Shiatsu Massage

Alta College

730 Pacific coast highway, Suite 105

Redondo beach, CA 90277

(310) 540-3355

SHIATSU MASSAGE INSTRUCTIONS

This is one of the many types of Shiatsu massage that we teach, we also teach many types of many other massage techniques. We recommend that you learn massage at our college or at another state licensed massage college. Any use of this or any other information on our website is at your own risk.

Shiatsu Massage is performed with the client fully clothed except with their shoes off.

Always make sure you have proper posture, keep your low back arched toward your

abdomen. Stand in fencing position (one leg forward, with the forward knee bent). Keep your

arms straight as much as possible. Start by warming up your hands by rubbing your palms

together so your hands are a comfortable temperature when you first put your hands on the

client.

POSTERIOR BODY –

  1. Neck – Thumb pressure on the neck - starting from the occipital (base of the skull) down to the shoulders, press with thumbs, 3 lines; 5 points on each side along the vertebrae, close to the vertebrae, 5 points on each side along the vertebrae, one finger width from the vertebrae, 5 points on each side along the vertebrae, two finger widths from the vertebrae. Avoid pressure on the vertebrae or trachea, repeat each line 3 times then go to the next line.
  2. Shoulders
  1. Palm pressure on the shoulders - press with palms of hands in 3 areas, the first across the top of the shoulders next to the neck, the second ½ way from the neck to the deltoid muscle and the third area just medial to the deltoid, repeat 3 times.
  2. Cupped hands rocking the shoulders - put your right hand cupped around the client’s right shoulder, your left hand cupped around the clients left shoulder. Push with your right hand and pull with your left hand, then push with your left hand and pull with your right hand, repeat in a rocking motion 12 times.
  3. Palm circular pressure on the scapula - using the heel of the palms below the spine of the scapula rub in a circular motion, 3 circles, repeat 3 times.
  4. Thumb pressure under the medial border of the scapula - lift the client’s right shoulder away from the table with your right hand, use thumb pressure on 5 points under the medial border of the scapula from superior to inferior, repeat 3 times. Lift the client’s left shoulder away from the table with your left hand, press on 5 points under the medial border of the scapula from superior to inferior, repeat 3 times.
  5. Thumb pressure on shoulder and upper back, 4 lines - press with the thumbs on the following areas.
  1. 1st line, 3 points along the trapezius (superficial) and supraspinatus (deep).
  1. 1st point next to the next just above and beside C7.
  2. 2nd point ½ way between the neck and the deltoid muscle.
  3. 3rd point lateral and between the clavicle and spine of the scapula, repeat 3 times.
  1. 2nd line, 5 points, starting opposite of C7 down erector spinae muscle.
  1. All points are one rib apart and lateral to the spinous processes of the vertebrae, repeat 3 times.
  1. 3rd line, 5 points, along the medial or vertebral border of the scapula down the rhomboid muscle, repeat 3 times.
  1. 1st point just above and next to the superior angle skipping a rib to the 5th point, repeat 3 times.
  1. 4th line, 3 points, along the supraspinatus superior to the spine of scapula from medial to lateral, repeat 3 times.
  1. Arm
  1. Squeeze and roll (kneading) the deltoid muscle – 3 places from the proximal, to the medial, to the distal part of the deltoid muscle.
  1. Grasp anterior of deltoid muscle with thumbs and posterior with flat of fingers.
  2. Squeeze and roll simultaneously 3 times, on each of the 3 places on the deltoid muscle, repeat sequence 3 times.
  1. Squeeze and roll (kneading) the triceps muscle – 3 places from the proximal, to the medial, to the distal part of the deltoid muscle.
        1. Tuck fingers under triceps muscle, grasp top with thumbs.
        2. Squeeze and roll muscle simultaneously 3 times, on each of the 3 places on the triceps muscle, repeat sequence 3 times.
  1. Forearm – Arm position 90 degrees towards the head.
  1. Palm pressure along the side of the brachioradialis - 1st line, 5 points - use palm pressure along the side of the brachioradialis down the radius, ending between the extensor pollicis longus and brevis (crease of wrist on the radius side), repeat 3 times.
  2. Thumb pressure along the side of the brachioradialis - 2nd line, 5 points - use thumb pressure along the side of the brachioradialis down the radius, ending between the extensor pollicis longus and brevis (crease of wrist on the radius side), repeat 3 times.
  3. Palm pressure between the ulna and radius - 3rd line, 5 points – palm pressure down arm between the ulna and radius, from elbow to wrist, ending between the tendons of the extensor indicis and pollicis longus (depression in posterior wrist proximal to the middle finger), repeat 3 times.
