HANDSPRING INSTITUTE OF MASSAGE AND SHIATSU

HIMAS SPA SCHOOL

HIMAS’

ENHANCED SWEDISH MASSAGE

(ILLUSTRATED)

Quezon City . Davao City

2010
HANDSPRING-HIMAS SPA SCHOOL

Dear Valuable Reader,

Thank you for taking time to read and study this material.

It is our earnest desire that through the following pages, your

desire and enthusiasm to learn more (and share your learnings)
about Swedish massage shall tremendously grow benefiting your-
self and your loved ones, as well.

To help improve this massage guide, we would appreciate to hear

comments and suggestions from you. Rest assured that your contri-
butions shall be taken into consideration in our future editions.

Sincerely yours,

BENJAMIN B. EUGENIO JR., LMT

HIMAS SPA SCHOOL
1

ENHANCED SWEDISH MASSAGE

Swedish Massage is notably one of the most sought-after massage in the world
today. One probable reason is that this form of massage modality has a stroke
for almost any form of manipulation that a person so desires. For relaxation,
the effluerage and petrissage strokes are the best candidates. For stimulation,
vibration and tapoment strokes could well do the job. With this, more people
are greatly benefited beyond one’s imagination.

This material aims to provide beginners or enthusiasts alike with basic infor-
mation they need regarding this popular massage modality. It is hoped that
the articles and photos included in the foregoing pages shall prove useful and
informative to all who would come across this pamphlet.

BRIEF HISTORY

Swedish massage (sometimes referred

to as oil massage) was popularized
by a Swede gymnast whose name is
Per Henrik Ling (1776-1839). He was
credited for developing and making
known the Five (5) Classical move-
ments, such as: effleurage, petrissage,
vibration, friction and tapotement.
(Fig. 1 - Effleurage)
FIVE (5) CLASSICAL MOVE-
MENTS
2. PETRISSAGE- from the French
1. EFFLEURAGE - Was derived from
word petrir which means “to knead”
the French word-effleur which means
(Fig. 2- Petrissage)
to glide (Fig.1)
 HANDSPRING-HIMAS SPA SCHOOL

PREPARING TOWEL FOR MASSAGE USE

Step 1 - Towel Spread - Spread the

towel on top of the table
Step 4 - Towel Roll- From the bottom
edge fold the towel upward on a 2/3
position, and then roll tighly upward

Step 2- Fold No. 1 -Fold the towel

either from left to right or right to
left, leaving a half an inch edge on
the folded part Step 5 - Towel Ready for Use

Step 3 - Fold No. 2- Fold the towel

from the edges towards the original
center fold
2
5. Tapotement - involves repetitive
striking movements using the tips of
fingers, cupped hands or fists

(Fig. 2. Petrissage)

3. Friction - from the Latin word

“fricare” which means to rub.
Fig. 5 - Tapotement

SUB-VARIATIONS FOR EACH

CLASSICAL MOVEMENT

1. EFFLEURAGE - There are two

major forms of effleurage: the one
handed effluerage and the two handed
effleurage.
(Fig. 3- Friction)
4. Vibration - from the Latin
word “vibrio” which means to
shake.

Fig. 6- One-handed effleurage

Fig. 4 - Fine Vibration

3 HANDSPRING-HIMAS SPA SCHOOL
2. PETRISSAGE - Petrissage
is characterized by the lifting
and squeezing (“angat at piga”)
of specific muscular areas. It
can also be performed either
with one hand or two hands, as
shown in the illustration below.

Fig. 7- Ironing (One-forearm

effleurage)

Fig. 10 - One-handed petrissage

Fig. 8 - Two-handed effleurage

Fig. 11- Praying-hand petris-

sage (two-handed)
Fig. 9 - Two-handed Heart
Effleurage
4

Fig. 12 - Two-handed petrissage Fig. 15 - Thumb-circular friction

(Open and closed C)

3. FRICTION- This is done by

rubbing the superficial part of
the skin.

