Massage Therapy Journal Spring 2024

Spring 2024 • 59

Skin rolling is used to mobilize the superficial fascia over the deep fascia. 1. Move the tissues in various directions to assess the bind. 2. Grasp the tissues between the fingers and the thumbs. Pick up as much tissue as possible with respect for the client’s pain tolerance. 3. Roll the skin in a variety of directions, but all toward the bind. 4. Reassess the tissues for mobility. J-Stroke can be useful for mobilizing and softening fibrotic or scar tissue. Small strokes applied in a “J” shape help to mobilize fascial adhesions. 1. The tissue is assessed for mobility in different directions. 2. Pressure is applied with the palm, whole hand or fist in the direction of ease. 3. With a knuckle or a few fingers force is applied away from the direction of ease in a “J” shape. 4. Repeat five to seven times. 5. Reassess tissue for changes in mobility. Indirect fascial techniques are where the practitioner follows the direction of ease of the tissue rather than taking it into bind. Some people describe this technique as an unwinding of the tissue. Gentle pressures are generally used with this type of massage technique. Some common contraindications and cautions around direct fascial methods include: • Local bacterial infections • Bruises • Local skin diseases • Areas of decreased sensation • Fragile skin Some common indirect fascial methods to use with your clients: Fascial tension technique is typically a slow, gentle stretch of the tissue applied by sustaining light to moderate pressure. It may take one to five minutes for the tissue to mobilize. This type of fascial technique is generally used on larger areas of the body, but does not have to be exclusively used in that manner. Massage therapists can use their fingers, palms or both hands for this technique.

1. Assess the tissue for ease in different directions.

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2. Apply force in the direction of ease. 3. Take the tissue to the barrier of ease. 4. Follow the tissue as it begins to mobilize. 5. Reassess for tissue mobility. Limb traction is used to impact a jointed area. The joint will move through a variety of ranges of motion. Great caution should be used with this technique when a client has hypermobility or a joint that has been dislocated. 1. Assess the jointed area for mobility in different directions. 2. Apply a gentle traction to the limb. 3. Follow the joint as it moves through different ranges of motion. 4. Reassess the jointed area for mobility. Functional technique is a gentle soft tissue mobilization technique that can be used in cases of dense or fibrotic tissue. This technique tends to be a more focused approach for fascial mobilization. 1. Assess the tissue for ease in different directions. 2. When a direction of ease is found in one direction, hold the tissue in that direction. 3. Move the tissue in a different plane of movement, and when ease is found in the second direction hold the tissue at that ease. 4. Repeat for a third plane of movement. 5. Hold the final position (three planes of ease) for 10–20 seconds, slowly taking the tissue further into the direction of the ease as it mobilizes. 6. Reassess for tissue mobility. CONTINUE THIS COURSE! This introduction to the basics of orthopedic massage techniques is the first half of AMTA’s continuing education course “Orthopedic Massage Techniques for the Lower Body.” Continue reading online, where you’ll get more ind depth information on various othopedic conditions you may see in practice, as well as assessments you can use and massage techniques that may help. Visit amtamassage.org/learn to purchase the course and take the final exam to earn CE credits.

amtamassage.org/learn , where you can purchase the course “Orthopedic Massage Techniques for the Lower Body” and take the final exam to earn CE credits or scan here to get started.

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