Massage Styles: Russian Massage - Part 2

Welcome to part 2 of my post on Russian Sports massage, getting more into theory and technique.  As I mentioned in Part 1, Russian massage is a system of specialized and highly developed massage strokes that each have a specific purpose in affecting the central nervous system, skin, muscles, joints, and tendons and ligaments.

In this massage, the body is worked in segments. For instance, the back is worked separately on the left or right side, then the other side. The arms are worked from the forearm first, then the upper arm, and legs are worked from the lower leg, upper leg, then glutes (buttocks). All strokes are done on one segment before moving on to the next, and strokes usually begin at one joint and end at the next without crossing over.

Most of the strokes used are similar to Swedish massage, with one addition and with specific hand positions depending on what segment is being worked on (for instance, the back, the legs, the arms, and on the sides between ribs all have different hand placements). Read on to find a list of each stroke, its purpose, how it affects the body, and what makes it different from its Swedish counterpart.

• Effleurage- This stroke is generally the first stroke to be used on a body segment. It is a slow and light stroke always done toward the heart that prepares the muscles for the rest of the strokes and allows the therapist to spread their lotion/oil. 
• It is meant as a sedative (relaxing) stroke and does this by reducing the activity of the Central Nervous System (CNS). Since it is so light, it is only meant to affect the skin and very superficial blood vessels.
• Swedish effleurage is also meant to be sedating as well as to make connecting strokes that can be done all the way from the ankle to the hips, or from the wrist to the upper back, and the pressure can vary from light to firm.
• This stroke can be stimulating by increasing or varying the speed and pressure.

• Wringing- Similar to but deeper than effleurage, this gliding (glides across the skin) stroke is very slow and works superficial to deep muscles. The therapist should go as deep as they are able without causing pain.
• This stroke is stimulating to the CNS which increases muscle tone and reduces fatigue. It reduces swelling by moving blood and lymph fluid and decreases pain associated with swelling.
• This is not considered as one of the basic strokes in Swedish massage. Instead, it is grouped with effleurage. 
• If done long enough with constant speed and pressure, this stroke can become sedating.

• Petrissage- This is a non-gliding stroke that uses pulling and pressing to work on muscles. The majority of the massage will be using this stroke.
•  Stimulating to the CNS and works on the muscle to increase blood flow, size/strength/stamina of muscle, and decreases fatigue. The therapist uses light to medium pressure for pulling strokes and medium to deep pressure for pressing strokes.
• This stroke is exactly the same as the Swedish version except for the hand positions and a slightly faster speed.
• If constant speed and pressure are used, this stroke can become sedating.

• Friction- A gliding stroke that folds and stretches skin and soft tissue in different directions (think of a nicer version of an "Indian rug burn".)
• The only stroke that goes in all different directions instead of toward the heart only, this sedative stroke creates a lot of heat by increasing blood flow which speeds up metabolism. It also increases joint strength and flexibility of skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments while decreasing chronic pain, scar tissue, and muscle spasm.
• The only difference between Russian friction and Swedish friction are hand positions and that Swedish friction can be both gliding and non-gliding; Russian friction is always gliding.
• It's difficult to make this stroke stimulating. Usually it's done by combining friction with other strokes.

• Vibration- At 200-300 movements per minute, this is the fastest stroke that performs fine or course rhythmic movements (either horizontal or vertical) of a muscle, muscle group, or body segment.
• Vibration is mainly a rehabilitative stroke. It's sedative to the nervous system but stimulating to the muscular system by creating very fast contraction and relaxation of the muscles to help repair strains (muscle tears). It helps rebuild muscle reflexes, can affect internal organs if done long enough, and can even increase the production of bone calluses to speed up the healing process of a broken bone (read more about bone healing here.)
• Swedish vibration is usually done for a shorter time than Russian vibration and the movements are not as fast or constant, making it more stimulating whereas the Russian style is meant to be sedative. Russian vibration should also always be manual, not mechanical.
• See above.

• Percussion- Similar to vibration in making fast movements to the body, but the difference is that there is not constant contact with the body. Instead, it makes tapping or striking movements.
• This stroke is usually very stimulating to the nervous system. It increases muscle and skin tone, nerve signal strength, and blood flow. When used with wringing, it is very effective in regaining muscle strength after disuse from an injury.
• The same as a Swedish style massage except for hand placements.
• This stroke is easy to make sedating when constant speed and pressure are used, and the only stroke that is often meant to be used as both stimulating and sedating.

• Joint Movements- Joint movements are done to measure the range of motion in joints before and after a massage. 
• If a joint is not moving enough, the therapist can focus on flexibility in that area to increase performance.
• If a joint is moving too much, the therapist can focus on muscle tone and strength to prevent injury.
• Joint movements can be done when recovering from injury to prevent stiffness and loss of movement.

 After reading about all of these strokes, you can see how a Russian massage can accomplish many different goals. If a client wants a relaxing massage, the therapist will usually follow the same order of strokes as they are listed and make them mostly sedating strokes. If a client wants increased energy for their day or an upcoming sporting event, the therapist can modify the strokes to be stimulating.

I will typically give people a relaxing Russian massage and do very stimulating strokes for the last few minutes so my clients will be relaxed during the massage but feel refreshed afterwords so they don't go about their day feeling half-asleep. This massage is fun to give, versatile in the effects it causes and the people it can help, and has so much fascinating scientific research and history behind it. I hope everyone reading has to opportunity to receive it and fall in love with it like I have!