How do you begin and end a massage?

[MJ_Lover_OX]

We are getting ready to begin clinics and we are starting to put together a routine. ( I love school!! ;D) I thought it might help some of us students if maybe some of the more experienced of you could share how you begin and end your massages. Do you start prone or supine? Do you begin with head/face or arms and back? Basically could you give a simple walkthrough of how your routine goes? I know it varies from person to person, and this would be interesting to me and I'm sure some of the other students as well.Thanks!!  

 

[prettykitty]

If my client presents neck/shoulder pain I start supine at the head neck and shoulders.  If they present back or hip pain I start prone at the back.I typically don't include the abdomen, but I just got a massage and the MT included it and it felt WONDERFUL to truly have my whole body massaged!  So I am thinking about my routine and how to work it in with a nice flow.When I was first starting out I wanted to start clients prone because then they weren't as inclined to talk to me and I felt like I really needed to concentrate.  Now I prefer to start them supine because I really like my neck work and I know how relaxing it is, so I like to get  them ultra relaxed as soon as possible.

 

[Month]

Depending on the needs of the client, I generally start supine. I place my hands on their shoulders and take a deep breath while instructing the client to do the same. I then sweep my hand from their shoulders through to their neck to rest my hands at the back of their head, with my finger tips at the occupit, from their I proceed with the head/face then neck & shoulders. To end the massage (assuming starting supine) I cover the client, to gentle cross stretchs then a gentle rock up the back, to finish with a brief scalp massage to gently rouse the client. Works well for me.  

 

[Tia]

How do you begin and end a massage?

I make a real effort to mix it up. Even if someone comes in with neck complaints or back or leg...., try to do a general warmup before anything else, so it isn't as critical if I start them prone or supine based on what their area of focus is.There are a couple of good reasons I have heard for starting prone though. One has to do with feelings of safety for the client. The supine position is much more exposing; on a primal level, the vicera are right there, and on a more psychological level, the client is in the position of facing the MT with only a thin sheet for protection. For a new person particularly, it can be challenging. At least if they have the oppurtunity to get comfortable lying prone, it allows them to make the connection with the mt before putting themselves in a vulnerable position.The second has to do with drainage. When lying prone, the sinuses are much more likely to get backed up. If one starts prone and ends supine, there is a chance for the sinuses to clear before they get off the table.With the people I have been working with for a while, I do try to mix it up just so things don't seem the same every time. When a "routine" becomes routine, it's not fun for the mt or for the client, imho.

 

[Pompal 09.]

How do you begin and end a massage?

It's nice that you get to have some input on how your internship massages go. We had to follow a set list, and were told that all we could do was relaxation, no "therapy" at all.But now... I usually start clients prone, do a resting stroke at occiput and sacrum, then begin. And I end by doing a table shiatsu stretch on both toes, simply pointing them in and down, just to a soft end feel, and then gently lift up both feet by sliding my hands up the achilles, then I switch hands, making an energetic figure 8.Jillyay for better schools!

 

[Elisa]

If they are prone, I start with efflurage to the entire back, then strip the erectors. I end them with scalp massage, compressions on the aconiums,  over the sheet, a few circular strokes to the abdomen, gentle rocking of the pelvis,  compressions down the quads, stroke down the tibia to the ankles, grasp the ankles firmly and do a gentle stretch. I hold the feet for grounding while I tell them in a low voice that our time is up, and to please take their time getting up from the table. I thank them and leave the roomIf they are supine, I start with scalp and face, and end with holding the occiput while telling them our time is up, etc.

 

[SarahCasey]

Hi,

Heres a tip that can be very useful for new students...

remember this sentence
"I Have Created a Formula to Guarantee Relaxation in Clients"

The first letter of the key words represents a seforum.xxxe in the treatment process.
I - introductory Techniques (rocking, compressions, diaphragmatic breathing, etc)
H= Hydrotherapy (apply warm hydrotherapy for chronic conditions)
C=Compensatory Structures (work on them while hydro is being applied)
F=Fascial work (work on fascial restrictions after hydrotherapy has been applied)
G=General Swedish Massage
R=Remedial Exercises (Stretch. strengthen or mobilize the joint)
C=Closing techniques (stroking, rocking, compressions etc)

If you ever get stuck when treating clients, follow this template and it should help guide you through the process... Hope this helps!

 

[noiniusiapire]

I like to start prone, with a gentle rocking before I undrape the back to begin the massage. I end the actual massage at the scalp, then do compressions to the shoulders, hips, down the legs, grasp the ankles for a stretch, then hold their feet while I tell them our time is up, please take their time getting up, I will be in the hallway to walk them down the steps. I always go first down the steps in case someone gets dizzy or light headed, so I can assist if needed. I very the massage to the client's needs, but I like to begin and end the same way most of the time.

 

[Judy.May.]

Be careful to not be too regimented in yoru routine.
We learned a fullbody routine and it was fine for me (start ct. supine at the head........). All was good until the one day as I entered the room my client was prone.....now I fell into the routine easily enough but I KNOW my uneasiness translated in my massage......The good thing was that it happened in clinic when it's ok to goofup a bit. It's a learning experience....
I'll post another time about how clingy new flannel sheets can be....LOL

RObyn

 

[coopersj2002]

We start in the prone position with a polarity hold, feather stroke, and spinal rock, then begin on the back, back of the arms, back of the legs, then the same only on the anterior side.

 

[Beach Blondie]

I start the massage with :
"Do you have a preference for starting face-up or face-down?" Either way I explain the benefits and why is it the right choice for that situation(they always make the right choice either for sinus drainage or addressing more partition areas vs ending with wide range glides). I instruct on diaphragmatic breathing and as an end usually I focus on shakes and cross hand stretches.

 

[Sexual Predator]

For a relaxations massage I start the client face up. Routine varies with what client needs and or wants. But a standard frame for a 60 minute massage is like this.

Face & Head 5 mins, Neck & Pecs 10 mins (5 mins on each side), Arms 10 mins, Legs 10 mins, *FLIP* Back 10 mins, Legs 10 mins, Feet 5 mins.

If the clients needs help with other areas I can switch it up. Say spend a few minutes less here and there to give more time on the area that needs the most work.

Steph!