  4. Thumb pressure between the ulna and radius - 4th line, 5 points – thumb pressure down arm between the ulna and radius, from elbow to wrist, ending between the tendons of the extensor indicis and pollicis longus (depression in posterior wrist proximal to the middle finger), repeat 3 times.
  1. Hand – Posterior
  1. Fingers and thumbs squeeze the wrist – place fingers on one side of the wrist and thumbs on the other side of the wrist and squeeze, repeat 3 times.
  2. Heels of your palms squeeze and spread the back of the hand - Grasp the client’s palm with your fingers and with the heels of your palms together squeeze and spread the back of the hand outward. 3 times.
  3. Slide your thumbs between the metacarpals - slide your thumbs on the back of the client’s hand, from the proximal part of the metacarpals, down between the metacarpals onto the webbing between the fingers. Start by sliding one of your thumbs between the 4th and 5th and at the same time your other thumb between the 2nd and 3rd metacarpals, repeat 3 times. Then slide one of your thumbs between the 3rd and 4th metacarpals and at the same time your other thumb between the 1st and 2nd metacarpals, repeat 3 times.
  4. Thumb pressure between the metacarpals - use thumb pressure on 5 points, on the back of the client’s hand, from the proximal part of the metacarpals, down between the metacarpals onto the webbing between the fingers. Start by pressing with one of your thumbs between the 4th and 5th metacarpals, at the same time press with your other thumb between the 2nd and 3rd metacarpals, repeat 3 times. Then press with one of your thumbs between the 3rd and 4th metacarpals, at the same time press with your other thumb between the 1st and 2nd metacarpals, repeat 3 times.
  5. Thumb pressure on the acupressure spot Large Intestine 4 - Press the dorsal interossei (muscle between the 1st and 2nd metacarpals) between your thumb and you index finger for the acupressure point named Large Intestine 4, Hold for few seconds, 3 times.
  6. Rocking the wrist - balance client’s wrist on your index fingers, put your thumbs on top of the wrist and rock back and forth 12 times.
  7. Traction and shake the arm - lift slightly the client’s arm, traction toward you, gently shake and lye the clients arm back on the table at their side.
  1. Back
  1. Rocking the back - position your left hand gently across the client’s spine in the area of the rhomboid muscles. Put your right hand across the spine in the low back and push forward and pull toward yourself with your right hand so the clients low back is rocking, do this 12 times, you will be able to feel their spine moving back and forth under your left stationary hand.
  2. Palm stretching the erector spinae muscles - cross your straight arms, put your palms on the muscles next to the right side of the spine by the 1st thoracic vertebrae and lean your weight forward so your palms are stretching the erector spinae muscles, repeat 4 more areas down the back to the sacrum. Then repeat up the left side from the sacrum to the left side of the 1st thoracic vertebrae in 5 areas.
  3. Rocking the spine - put your fingers of your left hand on the erector spinae muscles next to the right side of the spine by the 1st thoracic vertebrae, put your right hand on top of your left hand, pull toward yourself and allow the spine to swing back to the right side 12 times. Repeat this procedure on 4 more areas down the side of the spine to the area just above the sacrum, move one hand at a time, putting the following hand on top of the leading hand. Then put the fingers of the left hand on the erector spinae muscles next to the left side of the spine just above the sacrum, put your right hand over your left hand, push forward and allow the spine to swing back toward you 12 times. Repeat this procedure on 4 more areas up the side of the spine to the left side of the 1st thoracic vertebrae, move one hand at a time, putting the following hand on top of the leading hand.
  4. Palm pressure along the sides of the spine - position your arms and elbows straight, palm (heel) of your hand next to the spine, fingers pointing lateral. Press down 5 areas, starting between the spines of the scapulas down to the just above the sacrum, along the erector spinae muscles, which lie along side of the spinous processes of the spinal column. Have your patient exhale on pressure. Breathe with patient. Repeat sequence 3 times.
  5. Thumb pressure on 14 points 2 finger widths from spine, plus 4 points on the sacrum - using thumbs, press on 14 points on muscles on opposite sides of the spine, 2 finger widths from spine, starting from the spine of the scapula, move your thumbs one vertebrae inferior to each next point, down to the lower lumbar region above the sacrum bone. Then press 4 points – down each side of the spinous processes of the sacrum. Repeat 14 points then 4 points sequence, 3 times.
