ALTA COLLEGE

730 S. PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY STE.105

REDONDO BEACH, CA. 90277

(310) 540-3355

SWEDISH MASSAGE INSTRUCTIONS

This is one of the many types of Swedish 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.

Preparation

Adjust the height of the table so that the top of the table is at the level of your knuckles when you are standing. Open up one sheet and put it over the top of the table, open up another sheet and put it over that sheet and fold it back about 6 inches on the side of the table near the head rest. Place a paper towel over the headrest and make a lengthwise opening in the paper towel so the client can breath easier. Introduce yourself to the client and bring them into the room. Tell them that when you leave the room they can take off or leave on what ever clothing they are comfortable with and lye face down between the sheets with their head in the head rest, tell them you will be back in a few minutes and leave the room, closing the door as you leave. After a few minutes knock on the door and ask if they are ready, if they say they are, enter the room. Ask them if they want a light, moderate or firm massage, after they respond, tell them if your massage is to light or to firm to let you know. Always keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen. It is a good idea to think of the names of whatever muscles you are massaging whenever you are massing them; this can help you learn anatomy faster and easier, which can help you give a better massage. The amount of repetitions listed in the following instructions are approximately how many you can do in a one hour massage, however, there are many variables so you need to adjust the amount accordingly. We not want to teach people to massage like robots; it is our goal is to teach you to do a holistic massage. If your client needs some relaxation, do some relaxing Swedish massage. If they have muscle spasms, do some deep tissue massage. If they have some excess fluid retention do some lymphatic massage. If they have sports injuries, do some sports massage, etc..

BACK

Effleurage

Stand at the head of the table facing the client who is lying prone on the table. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put one leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend the forward knee. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight arms and open hands, one hand on each side of the clients upper back, just lateral to each side of the spinous processes of the spine. Use a long stroking motion from the client’s upper back to the top of their sacrum. Bend your knee that is in front of you more as your hands move down the back, this will help give you more forward movement with less effort. Step to the side of the table if it is necessary to do so to reach the low back. Put a little pressure with the heels of your hands on the superior aspect of the client’s sacrum pushing in an inferior direction. Bring your hands back up the sides of the clients back about one finger width lateral to the spinous processes of the vertebral column, as you do this straighten out your forward bent knee this will help give you more movement up the clients back with less effort. As your hands come up the back to the level of the shoulders, move your hands laterally across the back of the shoulders over the trapezius muscles and posterior deltoid muscles, across the sides of the shoulders over the lateral deltoid muscles, around to the front of the clients shoulders, across the front of the clients shoulders over the anterior deltoid muscles. Continue pulling your hands up the sides of the client’s neck over the sternocleidomastoid muscles and trapezius muscles, moving superior and posterior to the bottom of the occipital bone (skull bone at the back of the of the head). Bring your the back of your hands gently back down the clients neck, turning them over with a circular motion so the palms of your hands are on the shoulders by the spine. Repeat this sequence 3 times.

Thumb stripping of the spinous processes of the vertebral column

Stand at the head of the table facing the client who is lying prone on the table. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put one leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend the forward knee. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight arms and straight thumbs which are pushed up against the side of your closed hand for support, one thumb on each side of the clients upper back, just lateral to each side of the spinous processes of the spine so you can feel the spinous processes against the sides of your thumbs. Use a long slow deep (to client tolerance) stripping motion from the client’s upper back to the top of their sacrum. Bend your knee that is in front of you more as your hands move down the back, this will help give you more forward movement with less effort. Step to the side of the table if it is necessary to do so to reach the low back. Put a little pressure with your thumbs on the superior aspect of the client’s sacrum pushing in an inferior direction. Open your hands and bring them back up the sides of the clients back about one finger width lateral to the spinous processes of the vertebral column, as you do this straighten out your forward bent knee this will help give you more movement up the clients back with less effort. As your hands come up the back to the level of the shoulders, move your hands laterally across the back of the shoulders over the trapezius muscles and posterior deltoid muscles, across the sides of the shoulders over the lateral deltoid muscles, around to the front of the clients shoulders, across the front of the clients shoulders over the anterior deltoid muscles. Continue pulling your hands up the sides of the client’s neck over the sternocleidomastoid muscles and trapezius muscles, moving superior and posterior to the bottom of the occipital bone (skull bone at the back of the of the head). Bring your the back of your hands gently back down the clients neck, turning them over with a circular motion so the palms of your hands are on the shoulders by the spine. Repeat this sequence 3 times.

Thumb fanning of the left erector spinae muscles.

Step to the side of the table that is near the clients left side as they lye prone, at the level of their hips, facing the client’s back. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your left leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your left knee forward. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight arms. Using a backward circular fanning motion with your thumbs, massage the middle of the longissimus muscle on the left side of the clients lower back, approximately two finger widths lateral to the left side of the spinous processes of the vertebral column, from the top of the sacrum to the top of the upper back. Bend your left knee that is in front of you more as your thumbs move up the back, this will help give you more forward movement with less effort. Step forward along the side of the table if it is necessary to do so to reach the top of the upper back. Open your hands and bring them back down the left side of the client’s back, as you do this straighten out your left bent knee, this will help give you more movement down the client’s back with less effort. Step backward along the side of the table, if it is necessary to do so to reach the top of the sacrum. Then repeat this procedure with the left spinalis muscle, which is right along the left side spinous processes of the vertebral column. Then repeat this procedure with the left ileocostalis muscle, which is approximately three finger widths to the left side spinous processes of the vertebral column.

