Massage Pearls

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Hi.

I thought it would be nice to start a topic with "massage pearls". Those being explanations of specific massage techniques we may use for relief of problems, or just something we have found feels good and our clients love.

If you will put what your "pearl" is in the subject line, it will be easier to locate later.

I am reading the past posts from the technique section and happened across a post from sagetherapist that will go perfect here, so I will start this forum with that.

Here's hoping that everyone will participate!

 

[whittneylacrosse]

Piriformis syndrome, ITB syndrome & Sciatica

"I do a positional platform with the client prone that is very profound (so go easy at first) and effective. Bend the lower leg at the knee, and support (and drape!) appropriately while you draw the bent leg out to the side. (for you dancers, it's 'pique'... knee bent to the side with the foot resting near the inner calf, knee or thigh of supporting leg.... 'tree pose' for yoga students) Use your bolsters to secure & comfort the leg & foot. This alone will stretch the adductors & work the hip flexors with the weight of the body. Use your forearm (not elbow) and run up the ITB, figure-eight circling the glute pockets (staying with active triggers with elbow if the client can deal well) & back down toward the lateral side of the knee. I alternate this with cross-fiber friction done with soft fists or open palms. If you have warmed the leg up appropriately, it's usually not painful, but it can be surprisingly deep. I usually jostle the leg gently afterwards & apply a little Biofreeze, etc afterwards to 'make friends' again! ha. Relief is usually as profound as the stroke is deep."

Posted by sagetherapist

 

[D00M- m]

Shoulder Move - Gentle for Flexability & Mobility

"For shoulders, she might appreciate you holding the arm straight up, and loosley jostling the arm/shoulder joint while applying pressure to the anterior region. If the client can actually let her/his arm hand loose in your grip, this is a wonderful gentle move that also increases flexibility and mobility."

Posted by sharp64

 

[__sanja_____]

Tight Quads

"Try these:

1) Have the client soak in a hot tub (preferred) or spray in hot shower for approx 5-10min before your session.

2) (With a low table hight)In prone position, apply pressure with your lower leg (Tibia/Fibula) from just above the popliteal fossa to the ischial tuberosity while the client slowly flexes and extends the knee...Although this may seem to target the hamstring at first, you are also affecting the quads. The active engagement of the thigh muscles allows for some Reciprocal Inhibition to occur during flexion.

3) In prone position, have the client perform isotonic contractions while you stretch eccentrically(sometimes referred to as isolytic contractions); in other words, the therapist offers greater counterforce against the client's muscular effort which effectively lengthens a muscle which is trying to contract...creating microtrauma in the soft tissue which improves elasticity and circulation (that was a mouthful !!)

4) Cryostretching techniques with the fine edge of an ice-cube may also help...if you don't mind the mess (use lots of towels )

I truly hope this helps."

Posted by: LMTTedy

 

[Ivan]

The Psoas

"I learned to release the psoas from the front or back. I prefer to do it from the front because of better access.

First position the client face up on the table. Have them draw their knees up and let them fall over to the side away from the psoas muscle you want to work. This position will move the intestines out of the way and allow a clear path to the psoas. Next, have the client lift their head off the table, this will allow the rectus abdominis to contract. Move to the outer edge of the rectus to be properly positioned. Gently move toward the spine. You should feel a rounded firmness running parallel to the rectus. At this time the client may want to come off the table, so be gentle. This is a very tender area and may have active trigger points. Take your time and listen to you client. Work at a 8 on a scale of 1-10 for pressure. "

Posted by kneadedtouch4u

 

[Pompal 09.]

Very Specific Back/Neck/Shoulder Pain

"When I have clients that have very specific back/neck/shoulder pain, I work the back first & then apply an herbal linament to continue the 'work' while I move on to legs & feet. By the time I turn them supine, the linament/analgesic is really working & I go back to the neck & shoulders for detail work. By that time the most superficial muscles are really loosened & hydrated & you can really feel your way around 'the more profound culprits' like the levator scap, scalene group, splenus capitus, etc. And their body weight (weight of their torso) helps with the release, indeed."