  6. Thumb pressure on 14 points 4 finger widths from spine - using thumbs, press on 14 points on muscles on opposite sides of the spine, 4 finger widths from spine, starting from the spine of the scapula, move your thumbs one vertebrae inferior to each next point, down to the lower lumbar region above the sacrum bone, repeat 3 times.
  7. Thumb pressure under the lateral sides of the erector spinae muscles - push inward toward the spine on 3 points, under the lateral sides of the erector spinae muscles, just below the rib cage, one half way between the rib cage and the sacrum and just above the sacrum, 3 times.
  1. Hipbone – Circular heels of hands pressure along the lower edges of the iliac crests - using heels of hands in 3 circular movements on three positions on the top of the Gluteus Muscle along the lower edge of the iliac crest.
  1. 1st position - gluteus medius muscle which is below the top of the iliac crest.
  2. 2nd position - gluteus maximus back and in towards the sacrum.
  3. 3rd position - gluteus maximus next to the superior part of the sacrum.
  1. Posterior Thigh
  1. Forearm pressure on the hamstring muscle - using your forearm, press down on the hamstring muscle on 5 points, from the first point below the gluteus maximus muscle to the 5th point on the posterior part of the knee. Use light pressure on the last point on the posterior part of the knee, repeat 3 times.
  2. Rolling forearm pressure on the hamstring muscle - using your forearm with 3 forward rolling, pressing motions, press down on the hamstring muscle on 5 points, from the first point below the gluteus maximus muscle to the 5th point on the posterior part of the knee. Use light pressure on the last point on the posterior part of the knee, repeat 3 times.
  3. Thumb pressure on the hamstring muscle - using your thumb, press down on the hamstring muscle on 5 points, from the first point below the gluteus maximus muscle to the 5th point on the posterior part of the knee. Use light pressure on the last point on the posterior part of the knee, repeat 3 times. Posterior lower Leg
  1. Forearm pressure on the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles - using your forearm, press down on the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles on 5 points, from the first point just below the posterior part of the knee to the 5th point just above the posterior part of the ankle, repeat 3 times.
  2. Rolling forearm pressure on the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles - using your forearm with 3 forward rolling, pressing motions, press down on the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles on 5 points, from the first point just below the posterior part of the knee to the 5th point just above the posterior part of the ankle, repeat 3 times.
  3. Thumb pressure on the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles - using your thumb, press down on the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles on 5 points, from the first point just below the posterior part of the knee to the 5th point just above the posterior part of the ankle, repeat 3 times.
  4. Squeeze and roll (kneading) the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles - squeeze and roll (kneading) motion, on 5 points, from the first point just below the posterior part of the knee to the 5th point just above the posterior part of the ankle. Squeeze gastrocnemius and soleus muscles posterior by gripping muscle between thumbs and straight fingers. Roll muscle posterior 3 times in each position and repeat the 5-point sequence 3 times.
  1. Foot
  1. Thumb and finger pressure on the ankle – place thumbs and fingers between the medial and lateral malleolus and heel and squeeze 3 times.
  2. Palms squeeze heel – interlock your fingers and squeeze the client’s heel with the palms of your hands, 3 times.
  3. Thumb pressure on the bottom of the foot - press 5 spots, starting distal to the calcaneus, ending proximal to the phalanges, on 5 lines, starting lateral along the 5th metatarsal, ending medial along the 1st metatarsal, repeat 3 times.
  4. Thumb pressure on the pads proximal to the phalanges – press 5 points, on the bottom of the foot, one proximal to each phalange, starting lateral and ending medial, repeat 3 times.
  5. Roll knuckles over the bottom of the foot – roll your knuckles forward over the bottom of the foot, starting proximal to the phalanges, ending distal to the calcaneus, repeat 3 times.
  6. Stretch quadriceps muscles - hold foot with hands, bend knee and push heel toward hip, to client tolerance (ask the client to tell you if you are pushing too hard).
  7. Stretch the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles - Hold foot vertical and push toes towards floor, to client tolerance (ask the client to tell you if you are pushing too hard).
  8. Traction the leg - straighten out the leg, hold the leg above the table, pull with light pressure, shake gently and set the leg down on the table.

