Chair massage is used to provide short but helpful massages to clients. Usually therapists perform chair massage in public venues as part of promotional efforts, in a business setting where employees are given massages as part of a wellness program, or events such as sporting competitions and health fairs. The massage is given over the clothes while the client sits in a chair. Most chair massage sessions last between 10 and 30 minutes.
Types
There are two general types of chair massage, the relaxation massage and the sports massage. The techniques used in relaxation massage are intended to help loosen tight muscles, relieve pain and reduce stress. The techniques in sports massage are used to enliven the muscles, increase circulation and stimulate nerve responsiveness. Sports massage before an athletic event prepares athletes to perform at their best.
Features
Friction is a technique that involves placing the hands below the area to be massaged. With the amount of pressure that is comfortable to the client, the hands are moved either one at a time or together in a deep gliding motion. This motion is repeated three to five times on each area before moving on. It helps to relax tight muscles and increases blood circulation.
Function
Cross-fiber friction is a specialized type of friction technique where one hand is place on either side of the area to be massaged. The hands are then brought across the area, heading in toward the opposite side from which they started. Once the hands have fully crossed the area, the technique is repeated, drawing the hands back across the area to the original position. This can be done several times. It helps to break up scar tissue and fans out the muscle fibers, encouraging the muscles to relax and improving circulation. This technique can be used in both relaxation and sports massage, as it is not overly stimulating or overly relaxing.
Effects
Kneeding can be used in both relaxation and sports massage, depending on how vigorously it is performed. When kneeding a muscle, you place both hands over the area to be massaged. With one hand you grip and lift the muscle. As you release it, your other hand grips and lifts the muscle again. You repeat the process back and forth between the your hands. With relaxation massage, the technique is performed slower. With sports massage, the tissue is worked deeper and slightly faster.
Benefits
Stroking technique can be used in both relaxation and sports massage, depending on how it is performed. With relaxation massage, stroking is done with no more pressure than the weight of the hand. The hands slide over the body slowly to encourage relaxation and a sense of well-being and comfort. During a sports massage, hands slide over the surface more rapidly. Rapid stroking stimulates the nerves, increases heart rate and makes the muscles more responsive.
Considerations
Percussion is only used in sports massage. The hands rapidly drum on the muscles to excite the nerves and stimulate the muscles. This can be done with the sides of the hands while the hands are held open. It can also be done with a lightly closed fist or with the fingertips when all the fingertips are held against the tip of the thumb to form a triangle shape with the hands. The fast rate of percussion is what produced to stimulating effect.
Tags: sports massage, relaxation massage, area massaged, both relaxation, both relaxation sports