Thumb stripping of the left erector spinae muscles.

Stand at the side of the table to the client’s left side as they lye prone, at the level of their hips, facing the client’s back. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your left leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your left knee forward. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight arms and straight thumbs, which are pushed up against the side of your closed hand for support. Put one thumb on top of the other thumb or put your thumbs right next to each other on the longissimus muscle on the left side of the clients lower back at the top of the sacrum, approximately two finger widths lateral to the left side of the spinous processes of the spine. Use a long slow deep (to client tolerance) stripping motion from the top of the client’s sacrum to the top of their upper back. Bend your left knee that is in front of you more as your thumbs move up the back, this will help give you more forward movement with less effort. Step forward along the side of the table if it is necessary to do so to reach the top of the upper back. Open your hands and bring them back down the left side of the client’s back, as you do this straighten out your left bent knee, this will help give you more movement down the client’s back with less effort. Then repeat this procedure with the left spinalis muscle, which is right along the left side spinous processes of the vertebral column. Then repeat this procedure with the left ileocostalis muscle, which is about three finger widths to the left side spinous processes of the vertebral column.

Petrissage of the opposite (right) latissimus dorsi

Stand at the side of the table to the client’s left side as they lye prone, at the level of their low back, facing the client’s upper back. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your left leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your left knee slightly forward. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight arms, swing your hips and shoulders forward and backward helping you to do a alternating circular movement with your hands on the opposite (right) latissimus dorsi, from above the ilium to the level of the eighth rib and back down to the ilium. Bend your left knee that is in front of you more as you petrissage up the back, this will help give you more movement in a superior direction with less effort. When you petrissage back down the left side of the client’s back, straighten out your left bent knee, this will help give you more movement down the client’s back with less effort. Repeat 3 times.

Then step to the other side of the table.

Thumb fanning of the right erector spinae muscles.

Step to the side of the table that is near the clients right side as they lye prone, at the level of their hips, facing the client’s back. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your right leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your right knee forward. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight arms. Using a backward circular fanning motion with your thumbs, massage the middle of the longissimus muscle on the right side of the clients lower back, approximately two finger widths lateral to the left side of the spinous processes of the vertebral column, from the top of the sacrum to the top of the upper back. Bend your right knee that is in front of you more as your thumbs move up the back, this will help give you more forward movement with less effort. Step forward along the side of the table if it is necessary to do so to reach the top of the upper back. Open your hands and bring them gently back down the right side of the client’s back, as you do this straighten out your right bent knee, this will help give you more movement down the client’s back with less effort. Step backward along the side of the table, if it is necessary to do so to reach the top of the sacrum. Then repeat this procedure with the right spinalis muscle, which is right along the right side spinous processes of the vertebral column. Then repeat this procedure with the right ileocostalis muscle, which is approximately three finger widths to the right side spinous processes of the vertebral column.

Thumb stripping of the right erector spinae muscles.

Stand at the side of the table to the client’s right side as they lye prone, at the level of their hips, facing the client’s back. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your right leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your right knee forward. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight arms and straight thumbs, which are pushed up against the side of your closed hand for support. Put one thumb on top of the other thumb or put your thumbs right next to each other on the longissimus muscle on the right side of the clients lower back at the top of the sacrum, approximately two finger widths lateral to the right side of the spinous processes of the spine. Use a long slow deep (to client tolerance) stripping motion from the top of the client’s sacrum to the top of their upper back. Bend your right knee that is in front of you more as your thumbs move up the back, this will help give you more forward movement with less effort. Step forward along the side of the table if it is necessary to do so to reach the top of the upper back. Open your hands and bring them back down the right side of the client’s back, as you do this straighten out your right bent knee, this will help give you more movement down the client’s back with less effort. Then repeat this procedure with the right spinalis muscle, which is right along the right side spinous processes of the vertebral column. Then repeat this procedure with the right ileocostalis muscle, which is about three finger widths to the right side spinous processes of the vertebral column.

Petrissage of the opposite (left) latissimus dorsi

Stand at the side of the table to the client’s right side as they lye prone, at the level of their low back, facing the client’s upper back. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your right leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your right knee slightly forward. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight arms, swing your hips and shoulders forward and backward helping you to do a alternating circular movement with your hands on the opposite (right) latissimus dorsi, from above the ilium to the level of the eighth rib and back. Bend your right knee that is in front of you more as you petrissage up the back, this will help give you more movement in a superior direction with less effort. When you petrissage back down the left side of the client’s back, straighten out your right bent knee, this will help give you more movement down the client’s back with less effort. Repeat 3 times.

Kneading of the opposite (left) trapezius muscle.

Stand at the side of the table to the client’s right side as they lye prone, at the level of their mid back, facing the client’s left upper back. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your right leg slightly in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your right knee slightly forward. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight arms. Keep your arms straight and swing your hips and shoulders forward and backward helping you to do a alternating circular kneading movement with your hands on the opposite side trapezius. Start at the lower trapezius near the spine at the level of the 12^th thoracic vertebrae, massage up to the top of the left shoulder, knead across the top of the shoulder until your right hand is kneading the right shoulder and your left hand is kneading the left shoulder. Knead up both sides of the neck to the base of the head, then down to between the shoulder blades, out to the upper part of the latissimus dorsi muscles under the posterior part of the arms, back across the top of the shoulders, then down the left side to the 12^th thoracic vertebrae again. When you knead up the back bend your right knee more, this will help give you more forward movement with less effort. Step forward along the side of the table if it is necessary to do so to reach the top of the client’s shoulder or neck. When you massage back down the left side of the client’s back, straighten out your right bent knee, this will help give you more movement down the client’s back with less effort. Repeat this procedure 3 times.