Fig. 16- Palm-on-palm circular

friction

Fig. 13. Superficial friction

Fib. 17 - Cross-fiber friction

Fig. 14. Sawing (friction)

5 HANDSPRING-HIMAS SPA SCHOOL
4. VIBRATION- From the word “vib-
rio”, meaning to shake. The purpose
for which is to stimulate nerves and/or
help loosen immobilized joints
Fig. 18 - Fine vibration
Fig. 19- Coarse/Jostling Vibration
Fig. 20 - Rocking (Pitch and catch)
5. TAPOTEMENT - involves repeti-
tive striking movements of the hands,
delivered through the edge of finger
tips, open palm or fists
Fig. 20 - Hacking
Fig. 21 - Quacking
Fig. 22 - Cupping
6

Fig. 23 - Pounding/Beating

Fig. 27 - Punctuation

Fig. 24. Diffused tapotement

Fig. 25 - Pincement

Fig. 26 - Raindrops
7 HANDSPRING-HIMAS SPA SCHOOL

GENERAL MASSAGE SEQUENCE BENEFITS OF MASSAGE

1. Physical - Massage helps improve
1. Introductions blood circulation
2. Warm up 2. Emotional - Massage provides
relief from fatigue and stress
POSITION - PRONE 3. Psychological- Massage helps meet
1. Leg work the need for “touch”
2. Upper back
3. Buttocks
4. Side of Back CONTRAINDICATIONS FOR MAS-
5. Scapula SAGE
6. Arm and hand 1. Absolute-This means massage is
7. Back (from crown of head) not advisable under the any of the
8. Shoulder, neck and head following circumstances: high blood
pressure, cancer, intoxication and
POSITION - SUPINE highly contagious diseases
1. Leg work 2. Relative- This means massage
2. Stomach may be applicable to any part except
3. Hand and arm affected areas such as wounds, burns
4. Chest and fractures
5. Arm, shoulder neck 3. Medical- This involves conditions
6. Head and face where the doctor expressly prohibits
massage of any kind
After Care
1. Advise client OTHER IMPORTANT POINTERS
2. Side lying position FOR MASSAGE
3. Asist in getting up 1. Oil- The lubricant to be used during
4. Health advisory massage should be vegetable-based
5. Courtesy such as virgin coconut oil or VCO.
Mineral based oil are cheap compared
THREE MAJOR STAGES OF MAS- to vegetable-based but it has no nutri-
SAGE tive value.
1. Pre-massage
2. During Massage
3. Post-massage
8

2. Alcohol- The only prescribed

5. Bath- For hygienic pursposes,
alcohol to be used before, dur-
clients may be advised to take a
ing and after massage is 70%
bath before getting a massage.
isopropyl alcohol
6. Ethics- Both therapists
3. Equipment- The massage bed
and clients should know their
to be used the massage session
individual basic rights when it
must be neither too high nor too
comes to massage.
low for the therapist concerned.
7. Hygiene- To help minimize,
This is help avoid chronic back
if not avoid, the spread of dis-
pain among massage therapists.
ease, all massage practitioners
4. Meal- Clients shall be ad-
and enthusiasts must observe
vised to refrain from taking a
proper hygienic practices.
heavy meal within thirty (30)
minutes prior to a massage ses-
sion.
REFERENCES
1. Beck, Mark, Milady’s Theory and Practice of Therapeutic Massage 2nd Edi-
tion, Demar Publishers, 1994
2. Salvo, Susan, Massage Therapy Principles and Practices 3rd Edition, Saun-
ders Elsevier, 1999
 HANDSPRING-HIMAS SPA SCHOOL

PERSONAL NOTES:
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PHOTO GALLERY

Main HIMAS Training Center Some students taking time for a photo
HANDSPRING-HIMAS SPA SCHOOL

About the Author

Benjamin B. Eugenio, Jr, LMT is the
Founding President of the Hand-
spring Institute of Massage and
Shiatsu (HIMAS SPA SCHOOL. He
has been in the spa and wellness
industry for over fifteen years as a
massage therapist, teacher, school
founder and administrator, and
consultant.

A Publication of the
Hanspring Institute of Massage and Shiatsu
HIMAS SPA SCHOOL
3F, 1589 Crispina Bldg, Quezon Avenue
Quezon City
Tel. 410-7369 / 0917-5117744
Email: himas_manila@yahoo.com