Effleurage Massage

Effleurage massages are the most commonly practiced massage techniques. An effleurage massage is incredibly relaxing and soothing to your skin because during an effleurage massage the masseuse almost floats across the contours of your body. The masseuse giving the effleurage massage can either use their hand or forearm to move with very low friction across your back, legs, arms, and torso, applying light to deep pressure.

Effleurage massage provides stimulation to the skin that you just can’t find through other massages. When done in a deeper way effleurage massages work wonders on your circulation. All in all, the effleurage massage provides a very soothing massage.

A variation to the slow, long strokes that most effleurage massages are done with, you can get an effleurage massage with the masseuse using a “V” shaped formation with both hands resting lightly in the contours of the legs, or the small of the back as well as other contours. As opposed to the typical effleurage massage, the hands move together in formation stroking the muscle with long swift movement.

During an effleurage massage, the hands remain pliable while the masseuse works different areas sometimes using the palm of the hand whereas other times using the fingertips. They can do the effleurage massage while using horizontal stroking or vertical gliding. The best effleurage massages uses a combination of both. During the effleurage massage the key to a great massage is the use of depth and rhythm alternately to achieve a nice soothing and relaxing effleurage massage.