Open finger fanning of the opposite (left) trapezius muscle.

Continue standing at the side of the table to the client’s right side as they lye prone, at the level of their mid back, facing the client’s left upper back. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your right leg slightly in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your right knee slightly forward. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight arms. Keep your arms straight and swing your hips and shoulders forward and backward helping you to do a alternating open finger fanning movement with your hands on the opposite side trapezius muscle. Start at the lower trapezius muscle near the spine at the level of the 12^th thoracic vertebrae, open finger fan up to the top of the left shoulder. Then down the left side to the 12^th thoracic vertebrae again. When you knead up the back bend your right knee more, this will help give you more forward movement with less effort. Step forward along the side of the table if it is necessary to do so to reach the top of the client’s shoulder or neck. When you massage back down the left side of the client’s back, straighten out your right bent knee, this will help give you more movement down the client’s back with less effort. Repeat this procedure 3 times.

Double knuckle stripping of the opposite (left) trapezius muscle.

Continue standing at the side of the table to the client’s right side as they lye prone, at the level of their mid back, facing the client’s left upper back. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your right leg slightly in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your right knee slightly forward. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight arms with your knuckles side by side using a long, slow, deep (to patient tolerance), stripping movement on the opposite (left) trapezius muscle, starting near the left side of the spine, moving lateral to the left border of the trapezius muscle. Gently bring your knuckles back across the trapezius muscle to the left side of the spine. Start at the lowest part of the trapezius muscle at the level of the 12^th thoracic vertebrae, double knuckle strip up to the top of the left shoulder. Then down the left side to the 12^th thoracic vertebrae again. When you double knuckle strip across the back bend your right knee more, this will help give you more lateral movement with less effort. As you double knuckle stripping more superior areas on the back bend your right knee more, this will help give you more superior movement with less effort. Step forward along the side of the table if it is necessary to do so to reach the top of the client’s shoulder. When you massage back down the left side of the client’s back, straighten out your right bent knee, this will help give you more movement down the client’s back with less effort. Repeat this procedure 3 times.

Thumb fanning of the opposite (left) rhomboid muscles.

Continue standing at the side of the table to the client’s right side as they lye prone, at the level of their mid back, facing the client’s left upper back. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your right leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your right knee forward. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight arms. Using a backward circular fanning motion with your thumbs, massage the middle of the longissimus muscle on the left side of the client’s back, between the medial border of the scapula and the spine, approximately two finger widths lateral to the left side of the spinous processes of the vertebral column, from the inferior angle of the scapula to the top of the left shoulder. You will be massaging across the rhomboid muscles as you do this. Bend your left knee that is in front of you more as your thumbs move up the back, this will help give you more forward movement with less effort. Step forward along the side of the table if it is necessary to do so to reach the top of the upper back. Open your hands and bring them back down the left side of the client’s back to the inferior angle of the scapula, as you do this straighten out your left bent knee, this will help give you more movement down the client’s back with less effort. Then repeat this procedure, in the same area, with the left spinalis muscle, which is right along the left side spinous processes of the vertebral column. Then repeat this procedure, in the same area, with the left ileocostalis muscle, which is approximately three finger widths to the left side spinous processes of the vertebral column.

Thumb stripping of the opposite (left) rhomboid muscles.

Continue standing at the side of the table to the client’s right side as they lye prone, at the level of their mid back, facing the client’s left upper back. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your right leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your right knee forward. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight arms and straight thumbs, which are pushed up against the side of your closed hand for support. Put one thumb on top of the other thumb or put your thumbs right next to each other on the longissimus muscle on the left side of the client’s back, between the medial border of the scapula and the spine, approximately two finger widths lateral to the left side of the spinous processes of the vertebral column, from the inferior angle of the scapula to the top of the left shoulder. You will be thumb stripping across the rhomboid muscles as you do this. Bend your left knee that is in front of you more as your thumbs move up the back, this will help give you more forward movement with less effort. Step forward along the side of the table if it is necessary to do so to reach the top of the upper back. Open your hands and bring them back down the left side of the client’s back to the inferior angle of the scapula, as you do this straighten out your left bent knee, this will help give you more movement down the client’s back with less effort. Then repeat this procedure, in the same area, with the left spinalis muscle, which is right along the left side spinous processes of the vertebral column. Then repeat this procedure, in the same area, with the left ileocostalis muscle, which is approximately three finger widths to the left side spinous processes of the vertebral column.

Thumb fanning of the opposite (left) scapula.

Continue standing at the side of the table to the client’s right side as they lye prone, at the level of their mid back, facing the client’s left upper back. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your right leg slightly in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your right knee slightly forward. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight arms. Using a backward circular fanning motion with your thumbs, massage the scapula, starting near the medial border of the scapula at the inferior angle, moving lateral to the left border of the scapula. Thumb fan back across the scapula to the medial border of the scapula, then repeat this procedure up to the top the scapula, then back down to the inferior angle of the scapula. When you thumb fan across the scapula bend your right knee more, this will help give you more lateral movement with less effort. As you thumb fan areas superior to where you are on the scapula bend your right knee more, this will help give you more superior direction movement with less effort. When you thumb fan medial and back down the scapula, straighten out your right bent knee, this will help give you more lateral or inferior movement down the client’s scapula with less effort. Repeat this 3 times.