ANTERIOR BODY

      1. Thigh
        1. Palm pressure on the anterior part of the thigh - use heels of palms for pressure, keeping arms and elbows straight press on 5 points starting 4 inches below the hip on the top of the quadriceps muscle, down to 2 inches above the patella, repeat 3 times.
        2. Thumb pressure on the anterior part of the thigh - use thumb pressure on 5 points starting 4 inches below the hip on the top of the quadriceps muscle, down to 2 inches above the patella, repeat 3 times.
        3. Vertical rotary movement on the sides of the patella also called the bicycle pedal – cup sides of patella and roll with heel of palms, 12 times.
        4. Palm pressure on the lateral part of the thigh - use heels of palms for pressure, keeping arms and elbows straight on 5 points on the lateral side of the thigh starting 4 inches below the hip, ending 2 inches above the knee, repeat 3 times.
        5. Thumb pressure on the lateral part of the thigh - use thumb pressure on 5 points on the lateral side of the thigh starting 4 inches below the hip, ending 2 inches above the knee, repeat 3 times.
        6. Lateral movement on the top and bottom of the patella - grasp the patella on top and bottom, rub back and forth, 12 times.
        7. Palm pressure on the medial part of the thigh - use heels of palms for pressure, keeping arms and elbows straight, press on 5 points, starting 4 inches below the groin, to 2 inches above the knee on the medial thigh, repeat 3 times.
        8. Thumb pressure on the medial part of the thigh - use thumb pressure, keeping arms and elbows straight, press on 5 points, starting 4 inches below the groin, to 2 inches above the knee on the medial thigh, repeat 3 times.
  1. Anterior leg - Palm pressure on the medial part of the leg - use heels of palms for pressure, keeping arms and elbows straight, press on 5 points, starting 2 inches below the knee, to 2 inches above the ankle on the medial leg, repeat 3 times.
  2. Thumb pressure on the medial part of the leg - use thumb pressure, keeping arms and elbows straight, press on 5 points, starting 2 inches below the knee, to 2 inches above the ankle on the medial leg, repeat 3 times.
  3. Palm pressure on the lateral part of the leg - use heels of palms for pressure, keeping arms and elbows straight, press on 5 points, starting 2 inches below the knee, to 2 inches above the ankle on the lateral leg, repeat 3 times.
  4. Thumb pressure on the tibialis anterior muscle - use thumb pressure, keeping arms and elbows straight, press on 5 points, starting 2 inches below the knee, to 2 inches above the ankle on the tibialis anterior muscle, repeat 3 times.
  5. Thumb pressure on the peroneus longus muscle - use thumb pressure, keeping arms and elbows straight, press on 5 points, starting just below the head of the fibula ending above the lateral malleolus (anklebone), on the peroneus longus muscle, repeat 3 times.
      1. Foot
        1. Ankle squeeze - squeeze ankle with fingers and thumbs on each side, repeat 3 times.
        2. Spread the top of the foot - hold the client’s foot with your hands and use heels of your hands to spread the top of foot, repeat 3 times.
        3. Stretch the toes - hold the client’s toes with your hand, extend and flex the toes, repeat 3 times.
        4. Stretch the anterior thigh and leg - lift the leg and bend the knee, bring the knee toward the chest and the heel toward the hip, push down gently on the top of the toes toward the hip to client tolerance (ask the client to tell you if you are pushing to hard).
        5. Stretch the posterior thigh and leg - Bring the leg straight up and push gently toward their head and push the toes gently toward their body to client tolerance (ask the client to tell you if you are pushing too hard).
        6. Traction and shake the leg - straighten out the leg, hold with both hands slightly above the table, gently pull and shake the leg and place on the table.
      2. Abdomen
        1. Sun moon circular massage on the abdomen - rub alternating one hand over the other, in a clockwise position around the umbilicus, over the ascending, transverse and descending colon, repeat 12 times.
