PetMassage Paw Prints

These strokes are used to help break down connective tissue or adhesions, found within muscles, tendons and ligaments due to a direct injury accompanied by inflammation, like tendonitis. The therapist would use small circular motions making certain not to evoke an inflammatory response. Frictions are performed when tissue is in a relaxed neutral position and the thumb or fingers are used to compress the tissue over the [lesion] site. The pressure is increased and small back and forth movements are applied perpendicularly in the direction of the tissue fiber. No oil or lotion is used. (Source: Massage therapy terms and definitions from the ABMP website)

Application: friction is a way of increasing heat beneath the surface within the soft tissues. Press your fingers or palm gently yet firmly on the coat, over an adhesion and rub in tiny circles or across the muscle. The key is to not brush your hands across the coat. Keep solid contact and move the skin, fat, and fascia over the underlying tissues.