Thumb stripping of the opposite (left) scapula.

Continue standing at the side of the table to the client’s right side as they lye prone, at the level of their mid back, facing the client’s left upper back. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your right leg slightly in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your right knee slightly forward. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight arms and straight thumbs, which are pushed up against the side of your closed hand for support. Put one thumb on top of the other thumb or put your thumbs right next to each other on the scapula. Starting near the medial border of the scapula at the inferior angle, moving lateral to the left border of the scapula, gently bring your thumbs back across the scapula to the medial border of the scapula. Repeat this procedure up to the top the scapula, then back down to the inferior angle of the scapula. When you thumb strip across the scapula bend your right knee more, this will help give you more lateral movement with less effort. As you thumb strip more superior areas on the scapula bend your right knee more; this will help give you more superior movement with less effort. When you gently bring your thumbs back across the scapula to the medial border of the scapula or thumb strip more inferior areas the scapula, straighten out your right bent knee, this will help give you more movement back across or down the client’s scapula with less effort. Repeat this 3 times.

Move back to the other side of the table.

Kneading of the opposite (right) trapezius muscle.

Stand at the side of the table to the client’s left side as they lye prone, at the level of their mid back, facing the client’s right upper back. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your left leg slightly in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your left knee slightly forward. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight arms. Keep your arms straight and swing your hips and shoulders forward and backward helping you to do a alternating circular kneading movement with your hands on the opposite side trapezius. Start at the lower trapezius near the spine at the level of the 12^th thoracic vertebrae, massage up to the top of the right shoulder. Knead across the top of the shoulder until your right hand is kneading the right shoulder and your left hand is kneading the left shoulder. Knead up both sides of the neck to the base of the head. Knead down to between the shoulder blades, out to the upper part of the latissimus dorsi muscles under the posterior part of the arms, back across the top of the shoulders, then down the right side to the 12^th thoracic vertebrae again. When you knead up the back bend your left knee more, this will help give you more superior direction movement with less effort. Step forward along the side of the table if it is necessary to do so to reach the top of the client’s shoulder or neck. When you massage back down the right side of the client’s back, straighten out your left bent knee, this will help give you more movement down the client’s back with less effort. Repeat this procedure 3 times.

Open finger fanning of the opposite (right) trapezius muscle.

Continue standing at the side of the table to the client’s left side as they lye prone, at the level of their mid back, facing the client’s right upper back. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your left leg slightly in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your left knee slightly forward. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight arms. Keep your arms straight and swing your hips and shoulders forward and backward helping you to do a alternating open finger fanning movement with your hands on the opposite side trapezius muscle. Start at the lower trapezius muscle near the spine at the level of the 12^th thoracic vertebrae, open finger fan up to the top of the right shoulder. Then down the left side to the 12^th thoracic vertebrae again. When you knead up the back bend your left knee more, this will help give you more forward movement with less effort. Step forward along the side of the table if it is necessary to do so to reach the top of the client’s shoulder or neck. When you massage back down the right side of the client’s back, straighten out your left bent knee, this will help give you more movement down the client’s back with less effort. Repeat this procedure 3 times.

Double knuckle stripping of the opposite (right) trapezius muscle.

Continue standing at the side of the table to the client’s left side as they lye prone, at the level of their mid back, facing the client’s right upper back. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your left leg slightly in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your left knee slightly forward. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight arms with your knuckles side by side using a long, slow, deep (to patient tolerance), stripping movement on the opposite (right) trapezius muscle, starting near the right side of the spine, moving lateral to the right border of the trapezius muscle. Gently bring your knuckles back across the trapezius muscle to the left side of the spine. Start at the lowest part of the trapezius muscle at the level of the 12^th thoracic vertebrae, double knuckle strip up to the top of the right shoulder. Then down the right side to the 12^th thoracic vertebrae again. When you double knuckle strip across the back bend your left knee more, this will help give you more lateral movement with less effort. As you double knuckle stripping more superior areas on the back bend your left knee more, this will help give you more movement in the superior direction with less effort. Step forward along the side of the table if it is necessary to do so to reach the top of the client’s shoulder. When you massage back down the right side of the client’s back, straighten out your left bent knee, this will help give you more movement down the client’s back with less effort. Repeat this procedure 3 times.

Thumb fanning of the opposite (right) rhomboid muscles.

Continue standing at the side of the table that is near the clients left side as they lye prone, at the level of their mid back, facing the client’s right upper back. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your left leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your left knee forward. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight arms. Using a backward circular fanning motion with your thumbs, massage the middle of the longissimus muscle on the right side of the client’s back, between the medial border of the scapula and the spine, approximately two finger widths lateral to the left side of the spinous processes of the vertebral column, from the inferior angle of the scapula to the top of the right shoulder. You will be massaging across the rhomboid muscles as you do this. Bend your left knee that is in front of you more as your thumbs move up the back, this will help give you more movement in a superior direction with less effort. Step forward along the side of the table if it is necessary to do so to reach the top of the upper back. Gently bring your hands back down the right side of the client’s back to the inferior angle of the scapula, as you do this straighten out your left bent knee, this will help give you more movement down the client’s back with less effort. Then repeat this procedure, in the same area, with the right spinalis muscle, which is right along the left side spinous processes of the vertebral column. Then repeat this procedure, in the same area, with the right ileocostalis muscle which is approximately three finger widths to the left side spinous processes of the vertebral column.

