Key Point

• Oscillation can be a perfect beginning to a session with clients who struggle to let their guard down.

Without even understanding the physiological benefits of oscillation as a therapeutic mechanical force (or knowing that’s what it’s called, for that matter), most people will readily attest to how wonderful it feels to experience it. Oscillation, which takes on the form of vibrating, shaking, swinging, and rocking, involves manipulating the body and soft tissues in a back-and-forth motion. It’s a highly used “self-help” massage method for many, especially with the rise in popularity of massage guns and vibrating or rocking furniture (such as chairs and mattresses) to encourage sleep, stress relief, and pain reduction. 

Given how oscillating forces are favored outside the treatment room, it would behoove us practitioners to include them in our repertoire inside the treatment room. While they can take more time and practice to master than other foundational massage methods, there are far too many benefits and effects to leave them out.

Let’s explore why and when to use oscillation techniques, how oscillation affects the body, and what forms it can take in a manual therapy session. My aim is to encourage you to remember oscillation as a powerful foundational tool.

Why and When to Use Oscillation

While it might sound cliché, the main reason to use oscillation is because it feels good, naturally inducing a sense of surrender and soothing, evoking the proverbial “ahhhhh.” It also assists clients in recognizing where they are “holding on.”

I use oscillation techniques all the time in my practice. It is especially useful with clients who can’t let their guard down and need gentle encouragement. For example, there’s the client who automatically stiffens their arm or leg the moment you undrape and touch or reposition them. Applying just about any massage stroke feels futile because the muscles are contracted. Of course, there are many reasons why this might occur: The client may feel timid, could be in pain, might be guarding an injury or emotional experience, or could simply be struggling to relax due to an overstimulated, anxious nervous system. Incorporating some light rocking before undraping, lifting and gentle swinging of the limb before massaging, or swift vibration to the muscle tendons can support the client in letting go.

For clients who can’t seem to let go and receive, who stiffen limbs when you try to move them, or whose muscles feel especially guarded upon contact, consider oscillation as a great way to safely and smoothly bypass this response. 

How Oscillation Affects the Body

No matter the variation, oscillation is meant to shake up and wake up the nervous system’s sensory responses. For example, vibration at muscle tendons stimulates sensory receptors that cause the muscle to contract, then relax. Additionally, vibration can be applied to trigger points in muscle bellies to promote release and local circulation. Some studies indicate the low-intensity mechanical stimulus of vibration can even inhibit pain responses.¹ 

Ultimately, the idea is to provoke sensory receptors with an unexpected and somewhat confusing stimulus (think of it as healthy, intentional chaos), causing them to let down their guard while they interpret the stimulus. Vibration and shaking are performed vigorously and create a stimulating effect, while rocking and swinging are slower and more soothing. All forms aim to release guarding, allow more stretch, and encourage freedom of movement. Oscillation is a great precursor to joint movement techniques. 

What Are the Forms of Oscillation?

As previously defined, oscillation involves back-and-forth movement that can be swift and local and slow and global. It all depends on the purpose of its use and where it’s being applied. The primary forms of oscillation include:

Vibration

Vibration is applied rapidly and works best in small, local areas, such as muscle tendons and specific areas of guarding within muscle bellies. Simply use fingertips or a knuckle in a swift and short side-to-side motion for about 30 seconds.

Shaking

Shaking is most effective on muscle groups or an entire limb. Grasp and lift the tissue of the muscle group or grasp the limb, then pull down with one swift tug. Then, shake it from side to side in short movements. This application should only be applied for up to 10 seconds.

Rocking

What happens when you rock a baby? They go to sleep! Similarly, rocking has a calming effect on the body. Perform this variation by sandwiching the limb or sides of the body between your hands, then alternately pushing with one hand, then the other, to create a rocking motion. Rocking the entire body from the pelvis and hips is a great way to set the tone of relaxation at the start of each session. 

Rocking is also perfect before beginning to work on a limb. Be sure the rocking motion originates from the proximal joint. For example, place your hands on the thigh to rock the leg so the motion occurs at the hip joint rather than the knee.

Swinging

Swinging involves lifting the client’s arm or leg off the table and literally swinging it from side to side. 

For example, in supine position, grasp the arm at the wrist, lift the arm off the table so the elbow flexes and you are holding the entire weight of it. Then, generate a gentle force so the elbow swings medial to lateral. Or, in prone position, grasp the ankle, flex the knee, and lift the thigh slightly off the table. (Be cautious with this lift just in case the client isn’t flexible enough to allow this stretch to the quadriceps and/or psoas.) Again, generate a medial to lateral swing. 

Note that the swing can be subtle. It doesn’t need to be a wide swing to be effective. The point is to encourage the client to give you the entire weight of their limb, which allows the muscles surrounding the joint to soften and allow the motion.

Sweet Surrender

When you think of oscillation, think surrender. Surrendering control or letting go of holding patterns can be stimulating, such as the joy generated by putting down a heavy load or burden. It can also be calming, such as letting go of one’s grip on things like racing thoughts or control over one’s environment, surroundings, or present circumstances. In some cases, it can induce emotional release as the client allows a held emotion or experience in their tissues to finally break loose. The first time I experienced it, I sobbed! And then I felt a lightness and calm that hadn’t been there.

I believe most of the tension we touch in our work comes from our clients’ need for control in a world that feels out of control. Therefore, we provide a safe space to shake it off, surrender, and be safely in our hands experiencing good vibrations on every level. 

Note

1. Physiopedia, “Vibration and Pain Management,” accessed March 2024, www.physio-pedia.com/Vibration_and_pain_management. 

Resources

Fritz, S., and L. A. Fritz. Mosby’s Fundamentals of Therapeutic Massage, 7th ed. (Amsterdam: Elsevier, 2021). 

Ingraham, Paul. “Vibration Theories, from Massage Guns to Jacuzzis.” PainScience.com. Last updated September 19, 2022. www.painscience.com/articles/vibration-therapy.php.