With this technique, gentle, steady pressure, traction and positioning help relax muscle spasms and break adhesions in the fascia. The client remains fully clothed. In traditional Chinese medicine, points on the hands and feet correspond to specific organs and muscles in the body. Kneading tense muscles is supposed to relax the hands and feet and relax pressure on organs. This gentle massage is designed to reduce stress, relieve pain and fatigue.
Patients remain fully clothed.
The therapist may use knuckles, elbows and deep pressure. This collection of techniques is designed primarily to relax muscles by applying pressure to them against deeper muscles and bones. By far the most popular technique, Swedish massage is said to shorten the recovery time from muscular strain by flushing the tissue of lactic acid and other metabolic wastes. This is based on the theory that by identifying pressure points, the therapist can stretch and open internal pathways where energy flows. Shiatsu is often done on people fully clothed to relieve pain and decrease anxiety.