Thumb stripping of the opposite (right) rhomboid muscles.

Step to the side of the table that is near the clients left side as they lye prone, at the level of their mid back, facing the client’s right upper back. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your left leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your left knee forward. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight arms and straight thumbs, which are pushed up against the side of your closed hand for support. Put one thumb on top of the other thumb or put your thumbs right next to each other on the longissimus muscle on the right side of the client’s back, between the medial border of the scapula and the spine, approximately two finger widths lateral to the right side of the spinous processes of the vertebral column. Strip from the inferior angle of the scapula to the top of the left shoulder. You will be thumb stripping across the rhomboid muscles as you do this. Bend your left knee that is in front of you more as your thumbs move up the back, this will help give you more forward movement with less effort. Step forward along the side of the table if it is necessary to do so to reach the top of the upper back. Open your hands and bring them back down the right side of the client’s back to the inferior angle of the scapula, as you do this straighten out your left bent knee, this will help give you more movement down the client’s back with less effort. Then repeat this procedure, in the same area, with the right spinalis muscle, which is right along the right side spinous processes of the vertebral column. Then repeat this procedure, in the same area, with the right ileocostalis muscle which is approximately three finger widths to the left side spinous processes of the vertebral column.

Thumb fanning of the opposite (right) scapula.

Continue standing at the side of the table to the client’s left side as they lye prone, at the level of their mid back, facing the client’s right upper back. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your left leg slightly in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your left knee slightly forward. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight arms. Using a backward circular fanning motion with your thumbs, massage the scapula, starting near the medial border of the scapula at the inferior angle, moving lateral to the right border of the scapula. Thumb fan gently back across the scapula to the medial border of the scapula, then repeat this procedure up to the top the scapula, then back down to the inferior angle of the scapula. When you thumb fan across the scapula bend your left knee more, this will help give you more lateral movement with less effort. As you thumb fan more superior areas on the scapula bend your left knee more, this will help give you more superior movement with less effort. When you thumb fan medial and back down the scapula, straighten out your left bent knee, this will help give you more lateral and/or inferior movement down the client’s scapula with less effort. Repeat this 3 times.

Thumb stripping of the opposite (right) scapula.

Continue standing at the side of the table to the client’s left side as they lye prone, at the level of the mid-back, facing the client’s right upper back. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your left leg slightly in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your left knee slightly forward. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight arms and straight thumbs, which are pushed up against the side of your closed hand for support. Put one thumb on top of the other thumb or put your thumbs right next to each other on the scapula. Starting near the medial border of the scapula at the inferior angle, moving lateral to the right border of the scapula. Thumb fan back across the scapula to the medial border of the scapula. Repeat this procedure up to the top the scapula, then back down to the inferior angle of the scapula. When you thumb strip across the scapula bend your left knee more, this will help give you more lateral movement with less effort. As you thumb strip more superior areas on the scapula bend your left knee more, this will help give you more movement in a superior direction with less effort. When you gently bring your thumbs back across the scapula to the medial border of the scapula or thumb strip more inferior areas the scapula, straighten out your left bent knee, this will help give you more movement back across or down the client’s scapula with less effort. Repeat this 3 times.

Step to the head of the table.

Effleurage of the back

Stand at the head of the table facing the client who is lying prone on the table. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put one leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend the forward knee. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight arms and open hands, one hand on each side of the clients upper back, just lateral to each side of the spinous processes of the spine. Use a long stroking motion from the clients upper back to the top of their sacrum. Bend your knee that is in front of you more as your hands move down the back, this will help give you more forward movement with less effort. Step to the side of the table if it is necessary to do so to reach the low back. Put a little pressure the heels of your hands on the superior aspect of the clients sacrum pushing in an inferior direction. Bring your hands back up the sides of the clients back about one finger width lateral to the spinous processes of the vertebral column, as you do this straighten out your forward bent knee this will help give you more movement up the clients back with less effort. As your hands come up the back to the level of the shoulders, move your hands laterally across the back of the shoulders over the trapezius muscles and posterior deltoid muscles, across the sides of the shoulders over the lateral deltoid muscles, around to the front of the clients shoulders, across the front of the clients shoulders over the anterior deltoid muscles. Continue pulling your hands up the sides of the clients neck over the sternocleidomastoid muscles and trapezius muscles, moving superior and posterior to the bottom of the occipital bone (skull bone at the back of the of the head). Bring your the back of your hands gently back down the clients neck, turning them over with a circular motion so the palms of your hands are on the shoulders by the spine. Repeat this sequence 3 times.

Posterior leg

Effleurage of the left leg.

Step to the side of the table to the client’s left side as they lye prone, at the level of their ankles, facing the client’s back. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your left leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your left knee forward. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight arms and straight hands. Start with one hand on each side of the left ankle. Move your open hands up the lower leg to the knee. After you pass the knee, move your right hand lateral and diagonal across the hamstrings muscles toward your left hand. Your left hand is moving up the lateral part of the leg, so that both hands end up side by side on the lateral part of the leg, three fourths way from the knee to the hip, on the hamstrings muscles. Continue with both hands side by side, up the lateral part of the leg to the greater trocanter of the femur. Gently bring your hand back down the leg to the ankle. Bend your left knee that is in front of you more as your thumbs move up the leg, this will help give you more movement in a superior direction with less effort. Step forward along the side of the table if it is necessary to do so to reach the top of the greater trocanter of the femur. As you bring your hands back down the client’s left leg, straighten out your left bent knee, this will help give you more movement down the client’s leg with less effort. Step backward along the side of the table if it is necessary to do so to reach the client’s left ankle. Then repeat this procedure 3 times.

