Your top techniques, geographically

[Eleanor]

Hey folks,

Prelude: I have to say, my favorite thing to do right now is something I learned from the forum here. It's to pin the levator attachment at the scapula and ask the client to actively mobilize their shoulder. I generally have them do elevation & depression first, then I ask them to roll their shoulder both forward and back.

It's seriously the most effective thing I've found for addressing levator. I can even do it on myself, to some extent.

That came out of a thread all about working with that muscle... I'd like this thread to be similar, but the scope is the whole body, specifically common muscles of complaint, but uncommon ones too... with an aim toward answering the question: what's the best single technique you've found?

 

[Tapioca Is A Pipe Bomb!]

I have had a seeming epidemic of men, including my significant other, with QL problems this last week . So, I have had lots of practice on that particular muscle lately. My favorite way to work it is to have them sidelying with bolsters to keep them steady. I work the muscle directly for awhile until I can feel it start to let go and they quit jumping around and say that it's starting to feel less intense. Then I usually finish the area by using Post Isometric Relaxation. I have them straighten their top leg out and brace my forearm against the top of their ilium, with a sheet over the area, so I don't slip. Then I have them elevate their hip toward their ear against my resistance for a slow count to 5 or 6. Then let them relax, (usually gaining some movement on the hip) Brace again and repeat a couple of times. This is a great idea for a thread and I'm looking forward to what everyone else has to contribute. Thanks, Lisa

 

[Brooks]

For working the cervicals supine (esp: splenius capitis, SCM, and levator).

I start with the clients head in neutral postition.
Once my hand is in placement at the occipital ridge - I will move the neck towards my hand and work my way down the neck with either muscle stripping (all in one movement) or I will rock back and forth while inching my way down with each movement.

I have found this technique to be very effective - after warming the muscles up good first.

Great topic EgoMagickan!

 

[thiny72]

Client supine; working on the really tough spots that pepper the traps, posterior scalenes, even splenus cap, etc -
I warm up the neck & shoulders & hone in on one of the huge buggers & keep constant pressure with my thumb (med-deep, not too aggressive). I lift the head with my other hand & keeping the nose pointing towards the ceiling, I maneuver the head in small, slow circles, partial arcs & reversed movements. The culprits have been dissolving & softening in the coolest way!

(I love the QL post... thanks!)

Jill/sagetherapist

 

[TrishARoo]

I LOVE the levator technique!!! After reading this post, I tried it out on myself and then my husband. I can't wait to incorporate it into my massages.

I am a big fan of "steam rolling" the erectors. Facing the client's feet, I place my forearm horizontally across the PSIS with my elbow next to the spine (after a good warm up of the entire back musculature). With most of the weight of the stroke coming from my elbow, I slowly start to make my way up the erectors with deep pressure and a rocking/vibration movement. Just enough back and forth movement to cover what usually always feels like a bundle of ropes. I move all the way up the spine into the trap with the same vibration, slide off the trap, stroke down the arm and move into position again. I repeat this 3-4 times, stopping for deep friction on the particularly stubborn areas. It's a deep move that can be painful, but working with the client's breath and moving slowly to the let the body release on its own proves to be a very effective technique. Knots and trigger points melt away with the vibration.

Love this thread!

 

[Yasmine =P]

When steamrolling you're walking backwards then?

 

[mugwaffin]

Yes. I kind of turn my arm/body more to face the client as I head up towards the shoulder. It's kind of hard to explain. But I can certainly try if this just makes it more confusing :shock:

 

[martinhea13]

Yes. I kind of turn my arm/body more to face the client as I head up towards the shoulder. It's kind of hard to explain. But I can certainly try if this just makes it more confusing :shock:

I have to say I was a bit confused about this one too - although it sounds great. I think I am picturing it correctly now. I will have to test it out sometime on my MT.

 

[syahir sephiroth]

This is my favorite technique for releasing tension throughout the hips (glutes, piriformis, etc). This whole technique is done through the sheet. Begin with some compression/cat paw and gentle rocking to the gluteal muscles. Then move into specific trigger point therapy work around the greater trochanter, iliac crest, sacral border, and muscle belly. I follow up with some more compression/cat paw and rocking to soothe the muscles (trigger point therapy can be intense). I repeat this technique for the other side. I then stand on a footstool next to the table, beside the hips. Facing the feet, I place one hand on each glute, the heels of my hands along each side of the sacrum. I then do alternating deep compression to one glute and then the other. I move my hands outward toward the greater trochanter and then back again to the sacral border. Next, I place my hands (one on top of the other) directly on the sacrum and compress down. Holding the compression, I move my hands in a slow circle, first clockwise and then counterclockwise. This massages all the borders of the sacrum, warms the sacral fascia and stimulates the cranial-sacral fluid flow. You can experiment with various sacral compression techniques here – alternating pressure on one side of the sacrum and then the other. You can also hit the acupressure points (on either side of the sacrum and in the sacral fossa). Finish with steady pressure on the center of the sacrum again, and then lift your hand until there’s barely any pressure and gently begin rocking your hand. The rocking motion will first move the client's sacrum and hips and usually your whole client’s body will follow in a rocking motion. I use this technique at the end of the prone portion of the massage session. Clients love it!

 

[Wayne(Brandon)2]

Bliss, I can't wait to try that one... it actually sounds perfect for MY body! ha
Jill/Sagetherapist

 

[Graci]

UP

Thought this was a great topic and hoping to revive it. I am doing some research for good work to address semispinalis capitis...

 

[Anton]

It's hard to pick just one technique, but here it goes.

It's very, very simple but effective and my clients love it. I use this technique for clients with general and specific back issues. I only do this technique with regulars due to the draping issues. I explain the process first then ask them if they would be interested in trying it. You pros already probably already do this, but I figured I'd mention it.

I first do general warming to the back and glutes to get the blood flowing so to speak. Then I undrape the side of the body I'm going to work first. I undrape to the knee following the line of the spine. Using only a minimal amount of creame (depends mostly on how hydrated the tissue is), I begin with palms with moderate pressure and perform a glide down the back starting the shoulder (less pressure on the scap) and continue the glide through the back, through the glutes, through the hams. I repeat a couple of times, using my forearm the last sweep. I then revierse the direction starting just above the knee and back up to the shoulder. Repeat for the other side. By the time I've done both sides, I can then go into specific areas of concern.

See. Told ya it was waaaay siimple but very effective.

This is a great topic.

 

[yakevinhoo63]

Great thread to revive!

Gaspen, I do something similar, but I start at the foot, using my elbow and forearm, slide all the way up to the upper traps. I also only do this on regular clients who know what to expect.