Posted by sagetherapist

 

[Phil B]

Stripping Technique

"*Striping technique or Longitude friction - involves the application of slow, deep, gliding pressure along the length of the muscle fibers (Some therapists call it longitude friction). With each time you massage over a specific area, you can increase the pressure to find the tender area. Therapists start out with the superficial layer of the muscle, and then gradually go to the deeper layer.

*Deep transverse friction or Cross fiber friction or Cross Friction - Dr. 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 called deep transverse friction. Cross fiber friction is a deep non-gliding and oil-less friction technique that moves across the grain of a muscle, tendon or ligament. The main reason behind this technique is to break-up adhesions or scar tissue. With this technique, the clients Range of Motion can be increased. The technique must be performed directly over the site of lesion and pain. The fingers move with the skin and do not slide over it. Technique must be performed across the grain of the affected tissue. The thicker the structure, the more friction is given."

Posted by RJ

 

[Jonas S]

Breaking Up Knots with Hot Rocks

"In order to break up knotted muscle tissue take a stone and turn it on end, place the end on the muscle knot (make sure you are not on bone) Tap the stone with another heavier stone. The sound generated will break up the knot (like sonic waves and gall stones) It works like magic."

Posted by crystal

 

[jkzimm04]

Carpal Tunnel Symptoms

"When I work on somebody who presents carpal tunnel syndrome symtoms, I thoroughly flush and strip the wrists & forearms toward the midline, BUT I also make sure that I do very complete work between the shoulder blades & spine (the area where the nerve bundles that supply the arm/hands/wrists/fingers originates). It makes sense to 'go to the source' of the area that's inflamed. I'm not saying that in every case this is the problem, but it's a thorough way to treat the 'whole'. Recommended 'self-help' (if they are motivated) would be to work with a putty ball (available at sporting goods stores) or to invest in a "powerball" (a gyroscopic exerciser available at The Sharper Image & other places). I also discuss alternating ice & heat immersion, which tones & strengthens the nervous system). Remember that nerves move muscles & muscles move the skeletal structures. I sell a product called Biofreeze gel that I use on almost all of my clients. I have 5g sample foil packs to give away for such people. Most of them end up investing (and using!) the biofreeze on a regular basis."

Posted by sagetherapist

-=-=-=-

"When I work on someone with CTS symptoms, I use a shotgun approach of hitting all areas. I use both hands to extend the client's wrist and then use both thumbs to work from midline outward to give a good stretch on the carpal bones and the carpometacarpal joints. I also work the pect. minor area around the coracoid process, which can impinge upon the brachial plexus. And I perform PNF stretching with resisted shoulder shrugs and resisted cervical lateral flexion, finishing with some cervical axial traction. Sounds like a lot, but it can all be performed in less than two minutes if done properly.

Remember, if all else fails, trust your judgment in what you think is best for your client."

Posted by hunchbackDC

 

[Pompal 09.]

Release of Emotions by the Client

"Give her a safe space to allow her body to unwind & tell her that if emotions rise to the surface during your massage appointments, it's completely acceptable. I remind clients that are going through emotionally tough times that I am happy to pause, offer kleenex, water, leave for a few moments, etc.... whatever is needed for them. Without getting too emotionally entangled myself, I let them know clearly that it's an honor to have them let their guards down in the presence of our sessions & that I hold those specific 'sharings' as confidential as any medical info they keep me privvy to, etc.  

On a strictly "nuts & bolts" level, you may have to stay on your toes & change up any planned protocol for the day to accomodate easier breathing, etc during a crying jag. Try side-lying... it's not as drastic a maneuver as constantly turning the client prone & supine, and it's also very comforting. She can semi-curl up to allow her body to help comfort herself while you add rocking & reassuring compressions to the work. Offer extra bosters/pillows as you would for pregnancy massage to create a secure, stable environment for her while she lies on her side.

If you do feel you should refer her to someone else, do so with great kindness. It's easy to feel 'passed around' when you are being referred out if you are going through grief, etc.

Good luck. You've been trusted with this gal's grief. She lets you witness it. She must feel that you are helping her, as she returns for more work. You are doing more than 'just fine'. As bodyworkers, we can't expect to heal or lead anyone through their pain or grief, but at their own pace, so try not to feel responsible if things move slowly (or quickly)."