Petrissage of the left hamstrings (posterior upper leg muscles)

Stand at the side of the table to the client’s left side as they lye prone, at the level of the lower part of their hamstrings just above their left knee, facing the client’s upper part of their left hamstrings. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your left leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your left knee slightly forward. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight arms, swing your hips and shoulders forward and backward helping you to do a alternating circular movement with your hands on the hamstrings. Petrissage from slightly superior to the posterior knee to the top of the leg below the gluteus muscles and back down to the area slightly above the posterior knee. Bend your left knee that is in front of you more as you petrissage up the hamstrings, this will help give you more movement in a superior direction with less effort. When you petrissage back down the hamstrings, straighten out your left bent knee, this will help give you more movement down the client’s hamstrings with less effort. Repeat 3 times.

Kneading of the left hamstrings (posterior upper leg muscles)

Stand at the side of the table to the client’s left side as they lye prone, at the level of the lower part of their hamstrings just above their left knee, facing the client’s upper part of their left hamstrings. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your left leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your left knee slightly forward. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight arms, swing your hips and shoulders forward and backward helping you to do a alternating circular kneading movement with your hands on the hamstrings. Knead from slightly superior to the posterior knee to the top of the leg below the gluteus muscles and back down to the area slightly above the posterior knee. Bend your left knee that is in front of you more as you knead up the hamstrings, this will help give you more movement in a superior direction with less effort. When you knead back down the hamstrings, straighten out your left bent knee, this will help give you more movement down the client’s hamstrings with less effort. Repeat 3 times.

Knuckle fanning of the left hamstrings muscles (posterior upper leg muscles)

Stand at the side of the table to the client’s left side as they lye prone, at the level of the lower part of their hamstrings muscles just above their left knee, facing the client’s upper part of their left hamstrings muscles. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your left leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your left knee slightly forward. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight arms, swing your hips and shoulders forward and backward helping you to do a alternating circular fanning movement with your knuckles on the hamstrings. Knuckle fan the medial upper leg, from slightly superior to the medial part of the knee to 3 inches below the top of the medial part of the upper leg, then back down to the area slightly above the medial part of the knee, repeat 3 times. Knuckle fan the posterior upper leg, from slightly superior to the posterior part of the knee to the top of the posterior part of the upper leg below the gluteus muscles, then back down to the area slightly above the posterior part of the knee. Repeat 3 times. Knuckle fan the lateral upper leg, from slightly superior to the lateral part of the knee to the top of the lateral part of the upper leg below the gluteus, then back down to the area slightly above the lateral part of the knee. Repeat 3 times. Bend your left knee that is in front of you more as you knuckle fan up the hamstrings, this will help give you more movement in a superior direction with less effort. When you knuckle fan back down to the area of the hamstrings slightly above the knee, straighten out your left bent knee, this will help give you more movement down the client’s hamstrings muscles with less effort.

Knuckle stripping of the left hamstrings muscles (posterior upper leg muscles)

Stand at the side of the table to the client’s left side as they lye prone, at the level of the lower part of their hamstrings muscles just above their left knee, facing the client’s upper part of their left hamstrings muscles. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your left leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your left knee slightly forward. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight right arm and knuckles as you knuckle strip the medial and posterior part of the hamstrings, put your left hand around your right wrist for support. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight left arm and knuckles as you knuckle strip the lateral part of the hamstrings, put your left hand around your right wrist for support. Knuckle strip the medial upper leg, from slightly superior to the medial part of the knee to 3 inches below the top of the medial part of the upper leg, then bring your right knuckles gently back down to the area slightly above the medial part of the knee, repeat 3 times. Knuckle strip the posterior upper leg, from slightly superior to the posterior part of the knee to the top of the posterior part of the upper leg below the gluteus muscles, then bring your right knuckles gently back down to the area slightly above the posterior part of the knee. Repeat 3 times. Knuckle strip the lateral upper leg, from slightly superior to the lateral part of the knee to the top of the lateral part of the upper leg below the gluteus, then bring your left knuckles gently back down to the area slightly above the lateral part of the knee. Repeat 3 times. Bend your left knee that is in front of you more as you knuckle strip up the hamstrings, this will help give you more movement in a superior direction with less effort. When you bring your knuckles gently back down to the area of the hamstrings slightly above the knee, straighten out your left bent knee, this will help give you more movement down the client’s hamstrings muscles with less effort.

Petrissage of the left gastrocnemius and soleus (posterior lower leg muscles)

Kneading of the left gastrocnemius and soleus (posterior lower leg muscles)

Stand at the side of the table to the client’s left side as they lye prone, at the level of the lower part of their gastrocnemius and soleus, just above their left knee, facing the client’s upper part of their left gastrocnemius and soleus. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your left leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your left knee slightly forward. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight arms, swing your hips and shoulders forward and backward helping you to do a alternating circular kneading movement with your hands on the gastrocnemius and soleus. Knead from slightly superior to the posterior ankle to the top of the gastrocnemius and soleus, below the knee and back down to the area slightly above the posterior ankle. Bend your left knee that is in front of you more as you knead up the gastrocnemius and soleus, this will help give you more movement in a superior direction with less effort. When you knead back down the gastrocnemius and soleus, straighten out your left bent knee, this will help give you more movement down the client’s gastrocnemius and soleus, with less effort. Repeat 3 times.

