Explain the physiological effects of each of the six soft tissue manipulation technique categories, and describe how these techniques are used in a massage session

What will be an ideal response?

Answer: (1) Effleurage stimulates touch receptors in the skin, activates the parasympathetic nervous system for relaxation, enhances circulation of fluids and venous return in the limbs, and can provide a passive stretch of tissues. Effleurage is used to apply oil or lotion, to begin a session, as a connecting and transition technique, and to conclude massage of an area. (2) Petrissage techniques "milk" tissues of metabolic waste products, increase local circulation, assist venous return, separate muscle fibers, and evoke muscle relaxation. Petrissage is used most often after an area is warmed with effleurage and before very specific techniques such as deep friction, with the exception of compressions that are sometimes used for initial warming when working without lubricant. (3) Superficial friction stimulates touch receptors in the skin, increases superficial circulation, and warms the skin, and it is used when warming is desired or when stimulating an area. Deep friction increases local circulation, separates tissues, and breaks adhesions, and is used after initial warming techniques to address specific structures such as tendons. (4) Tapotement provides nervous system stimulation and increases mental clarity. It is usually used as a finishing technique for a specific area or as a connecting technique when finishing one side of the body (i.e., front or back). (5) Vibration techniques stimulate the nervous system, provide sensory input, and can result in muscle relaxation. Fine vibration techniques are used in specific areas for the stimulating effects (e.g., on the abdomen). Coarse vibration is used to encourage muscle relaxation as when jostling the leg. (6) Touch without movement has a calming influence on the nervous system and is believed by some to help balance energy. It is typically used when finishing work on a specific area or when ending the entire massage session.