Posted by sagetherapist

 

[Real Life]

Warm Hands for the MT

"Make or purchase a rice or corn filled bag that can be nuked. If you start prone, you can place this on clients back and warm hands there. If you start supine, nuke the bag anyway and warm your hands then place the bag{covered in pillowcase} next to clients feet. Feet get cold so tell them you're resting near their feet if they want to cozy up to it. Your hands will warm by holding, positioning the bag by feet.  

PS : I love cold hands!"

Posted by lovely_day

 

[Andrew S]

Reflexology/Foot Massage

"Want to knock 'em dead?  

portable reflexology chair

http://www.massagewarehouse.com/Reflexology+Chairs/id=490/category.jhtml

footstool

rolling suitcase

containing:
massaging footbath
towels (a half dozen, a little larger than hand towels)
bath towel
plastic pitcher (optional)
antibacterial liquid soap(non irritating)  
electric "footies"
2 foot size clear plastic bags
mint foot creme
Genie (flat bottomed) massager

Get client relaxed in chair, fill pitcher with comfortably warm water and add soap. Fill footbath, plug in, have client soak feet while you unpack.

Plug in footies to prewarm them...depending which side you are plugging in, you will need different logistics as to which foot you work on first. Keep them away from the water of course, as you are soaking the feet.  

The soak should last about 15-20 minutes. Since they are sitting up, you can alternately  do a hand massage to pass the time.

Then towel off feet. Place a large bath towel behind them and tilt the chair back to a height you are comfortably working with. Pull up the sides of the towel so that one foot may remain covered while the other is worked on.  

Do slow gentle stretches on the one foot you are going to massage first. Loosen calf muscles if they seem tight.

Then warm the mint creme in your hands and do a deep thorough massage on the foot, with special attention to the muscle attachents in the ankles, and between the metatarsals. Then massage the toes.  Then deep massage the sole, searching out and working through any achy spots you find.  

Coat the entire foot with a thick layer of creme. Cover with a plastic bag. Tuck into the heated bootie.  

Uncover the other foot. Repeat the same.  

The footies should be on about 10 minutes. You can empty, rinse, and dry, and repack your foot bath and pitcher while the client relaxes.  Or,  optionally, as the client is tilted back at this point, you could wash your hands very well and offer a deep shoulder or light facial massage.  

Plug in your Genie (flat bottomed) massager.

Then remove the footie from the foot you worked on first. Remove the bag, towel off the foot.

Massage the foot with the Genie, concentrating on the sole for 10 minutes. Cover foot with towel.  

Then remove the footie from the other foot. Repeat.  

I used this method at home and in spa for people who spent a great deal of time on their feet, like stylists, and nurses. It will leave them with a sensation of floating when they are back on their dogs!

Gina"

Posted by: gutehands

 

[Pompal 09.]

"Facial Rejuvination"

"In my area, we call them "facial rejuvenation". It's not considered a real facial.  It's a 45 min session with light massage.  

You'll need:

1 crock pot  
3 large bowls
4 hand towels
1 bath towel
lavender essential oil
chamomile essential oil (wild is the cheapest)
lemon essential oil

Add water to crock and submerge towels till covered and heat.  At desired temp switch to warm and uncover. (they get HOT!)

Check towels on the inside of your arm before you apply

Transfer some hot water to 2 of the 3 bowls.  

In first bowl add lavender (1 drop is enough)

In second add Chamomile (1 drop)

The third bowl has chilled water, so add about 4 drops of lemon oil.

2 towels of lavender (one to wrap the face before you begin and one after cleansing is complete.

The chamomile towel goes on face during mask, to sooth and aid in removal of mask.

The lemon towel goes on after toner and before moisturizer.

1.cleanser (massage into skin)
2. 15 min mask  (do hand and or neck while client is wrapped)
3. toner
4. moisturizer with massage
Hope this helps!

Good luck!"

Posted by Elemental

-=-=-=-

"Honey Facial

You will need witch hazel and honey. Plus cotton cleaner pads(don't know correct name for them) and towels(about 3).

You clean the face with witch hazel, while you have  your towels heating.