Knuckle fanning of the left gastrocnemius and soleus (posterior lower leg muscles)

Stand at the side of the table to the client’s left side as they lye prone, at the level of the lower part of their gastrocnemius and soleus, just above their left ankle, facing the client’s upper part of their left gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your left leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your left knee slightly forward. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight arms, swing your hips and shoulders forward and backward helping you to do a alternating circular fanning movement with your knuckles on the gastrocnemius and soleus. Knuckle fan the medial gastrocnemius and soleus, from slightly superior to the medial part of the ankle to slightly below the top of the medial part of the knee, then back down to the area slightly above the medial part of the ankle, repeat 3 times. Knuckle fan the posterior gastrocnemius and soleus, from slightly superior to the posterior part of the ankle to the top of the posterior part of the gastrocnemius and soleus, slightly below the knee, then back down to the area slightly above the posterior part of the ankle. Repeat 3 times. Knuckle fan the lateral gastrocnemius and soleus, from slightly superior to the lateral part of the ankle to the top of the lateral part of the gastrocnemius and soleus, slightly below the knee, then back down to the area slightly above the lateral part of the ankle. Repeat 3 times. Bend your left knee that is in front of you more as you knuckle fan up the gastrocnemius and soleus, this will help give you more movement in a superior direction with less effort. When you knuckle fan back down to the area of the gastrocnemius and soleus, slightly above the knee, straighten out your left bent knee, this will help give you more movement down the client’s gastrocnemius and soleus muscles with less effort.

Knuckle stripping of the left gastrocnemius and soleus (posterior lower leg muscles)

Stand at the side of the table to the client’s left side as they lye prone, at the level of the lower part of their gastrocnemius and soleus muscles just above their left ankle, facing the client’s upper part of their left gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your left leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your left knee slightly forward. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight right arm and knuckles as you knuckle strip the medial and posterior part of the gastrocnemius and soleus, put your left hand around your right wrist for support. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight left arm and knuckles as you knuckle strip the lateral part of the gastrocnemius and soleus, put your left hand around your right wrist for support. Knuckle strip the medial gastrocnemius and soleus, from slightly superior to the medial part of the ankle to slightly below the top of the medial part of the gastrocnemius and soleus, then bring your right knuckles gently back down to the area slightly above the medial part of the ankle. Repeat 3 times. Knuckle strip the posterior gastrocnemius and soleus, from slightly superior to the posterior part of the ankle, to the top of the posterior part of the gastrocnemius and soleus, below the knee, then bring your right knuckles gently back down to the area slightly above the posterior part of the ankle. Repeat 3 times. Knuckle strip the lateral gastrocnemius and soleus, from slightly superior to the lateral part of the ankle to the top of the lateral part of the gastrocnemius and soleus, below the knee, then bring your left knuckles gently back down to the area slightly above the lateral part of the ankle. Repeat 3 times. Bend your left knee that is in front of you more as you knuckle strip up the gastrocnemius and soleus, this will help give you more movement in a superior direction with less effort. When you bring your knuckles gently back down to the area of the gastrocnemius and soleus, slightly above the knee, straighten out your left bent knee, this will help give you more movement down the client’s gastrocnemius and soleus muscles with less effort.

Thumb fanning of the bottom of the left foot.

Stand at the side of the table to the client’s left side as they lye prone, at the level of the lower part of their gastrocnemius and soleus, just above their left ankle, facing the client’s left foot. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your right leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your right knee slightly forward. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight arms, do a backward circular thumb fanning movement on the bottom of the foot, from the heel to the base of the 5^th toe, then gently pull your thumbs back across the bottom of the foot to the heel. Repeat this procedure, one line leading to each toe and back up to the heel, until you have done 5 lines of thumb fanning on the bottom of the foot. Bend your right knee that is in front of you more as you thumb fan down the bottom of the foot, this will help give you more downward movement with less effort. When you gently pull your thumbs back across the bottom of the foot to the heel, straighten out your right bent knee, this will help give you more upward movement with less effort.

Thumb stripping of the bottom of the left foot.

Stand at the side of the table to the client’s left side as they lye prone, at the level of the lower part of their gastrocnemius and soleus, just above their left ankle, facing the client’s left foot. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your right leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your right knee slightly forward. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight arms and thumbs as you do a thumb stripping movement on the bottom of the foot, from the heel to the base of the 5^th toe, then gently pull your thumbs back across the bottom of the foot to the heel. Repeat this procedure across the foot, one line leading to the base of each toe and back up to the heel, until you have done 5 lines of thumb stripping on the bottom of the foot. Bend your right knee that is in front of you more as you thumb strip down the bottom of the foot, this will help give you more downward movement with less effort. When you gently pull your thumbs back across the bottom of the foot to the heel, straighten out your right bent knee, this will help give you more upward movement with less effort.

Effleurage of the left leg.

Effleurage the leg again, you begin and end each major area with effleurage except the neck, head and face, which you begin with the effleurage, but you end with the cupping of the ears, which will be described in that section.

