Massage Therapy: Rolling Techniques

Types of Rolling

• There are two types of rolling: skin rolling and muscle rolling
• Skin rolling is grade 1 and muscle rolling is grade 2
• No grade 3 due to pain tolerance

Effects of Rolling

• Mobilizes scar tissue
• Has a stretch effect on tissues when performed slowly

Shaking

• Muscle or superficial tissue is shaken from side to side
• Uses thumb and finger tips for small areas, full length of thumb and fingers for larger areas, and whole flat hand for very large areas
• Grade 1: thumb and fingertip shaking, Grade 2: full thumb and fingers, Grade 3: whole limb shaking

Effects of Shaking

• Produces a feeling of invigoration and stimulation
• Increases tissue mobility
• Assists in breaking down tissue adhesions
• Stimulates lymphatic and venous flow
• Helps prepare soft tissues for stretch and exercise

Hacking

• Performed by hitting the area with the medial border of hands and/or fingers
• Uses pronation and supination of radio-ulnar joints
• Grade 1: uses medial borders of fingers, Grade 2: uses medial borders of hands and fingers, Grade 3: uses medial borders of hands and fingers more deeply and slowly

Effects of Hacking

• Stimulates local circulation
• Stimulates muscle tone
• Gives a generalized feeling of stimulation
• Provokes muscle and tendon reflexes
• Light strokes affect superficial tissue, deeper strokes aid in lung evacuation

Clapping

• Performed by striking the area with the palmar aspect of the hands and fingers
• Uses alternately flexing and extending wrist joints
• Grade 1: very superficial, fast pace, minimal contact, Grade 2: deeper, slower, and firmer, Grade 3: very firm, may involve elbow action

Effects of Clapping

• Same as hacking, except for provoking tendon or muscle reflex

Beating

• Uses lightly clenched fists to hit the area
• Action involves wrist flexion and extension
• Grade 1: fast rate, light contact, Grade 2: slower, firmer contact, Grade 3: deeper, varying rates

Effects of Beating

• Same as clapping

Pounding

• Performed by hitting the area with the ulnar border of the hand
• Uses pronation and supination of radio-ulnar joints
• Grade 1: fast rate, light contact, Grade 2: slower rate, firmer contact, Grade 3: deeper, varying rates

Effects of Pounding

• Same as clapping

Kneading

• Stimulates venous and lymphatic flow
• Increases mobility of fibrous tissues
• Helps interchange of tissue fluids
• Helps prepare soft tissue for exercise
• Helps removal of waste products
• Increases length and strength of connective tissues
• Provokes somato-visceral reflex effects
• Restores mobility between tissue interfaces

Picking Up

• Compresses tissues against underlying structures, then lifts, squeezes, and releases
• Can be single-handed C-shape, double-handed alternate C-shape, single-handed V-shape, or double-handed V-shape
• Grading is the same as kneading, with Grade 3 only used in double-handed manipulation over very muscular areas

Effects of Picking Up

• Same as kneading, particularly good for mobilizing soft tissues

Wringing

• Compresses tissues against underlying structures, then one hand pulls towards the physiotherapist and the other hand pushes away
• Can use fingers and thumb or full hands
• Grade 1: usually applied to finger strokes, Grade 2: uses whole hand

Effects of Wringing

• Same as kneading, particularly good for separating superficial and deep adherent tissue

Learn about the different types of rolling techniques in massage therapy, including skin rolling and muscle rolling, and their effects.