James H. Cyriax was the first to thoroughly and systematically study soft tissue lesions of the orthopedic system and devise a specific massage technique for their treatment. The technique is also called deep transverse friction and is used for treating muscles, tendons, ligaments and joint capsules. The major goal of this massage is to move transversely across a ligament or tendon to mobilize it as much as possible. This technique often precedes active exercise. Deep transverse friction massage restores mobility to a muscle in the same way that mobilization frees a joint.
(Source: James Cyriax, www.om-cyriax.com)
