Rhythmical Massage Therapy

Shashi Seedheeyan

Rhythmical Massage therapy (RMT) is a massage technique used in anthroposophical medicine, involving a very gentle touch that can be offered and accepted by hypersensitive clients. It involves delicate rhythmic movements, supporting the client to trust and accept increasingly deeper penetrating touch for tension release.

 Rhythmical massage therapy is quite different from other types of massage. It involves an assessment of warmth organisation and regards the skin itself, as a whole organism.

Rhythmical massage therapy consists of techniques such as kneading, effleurage, downward strokes and the use of lemniscate movements which are unique to the therapy. The lemniscate is applied with a rhythmical breathing quality of touch, in a figure of ‘8’ which penetrates the tissue deeply. The movements are rounded with an element of suction rather than pressure and are designed to influence the flow of fluids through the body.

 RMT can be given during pregnancy, in caring for infants and children, and in caring for the elderly and individuals approaching death. A series of weekly or biweekly treatments is recommended for the full effects of the therapy to unfold.

 This therapy is designed to evolve over a period of several weeks and may include other interventions like rhythmical embrocation, external applications, compresses, footbaths or even oil dispersion bath therapy when possible.