User:Body reflexology/Body reflexology

Body Reflexology
•	Effleurage

•	Petrissage

•	Friction

•	Tapotement

•	Vibration

Reflexology Routine
•	Back Reflexology

•	Foot Reflexology

Effleurage
Any stroke that glides over the skin without attempting to move the muscle beneath. Apply firm even pressure. Effleurage strokes are usually directed toward the heart.

•	Is used more than any other stroke

•	Usually begins and ends each treatment

•	Used as a bridge between many strokes

•	Accustoms the patient to the touch of the operator

•	Allows the operator to search for areas of spasms and soreness

•	Allows the operator to become familiar with the condition of the patient's muscles

•	Increases circulation to the skin and more superficial muscles

Bilateral Effleurage

Start at the lower back with one hand on each side of the spine. Go towards the upper back, all the way to the shoulders. While returning to the lower back go along the sides of the back. To give a deeper massage lean your body weight into the massage. [photo_01]

Alternating Hand Effleurage (Shingles)

Start with one of your hands to the side of the spine at the lower back. Move that hand forward 6-8 inches and then follow it with the other hand. Remove the hand that is in the front and place it behind the other hand. Do this several times to slowly work your way up the back (to get to the top of the back should take at least 12-14 cycles).[photo_02]

Raking

Start with your fingers besides the spine at the bottom of the rib cage. Have one finger in between each rib with your lower finger between your last rib. With your fingers in between the ribs follow the ribs all the way down to the side of the back and then return back to the spine. Repeat this all the way to the top of the rib cage. Move up one rib at a time.[photo_03]

Nerve Strokes

Lightly run your fingertips all over the back[photo_04]

Petrissage
A stroke that picks up the muscle and squeezes it. Usually done with two hands, alternating between each hand, but can be done with one hand.

•	Milks the muscle of waste products

•	Can help to free adhesions

•	Increases circulation and nutrition to the muscle

•	Along with effleurage can be considered a complete back massage

[photo_05]

Friction
Friction is a stroke that pokes through the skin and massages the underlying muscles. While doing friction "put on the skin like a glove" to reach through it and massage the muscles. Ask the patient frequently if you are deep enough or if you are too deep. Always do friction on the opposite side of the spine from where you are standing. Strokes are usually done in the direction of the muscle fibers

•	Works the deeper tissues

•	Breaks up adhesions

•	Breaks up "knots"

•	Increase circulation to the muscles

Thumb Friction

Small circles made with the thumb[photo_06]

Fingertip Friction

Small circles made with the fingertips of both hands joined by the index fingers[photo_07]

Cresting Friction

Small circles made with the part of your fingers in between your knuckles[photo_08]

Palm Friction

Small circles made with the palm

Alternating Thumb Friction

With both thumbs side by side bring one thumb forward while bringing the other back. Then bring the one back while bringing the other forward. When going shallow go faster and slower when going deeper[photo_09]

Cross Fiber Friction (Peeling)

Use the part of your palm near your thumb as a "potato peeler". Try to "peel" the skin back and forth going across the fibers of the muscle instead of with the fiber of the muscles.[photo_10]

Tapotement
Any stroke that "strikes" the skin. Usually a series of brisk blows.

•	Can be used to excite the nerves

•	Can be used to calm the nerves

•	Increases circulation

•	Used in hospitals for bronchitis, pneumonia, and other like conditions to release mucus from the lungs.

Hacking

Like doing karate chops but keep the fingers VERY loose. Your arms should not move, flick at the wrist.[photo_11]

Cupping

You are NOT slapping. To find out how your hands should be cupped place your hands over your ears. Your arms should not move, flick at the wrist.[photo_12]

Pincement

You are lightly pinching at the skin[photo_13]

Beating

Make a VERY loose fist. Your arms should not move, flick at the wrist.[photo_14]

Vibration
A vibrating/shaking movement. Can be done to the skin or an entire limb or even the whole trunk.

•	Relaxes the patient[photo_15]

Back Reflexology - 45 Min

A.	Entire Back from Sacrum to Neck

1. Bilateral Effleurage

a. Apply oil

b. 8 to 10 strokes for warm up and familiarization

2. Alternating Effleurage (Shingles) 2x

B.	Gluteal Area and Sacrum

1. Alternating Thumb Friction

2. Cross Fiber Friction

3. Bilateral Effleurage -3x-

C.	Entire Back

1. Bilateral Effleurage -3x-

D.	Opposite Side of Spinal Column

1. Fingertip Friction -close to spine 2x, 1" from spine 2x-

2. Palm Friction -2x-

3. Raking

4. Cross Fiber Friction (peeling)

5. Alternating Hand Effleurage (shingles) -both sides-

E.	Repeat step "D" on other side

F.	Scapula, Traps, Deltoids & Elbow up

1. Alternating Thumb Friction

2. WEB effleurage on retracted scapula

3. ROM on shoulder

a. Rotation

b. Traction with slight vibration

G.	Repeat step "F" on other side

H.	Entire Back

1. Bilateral Effleurage -Deep 3x (use palms)-

2. Petrissage

3. Tapotement -2 types-

4. Bilateral Effleurage -Deep 3x-

I.	Neck

1. Two finger Petrissage

2. Fingertip Friction

3. Palm Friction - shoulders & lower neck

4. Cross Fiber Friction

J.	Skull

1. Fingertip Friction to Sutures

2. Fingertip Friction to entire skull

3. Fast Fingertip Friction to entire skull

K.	Back

1. Bilateral Effleurage -3x-

2. Vibration

3. Bilateral Effleurage (LIGHT) -3x

L.	Nerve Strokes

WEB effleurage on retracted scapula - place patients left hand on their lower back. Place your left hand under their shoulder and elbow under their elbow. Lift your left hand up to retract their scapula. Massage under scapula.[photo_16]

Rotation – Forward[photo_17]

Rotation – Backward[photo_18]

Traction with slight vibration[photo_19]

Two finger Petrissage[photo_20]

Fingertip Friction[photo_21]

Fingertip Friction to entire skull[photo_22]

Foot Reflexology
A. Entire Foot

1. Apply Oil

B. Plantar Surface of Foot

1. Palm Effleurage

2. Knuckling Effleurage

3. Alternating Thumb Friction

4. Palm Friction

5. Stationary Thumb Friction

6. Cresting Friction

7. Knuckling Effleurage

8. Palm Effleurage

C. Toes

1. Fingertip Friction

2. Traction

3. Extend & Flex

D. Top of Foot

1. Rolling Metatarsal

2. Alternating Thumb Friction

3. Rolling Shuffle

E. Ankle - Annular Ligament

1. Alternating Thumb Friction

F. Entire Foot

1. Nerve Strokes

[photo_23]