        2. Palm pressure on the abdomen - Press gently with heel of your on the right side of the client’s abdomen over the inferior part of the ascending colon. Press gently with heel of your hand over the medial part of the ascending colon. Press gently with heel of your hand over the superior part of the ascending colon. Press gently with heel of your on the right side of the client’s abdomen over the right part of the transverse colon. Press gently with heel of your hand over the medial part of the transverse colon. Press gently with heel of your hand over the left part of the transverse colon. Press gently with heel of your on the left side of the client’s abdomen over the superior part of the descending colon. Press gently with heel of your hand over the medial part of the descending colon. Press gently with heel of your hand over the inferior part of the descending colon. Press gently with heel of your on the right side of the client’s abdomen over the left side of the last part of the small intestines. Press gently with the heel of your hand over the medial area of the last part of the small intestine. Press gently with heel of your hand over the right side of the last part of the small intestine, repeat 3 times.
      3. Biceps – turn elbow out 90 degree angle
        1. Squeeze and roll (kneading) the biceps muscle - reach under biceps with your fingers and grasp top of biceps with your thumb. Squeeze and roll simultaneously 3 times on the proximal part of the biceps muscle, then the middle, then the distal part of the biceps muscle, repeat sequence 3 times.
        2. Palm pressure on the inside forearmturn hand over exposing inside of forearm, use palm pressure on 5 points starting from below the elbow along the flexor muscles to the wrist, repeat 3 times.
        3. Thumb pressure on the inside forearm - 5 points starting from below the elbow along the flexor muscles to the wrist, repeat 3 times.
      4. Hand
        1. Fingers and thumbs squeeze the wrist – place fingers on one side of the wrist and thumbs on the other side of the wrist and squeeze, repeat 3 times
        2. Spread the client’s palm using the heels of your hands - hold the client’s hand palm up with your hands and use heels of your hands to spread the palm of the client’s hand, repeat 3 times.
        3. Slide your thumbs between the metacarpals - slide your thumbs on the client’s palm from the proximal part of the metacarpals, down between the metacarpals onto the webbing between the fingers. Start by sliding one of your thumbs between the 4th and 5th and at the same time your other thumb between the 2nd and 3rd metacarpals, repeat 3 times. Then slide one of your thumbs between the 3rd and 4th metacarpals and at the same time your other thumb between the 1st and 2nd metacarpals, repeat 3 times.
        4. Thumb pressure between the metacarpals - use thumb pressure on 5 points, on the client’s palm, from the proximal part of the metacarpals, down between the metacarpals onto the webbing between the fingers. Start by pressing with one of your thumbs between the 4th and 5th metacarpals, at the same time press with your other thumb between the 2nd and 3rd metacarpals, repeat 3 times. Then press with one of your thumbs between the 3rd and 4th metacarpals, at the same time press with your other thumb between the 1st and 2nd metacarpals, repeat 3 times.
        5. Thumb pressure on the acupressure spot Large Intestine 4 - Press the dorsal interossei (muscle between the 1st and 2nd metacarpals) between your index finger and your thumb for the acupressure point named Large Intestine 4, Hold for few seconds, 3 times.
        6. Rub client’s fingers between your thumb and index finger - start at base of their 5th finger and rub the front and back of their finger to the tip, then rotate and rub the sides of their 5th finger from the base to the tip. Move your hand back to the base of the finger and pull on the finger. Repeat on all of the fingers from the 5th to the 1st finger. Then do this sequence 3 times.
        7. Traction the hand, forearm and arm - raise the clients hand, forearm and arm straight up in the air, shake gently and lye their hand, forearm and arm on the table by their side.
      5. Chest – Finger circular pressure on the upper chest - Press 3 position just inferior to the clavicle, using flats of all fingers.
        1. Fingers facing in, next to the sternum just inferior to the clavicle. Use a circular motion, 3 circles.
        2. Fingers facing feet just under the clavicle, ½ way between the clavicle and the deltoid muscle, use circular motion, 3 circles.
        3. Fingers facing lateral under clavicle, just medial to the deltoid muscle, use circular motion, 3 circles. Repeat 3 position sequence 3 times.
      6. Neck