After you have cleaned the face you  put the honey straight on the face. Make sure to get it all over the face.

You then take one hot towel and wrap the face and then put another dry towel on top. While the heat is penetrating the honey you can do hand or feet massage. After 5 or so minutes you ask the client if the towel is still hot, if not you replace the towels.

After 20 minutes have passed you take the towels off and you wipe any excess honey off. Then you add moisturizer. And that is it.

Pretty simple and fast. It really doesn't take 20 minutes but with adding the reflexology it makes it last. This was very popular in our clinic in school.

Honey is very good for the skin."

Posted by SDBliss

 

[Amaretta]

Ear Massage

"Give them an ear massage to start. begin with them supine, lay your hands flat on their head and with your index and middle fingers making scissors open them going down and close them coming up (softly and gently) then pull and massage the ear lobes.  I have a pt. who is so ticklish that I can not work on him until I do the "ear thing" as he calls it."

Posted by mel

 

[203]

Relaxation for Tense Clients

"If they seem otherwise able to relax and breathe deeply,except when you work the neck and surrounding muscles, try talking them into breathing deeply while counting the inhale and exhale concentrating on the count being the same for each. Then tell them to increase that number each time, with each breath. Count with them, encouraging the positive progress while your hands lay firmly but gently in all areas of thier neck, asking along the way when you feel possible restrictions if this is a pain area. Try lightening your pressure on thier inbreath and increasing pressure on the outbreath if possible on the adhesions or restricted tissue. This allows you to know thier tollerance to your pressure while helping them gain trust in you. It has worked several times for me, and I have worked alot of chronic headache people referred to me by neurologists and primary care physicians. Neck pain and headache clients do not give up thier heads easily! It can be slow, be patient!

If the client has a hard time relaxing in general, tell them the before mentioned breathing and counting exercise, have them do it in the session for as long as it takes. If you begin a massage with the client in prone position, try full body rocking. Shaking the sacrum with full hands and pressure in a very fast and firm movement, rhythm is important! This, over a few mins of constant rocking will make anyone relax. It also allows you to identify some holding patterns to which you can address in the massage.

These techniques have proven effective for me for about 7 years. Remember...PATIENCE!!"

Posted by Laura Tatro

-=-=-=-=-

"I worked with a corporate bean counter boss who, at the end of an intense work day, could not let go. She'd admit that sometimes she was still crunching numbers.  

I'd catch her at it and whisper "minus thirty five thousand" ...or "that's not a credit...yikes! that's a debit"...she'd grin and warn me "red line that!"...but I'd get a little more of the "let go" in the neck muscles that we both were after.  

One lunch break I checked my book and saw her penciled in that afternoon. I walked to the nearby Camelot Music to the Infant section and picked out the most soothing  "Mommy" voice singing lullabies.  

She was prone on the table when I started the tape. Her shoulders jiggled with laughter and she looked up with wry look that meant...Oh Pleeeease!  

I protested "What? I chose it just for you."

Folks, that kind of personal attention has its merits.

She shook her head, smiling... but her body actually noodled out as she was lullabied into the land of Winkin Blinkin and Nod, as I worked.

What holding?  I had to coax Ms. Up-and-at-Em off the table at the end of the session.  

She laughed that it was my fault...it worked!  Her face looked so youthful and free of stress. Almost a new person! So I gave her the tape, "Carla, get some good sleep tonight."

I actually got a hug!  
Gina"

Posted by gutehands

-=-=-=-=-

"A slightly different approach to the tensing that clients do sometimes is called "paradoxical intention".  Because the tensing is often unconscious and therefore a client can be unaware of it and embarassed by having it called to their attention, I have begun asking them to see if they can make an area MORE tense and then release a tiny bit of the tension.   This follows the idea of PMR (progressive muscle relaxation) where the verbal instructions are to tense, tense, tense an area and then release it."

