So much ignorance and incorrect usage prevails in relation to the various terms employed in connection with massage and its administration, that it will be worth while to devote a few lines to this part of the subject, as no one thing is so suggestive of ignorance or proficiency as the misuse or correct use of terms. Massage is a noun, the literal meaning of which is kneading, as a baker kneads bread. This word, like many other terms relating to massage, is derived directly from the French. It retains its French pronunciation, and is pronounced as though spelled mas-sahzh, and not as though spelled massaj or massaje, which is so frequently heard. Masser is a verb, meaning the act of applying massage. It is pronounced as though spelled mas-say.- I masse; you masse; he massees (pronounced as though spelled mas-sa-es). Masseing is the present participle, and is pronounced as though spelled mas-sa-ing. - I am masseing. Masséed is the past participle, and is pronounced as though spelled mas-sa-ed. - I masséed a patient yesterday.. Masseur is pronounced very nearly as if spelled mas-sur. The term is applied to a man who administers massage. Masseuse is pronounced very nearly as if spelled mas-suse. The term is applied to a woman who administers massage. Pétrissage is pronounced as though spelled pa-tris-sahzh . It is a French term applied to deep kneading, as distinguished from superficial kneading. Tapotement is pronounced nearly as though spelled tah-pote-mont, and indicates the act of percussion. Effleurage is pronounced as though spelled ef-flur-ahzh. It means light friction. Centripetal, - toward the center. In relation to massage, the term is applied to movements made in the direction of the blood current in the veins. Centrifugal, - from the center. This term is applied to movements made from the heart, or in the direction of the arterial blood current. |