An exhausting week, tense muscles, a body weighed down by too many meals eaten on the go… That’s all it takes to dream of a massage! But did you know there are several massage techniques, including effleurage? And does it actually have any slimming benefits?
What is effleurage massage?
Gliding, grinding, friction, kneading, percussion…effleurage! So many names to describe specific massage techniques, each differing in touch, intensity, movement and benefits.
Effleurage, as the name suggests, involves lightly skimming the skin. It is therefore often the first point of contact between the therapist and the person being massaged (ideally, you!). This technique is gentle, pressure-free, and primarily targets the superficial layers of the skin, which are rich in nerve endings. There are two types of effleurage:
- Light effleurage or slow effleurage: this involves applying a very light, constant pressure to the skin. It starts at the shoulders and moves down successively to the arms, back, lumbar area and legs. This phase of the massage, performed with broad hand movements, allows massage oil to be applied evenly across the entire body.
- Circular effleurage or firm effleurage: this involves gentle circular movements directed towards the heart. Its aim is to optimise blood and lymphatic circulation. This technique is performed using the flat of the hand.
What are the benefits of effleurage?
In manual massage, effleurage is rarely used on its own, as it serves as an introduction, a transition and a conclusion to other techniques. That said, effleurage is far from without its own benefits! This massage works on:
- Stress: effleurage helps relax muscles and joints, releasing all forms of tension.
- Blood flow: the warming of the skin through effleurage helps regulate blood circulation via vasodilation (widening of the vein diameter).
- Toxins: lymphatic flow is also encouraged. Lymph is the body’s waste carrier. These toxins, responsible for cellular congestion and water retention in the tissues, are more effectively eliminated through effleurage massage.
- Fatigue: improved drainage of vital fluids towards the organs allows the metabolism to recover more efficiently.
What about the slimming benefits?
So what is the connection between effleurage massage and slimming, you might ask? It’s simply a butterfly effect!
- Reducing stress and minimising fat gain
A body under significant stress can sometimes tend to… store fat. Anyone who has experienced emotional weight gain knows exactly what this means! When you are under constant pressure, your body produces cortisol in large quantities. High cortisol levels push the body to build up reserves, resulting in abdominal fat. Regular effleurage massage can help you release that pressure, and a more relaxed body will be less inclined to accumulate fat!
- Getting quality sleep to prevent weight gain
The quality of your sleep has a significant impact on your weight. If you sleep too little or suffer from chronic fatigue, your body will slow down. Instead of drawing on fat reserves for energy, it will start breaking down muscle. A vicious cycle follows: loss of muscle mass and gain of fat, leading to even greater fatigue. Effleurage massage, with its deeply relaxing effect, can improve your recovery capacity and sleep quality, and in doing so, help prevent weight gain.
- Draining veno-lymphatic flow to detoxify
Vital fluids are responsible for the proper circulation of nutrients, water and oxygen throughout the body (the role of blood) and for the effective elimination of toxins and waste (via lymph) towards the body’s filtering organs (liver, kidneys). When the veno-lymphatic network is not functioning optimally, the whole system seizes up… Tissues become saturated with water (water retention), fat cells become trapped and unable to release their fat. The result: a heavy silhouette, painful legs, and a bloated belly. Effleurage massage helps restart the veno-lymphatic pump, essential for good oxygenation of the body and optimal toxin drainage. You deflate… Slimming goal achieved!
Where can you enjoy an effleurage massage?
You can call on the services of a physiotherapist, an osteopath or a certified massage therapist. All are trained in various massage techniques, including effleurage. However, wellness massages are not covered by health insurance. So if you are a fan of regular massage sessions, your guilty pleasure could end up being quite costly over time!
Another option, to keep your finances in check: massage at home, now possible (and surprisingly easy!) thanks to our Masseur Amincissant Vibrations. With its three combined heads, it replicates the pressure of effleurage massage. And it couldn’t be simpler:
- Switch the device on
- Select a gentle intensity programme
- Apply circular movements to the area you wish to target
- 15 minutes is all it takes!
A massage routine of around twenty days should help you reshape and tone your body. The gentle vibrations of the slimming massager release all muscle tension, boost microcirculation and offer you a moment of pure relaxation — with a slimmer silhouette as the reward!
