supports the health of joints and ligaments.
The main techniques used in this type of massage are stroking (effleurage), rubbing (friction), compression, kneading (petrissage) and vibration. How many times each technique is repeated varies and depends on the individual, as well as on other factors such as age and general health. Some movements are repeated four or five times, others less often. One constant principle is the direction of the strokes: they follow the lymphatic pathways towards the nearest lymph nodes. A classical session begins with the larger areas of the body and only then moves on to smaller ones - this order supports lymph and blood circulation.
Basic rules of classical massage
A classical session usually starts with the collar area and the neck, and the face is worked afterwards. The therapist uses stroking, rubbing, very light kneading and gentle vibration. The procedure lasts from 5 to 10 minutes, and a course is roughly 12 to 15 daily sessions. On the face, creams, lotions and oils are usually avoided, as they make it harder to feel the fine facial muscles.
The number of repetitions of each technique differs and depends on the individual and on other factors (age, state of health and so on). Some movements have to be repeated four or five times, others less frequently.
The core rule of good classical massage is the direction of the work - along the lymphatic pathways towards the nearest lymph nodes. The session starts with the large areas of the body and then moves to the smaller ones; this sequence supports lymph and blood circulation.
Techniques and practice of classical massage
Classical massage uses a defined set of techniques, which can be divided into five main groups:
stroking; rubbing; compression; kneading; vibration.
By depth of effect these can in turn be classified as medium-deep (stroking, rubbing, compression), deep (kneading) and percussive (vibration).
During the session the techniques are alternated without pauses between them. The lymph nodes themselves are not massaged.
When first learning the techniques, it helps to practise on your own leg - that way you can feel at the same time what the person being massaged experiences.
A classical massage starts softly and gently, the pressure gradually increases, and at the end the therapist returns to soft, relaxing strokes. The number of repetitions varies for each technique and depends on the individual and other circumstances (age, state of health and so on): some movements are repeated four or five times, others less often.
The strength and dosage of the massage matter a great deal. Rough, hurried, unsystematic and arrhythmic movements, as well as an excessively long session, can cause pain, muscle cramping and over-excitation of the nervous system. Massage done this way may do more harm than good.
A session should not begin with abrupt movements or end suddenly. The first sessions should not be long or intense - muscles need to be prepared gradually for stronger work, and the muscles of the person being massaged should be relaxed. It is important to vary the pressure of the fingers and to pay close attention to the sensations that arise. Practice sessions like these help develop a sense of rhythm, in which the hands move continuously, flowing from one technique into the next.
It is worth remembering that the strokes follow the lymphatic pathways towards the nearest lymph nodes. On the upper limbs the movements run from the hand to the elbow joint, and then from the elbow to the armpit.
On the lower limbs the movements run from the foot to the knee joint, and then from the knee to the groin area. On the torso, neck and head they run from the breastbone outwards towards the armpits, from the sacrum upwards to the neck, and from the hairline down to the nodes under the collarbone. On the abdomen the straight muscles are worked from top to bottom, while the oblique muscles are worked the other way round, from the bottom upwards.
A classical massage begins with the larger areas of the body and then moves on to the smaller ones - this order supports lymph and blood circulation.
Massage is not suitable for everyone. In case of acute inflammation, fever, thrombosis, skin conditions, pregnancy or an oncological diagnosis, be sure to consult a doctor before booking a session.