Posted by ymdw2004

-=-=-=-=-

"I have a little trick that works most of the time with those clients who have not responded to other attempts to help them relax the head and neck when working with client in supine position:  I teach the client to relax their head and neck by showing them the difference between tense and relaxed...place your hand across the clients forehead to provide a bit of resistance and ask client to lift their head and resist against your hand for a few seconds.  Then instruct them to release or relax their head and let it rest back on the table.  Repeat this a few times and explain that when you're resisting, you're TENSE; and when you're resting, you're RELAXED.  Soon they will be able to recognize the difference on their own and you won't have to deal with the "holding."  This technique can also work for other areas of the body such as arms or legs, for example.  Just do some contract (with a little resitance) and relax exercises.  Some may need a little "refresher" from time to time.  Try it and let me know how it works for you and your clients.  Hope this helps."

Posted by CanadianRMT

 

[Czech.]

Rocking & Walking Technique

""Rocking & Walking" is a little like a cat, kneading away at a pillow (struggling for a visual here. ha) Use your palms & heels of hand & apply your body weight as leverage, walking & rocking from the upper back down to the soles of the feet & back up again. I start every session out with this. It is not only a good assessment tool, but it gives great introductory pressure to the client before undraping & applying medium."

Posted by sagetherapist

 

[jaysetsfire]

Headaches

"For headaches,  also work the occiput and the eyebrow simultaneously and up and under the brow to the extent the client can take the pressure.  Work medial to lateral from the point of the occiput near the spine combined with the medial corner of the eyebrow, then middle eyebrow and move out on the occiput correspondingly,  then the mastoid process and the outer corner of the eyebrow, though the outer, lateral  corner of the eybrow won't need much compared to the mastoid process behind the ear.  If you hit these points right, not only will they be very sore (let client guide you on pressure),  but you can actually feel the pulsing and even the pain if you're sensitive to it, migrating back and forth between the spots until they hopefully disappear.   You might also try some jaw work on the masseter, as I'm sure that has been clenched during this headache.   Work very slowly and detailed around the posterior neck muscles."

Posted by Bsharp

 

[Gypsy]

SCM Technique

"One technique I learned in a myofascial seminar was very powerful for me personally...I had an emotional response when the instructor demonstrated it on me!  He turned my head to the side to isolate the SCM, had me lift my head off the table to further isolate and placed his four fingers under the SCM muscle near my  ear.  Then you let the head relax back onto the table, and find the muscles but not the jugular beneath the SCM anterior to the transverse processes! (Stop if you feel blood pulsing!) Proceed slowly down the length of the SCM as possible."

Posted by Bsharp

 

[cyborg ninja pirate jesus]

Labor Massage

"As far as techniques, a great one for labor is a pelvic tilt.  If she's laying on her side, place the heel of your hand at the top of her sacrum with your fingers close to the coccyx.  Rest your other hand on her ASIS.  As you tilt her sacrum down and in, gently pull her ASIS toward you.  

Also, you can try a "pelvic squeeze", this feels great to counter the contractions.  If she's sitting, have her lean forward onto the bed/pillows/another person.  Place each of your fists on her gluts and squeeze together.  You may have to adjust the position til it feels "right" for her.

Another techniques that feels great is to do alternate thumb circles on her sacrum, starting at the bottom and working up and out."

Posted by mamajen

-=-=-=-=-

"Labor is when you can do a lot of the things you are meant to avoid during pregnancy massage - and even around due date rather than actually during labor.

Stuff like top of shoulders (meridians) and inside of heel where the reflexology uterus point is.

Essential oils are OK too - again all the essential oils you have to avoid because of their effect on the uterus come out - clary sage, jasmine, rose, and lavender make a lovely massage blend.  (Lavender and tangerine/manderin can be used during pregnancy in low dilution, but I tend to avoid any essential oils until right at the end)  Lavender in the air can help everyone  though an actual oil burner with a flame might not be allowed, best to use an electric one."

Posted by melb

 

[When.There.Isnt.Enough.]

Body Odor

"I have a rectangular sushi plate that has a clean hand towel & some Lever (or Splash n Go, etc) towelettes on the table where the client & I do our pre-therapy chat. I always end my chat with a 'how to prepare' blah-blah. I always add that this clean towel & towelettes are here for you to use as you wish before or after the massage. If they use them beforehand, I always quickly & quietly replace them before leaving the room, so more are available as they get ready to check-out."

Posted by sagetherapist