Massage & Bodywork

JULY | AUGUST 2022

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F riction, in everyday language, commonly conjures a thought of disharmony. When two people have friction between them, they are (metaphorically speaking) rubbing each other the wrong way. Or, if a person creates friction, their behavior can result in irritation or inflame a situation. When a circumstance is described as frictional, its signature is composed of resistance as well as potentially fiery or hot energy. When understanding friction as a hands- on technique, we can use this relational concept to inform the way we use it with our clients. Sometimes a little disharmony is necessary to move things that are stuck, misaligned, or too heavily intertwined away from each other. Quite literally, there are times when a "break up" is necessary for stagnation to return to f low. As in all things, balance is necessary. Used in the right way, friction can be therapeutic. However, uninformed or negligent use can result in less-than-positive effects or even potential harm. Therefore, wise use is imperative. To ensure we use friction wisely, let's remind ourselves what it is, when it is used, what its variations are, and when to take caution or completely avoid use. FRICTION—AN OVERVIEW The term friction comes from the Latin root frictio, which means "to rub." As a therapeutic manual technique, friction is performed by rubbing one surface against another, also known as a shearing force. Heat is generated by the resistance between the two surfaces. For this reason, friction strokes are applied with little to no lubricant; that way, the tissue can be grabbed and manipulated with more precision. The stroke can be applied slowly or briskly depending on the depth and therapeutic intent. Superficial Friction When superficial friction is applied, the therapist's palms, ulnar sides of hands, or forearms are one surface and the client's skin is the other surface. Heat is generated by gliding one's hands swiftly back and forth in linear or circular fashion across the surface of the skin. A benefit of this technique for the therapist is they get a brief cardio workout! However, the therapist must take care to not sustain this variation of friction for an extended period because it can be exhausting. A little friction goes a long way. Superficial friction strokes are used therapeutically to: • Increase local circulation and lymph flow • Increase connective tissue pliability by warming the ground substance • Break up adhered tissue Deep Friction When deep friction is applied, the therapist's thumb(s), fingertips, or knuckles are used to compress superficial tissue and manipulate it across underlying tissue. It can be used on any tissue where adhesions exist and is commonly used on tendons and ligaments. Strokes are shorter and more specific. Just as with superficial friction, a little goes a long way. Applying deep friction to adhesions or scar tissue accomplishes several goals: • Realigns linear connective tissue fibers that have become disorganized • Stimulates nerve fibers, which has been shown to decrease pain and improve mechanoreceptor activity • Breaks up excess scar tissue, which improves general tissue mobility and joint range of motion L i s te n to T h e A B M P Po d c a s t a t a b m p.co m /p o d c a s t s o r w h e reve r yo u a cce s s yo u r favo r i te p o d c a s t s 51 KEY POINT • Therapeutic friction offers many benefits, such as increasing local circulation, breaking up tissue, and stimulating nerve fibers. ELLEN JASKOL PHOTOGRAPHY

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