  1. Lift and stretch the neck - with your finger tips facing together bridge neck, lift the neck straight up, chin pointing to the ceiling pull towards the occipital in a smooth movement and set down, 3 times, repeat 3 sets.
  2. Crossed arms cervical stretch - lift the client’s head up towards their chest with your left hand. Slip your right arm under the base of their neck. Cup your right fingers over the top of their left shoulder, rest their head on the top of your forearm. Cross your left arm under your right arm, cup your left fingers over the top of their right shoulder. Slowly lift the client’s head towards their chest and toward their left shoulder, stretching the muscles on the left side of their neck. Bring the clients head back to the mid-line. While maintaining forward traction, move your right arm under your left arm, stretch their neck to the right side. Repeat the left and right stretches a total of three times each,
  3. Alternating cervical lateral traction - hold the client’s head with your hands. Press the third finger of your left hand into the side of the spinous process of the second cervical vertebrae on the left side, use that as a fulcrum by moving their head to the left side with your right hand, producing some lateral traction at that right vertebral space. Bring their head back to the mid-line. Press the third finger of your right hand into the side of the spinous process of the third cervical vertebrae on the right side, use that as a fulcrum by moving their head to the right side with your left hand, producing some lateral traction at that left vertebral space. Continue these same movements on alternating vertebrae down to the seventh cervical vertebrae and back up to the second cervical vertebrae.
      1. Head – Fingers circular massage the head - Hold clients head in your left hand with their head turned toward the left, massage the right side of their head with your fingers, using 3 circular movements in 4 areas, from front to back. Hold clients head in your right hand with their head turned to the right, massage the left side of their head with your fingers, using 3 circular movements in 4 areas, from front to back. Place client’s head straight on the table and massage both sides of their head with your fingers, using circular movements in 4 areas, from front to back.
      2. Face
        1. Slide thumbs across the forehead – from medial to lateral, from top of eyebrow to temples, middle of forehead to side of forehead and top of forehead to side of forehead, repeat 3 times.
        2. Fingers circular pressure on the face - use your 2nd, 3rd and 4th fingers to do small circles on the client’s face starting at the forehead using a verticle pattern up and down the face, covering the whole face.
        3. Thumb and index finger pressure on the ear - press the ear between your thumb and index finger on 5 points starting from the ear lobe up to top of the ear, repeat 3 times.
        4. Cupped hands over the ears - cup your hands over the client’s ears for 30 seconds, then slowly pull your hand away.