Chair Massage Techniques

Several chair massage techniques are used when performing seated massage.

They are mostly made up of East Asian and Swedish massage movements and stretches.

Superficial friction is performed by rapid movement of the palms back and forth on tissue to warm it.

Deep friction is moving the skin over bone with the finger, thumb, elbow, fist, palm, or heel of hand. This is more difficult to perform through layers of clothing.

Effleurage or gliding is used for relaxing muscles. There is also a gliding stroke called ironing. This is performed with the forearm and is great for the back since it covers large areas at a time. In ironing, the forearm glides deeply and slowly down the back after completing the back treatment to realign the muscle fibers.

Petrissage is grasping, lifting, kneading or rolling soft tissue.

Compression with the heel of the hand or loose fists is used on the muscles of the back and forearm. The client should exhale as the therapist applies pressure and inhale as the pressure is released.

Sustained pressure or acupressure is applied with the finger, thumb, elbow or a massage tool. It relieves trigger points found by palpating tissue with deep friction and petrissage.

Acupressure moves fluids in tissues that are being compressed and it spreads the fibers of a muscle and puts a stop to muscle spasms.

Vibration or light shaking is used on the upper arms.

Tapotement or percussion is used to stimulate the client at the end of the massage on the back, head, arms, and hips. Tapping and light pinching (it should not hurt at all) are used on the scalp. This should be used if you want to leave the client feeling wide awake at the end of the massage.

Chair massage techniques take some practice on the part of the massage therapist. Once they are mastered, the chair massages should feel fabulous.

A Word Of Caution---Care should be taken to avoid the floating rib area and the kidney region of the lower back when performing tapotement.

Seated massage is also great for stretches which allow for better massage results. Stretching can relieve some aches and pains that massage strokes cannot.

Learn more about Swedish chair massage techniques.

Learn more about friction in chair massage.

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