Step to the side of the table to the client’s left side as they lye prone, at the level of their ankles, facing the client’s back. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your left leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your left knee forward. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight arms and straight hands. Start with one hand on each side of the left ankle. Move your open hands up to the lower leg to the knee. After you pass the knee, move your right hand lateral and diagonal across the hamstrings muscles toward your left hand. Your left hand is moving up the lateral part of the leg, so that both hands end up side by side on the lateral part of the leg, three fourths way from the knee to the hip, on the hamstrings muscles. Continue with both hands side by side, up the lateral part of the leg to the greater trocanter of the femur. Gently bring your hand back down the leg to the ankle. Bend your left knee that is in front of you more as your thumbs move up the leg, this will help give you more movement in a superior direction with less effort. Step forward along the side of the table if it is necessary to do so to reach the top of the greater trocanter of the femur. As you bring your hands back down the client’s left leg, straighten out your left bent knee, this will help give you more movement down the client’s leg with less effort. Step backward along the side of the table if it is necessary to do so to reach the client’s left ankle. Then repeat this procedure 3 times.

Step to the other side of the table and repeat all of the procedures for the left leg on the client’s right leg, adjusting appropriately for the different positions you will need to be in to massage the right leg. For example when you are doing effleurage on the right leg, you will put your left leg in front of you, etc..

Tent the sheet above the client, then tell them to roll over and lye on their back.

Anterior leg

Effleurage of the right anterior leg.

Step to the side of the table to the client’s right side as they lye supine, at the level of their ankles, facing the client’s upper right leg. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your left leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your left knee forward. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight arms and straight hands. Start with one hand on each side of the left ankle. Move your open hands up the lower leg to the knee. After you effleurage across the knee, move your right hand lateral and diagonal across the quadriceps muscles toward your left hand. Your left hand is moving up the lateral part of the leg, so that both hands end up side by side on the lateral part of the leg, three fourths way from the knee to the hip, on the quadriceps muscles. Continue with both hands side by side, up the lateral part of the leg to the greater trocanter of the femur. Gently bring your hand back down the leg to the ankle. Bend your left knee that is in front of you more as your thumbs move up the leg, this will help give you more movement in a superior direction with less effort. Step forward along the side of the table if it is necessary to do so to reach the top of the greater trocanter of the femur. As you bring your hands back down the client’s right leg, straighten out your left bent knee, this will help give you more movement down the client’s leg with less effort. Step backward along the side of the table if it is necessary to do so to reach the client’s right ankle. Then repeat this procedure 3 times.

Petrissage of the right quadriceps femoris (anterior upper leg muscles)

Stand at the side of the table to the client’s right side as they lye supine, at the level of the lower part of their quadriceps just above their left knee, facing the client’s upper part of their left quadriceps. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your left leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your left knee slightly forward. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight arms, swing your hips and shoulders forward and backward helping you to do a alternating circular movement with your hands on the quadriceps. Petrissage from slightly superior to the anterior knee to the top of the leg and back down to the area slightly above the anterior knee. Bend your left knee that is in front of you more as you petrissage up the quadriceps, this will help give you more movement in a superior direction with less effort. When you petrissage back down the quadriceps, straighten out your left bent knee, this will help give you more movement down the client’s quadriceps with less effort. Repeat 3 times.

Kneading of the right quadriceps femoris (anterior upper leg muscles)

Stand at the side of the table to the client’s right side as they lye supine, at the level of the lower part of their quadriceps just above their right knee, facing the client’s upper part of their left quadriceps. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your left leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your left knee slightly forward. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight arms, swing your hips and shoulders forward and backward helping you to do a alternating circular kneading movement with your hands on the quadriceps. Knead from slightly superior to the posterior knee to the top of the leg and back down to the area slightly above the anterior knee. Bend your left knee that is in front of you more as you knead up the quadriceps, this will help give you more movement in a superior direction with less effort. When you knead back down the quadriceps, straighten out your left bent knee, this will help give you more movement down the client’s quadriceps with less effort. Repeat 3 times.

Knuckle fanning of the right quadriceps femoris (anterior upper leg muscles)

Stand at the side of the table to the client’s right side as they lye supine, at the level of the lower part of their quadriceps muscles just above their right knee, facing the client’s upper part of their right quadriceps muscles. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your left leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your left knee slightly forward. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight arms, swing your hips and shoulders forward and backward helping you to do a alternating circular fanning movement with your knuckles on the quadriceps. Knuckle fan the medial upper leg, from slightly superior to the medial part of the knee to 3 inches below the top of the medial part of the upper leg, then back down to the area slightly above the medial part of the knee, repeat 3 times. Knuckle fan the anterior upper leg, from slightly superior to the anterior part of the knee to the top of the anterior part of the upper leg below the gluteus muscles, then back down to the area slightly above the anterior part of the knee. Repeat 3 times. Knuckle fan the lateral upper leg, from slightly superior to the lateral part of the knee to the top of the lateral part of the upper leg, then back down to the area slightly above the lateral part of the knee. Repeat 3 times. Bend your left knee that is in front of you more as you knuckle fan up the quadriceps, this will help give you more movement in a superior direction with less effort. When you knuckle fan back down to the area of the quadriceps slightly above the knee, straighten out your left bent knee, this will help give you more movement down the client’s quadriceps muscles with less effort.

Knuckle stripping of the right quadriceps femoris (anterior upper leg muscles)

Stand at the side of the table to the client’s right side as they lye supine, at the level of the lower part of their quadriceps muscles just above their right knee, facing the client’s upper part of their right quadriceps muscles. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your left leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your left knee slightly forward. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight right arm and knuckles as you knuckle strip the medial and anterior part of the quadriceps, put your left hand around your right wrist for support. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight left arm and knuckles as you knuckle strip the lateral part of the quadriceps, put your left hand around your right wrist for support. Knuckle strip the medial upper leg, from slightly superior to the medial part of the knee to 3 inches below the top of the medial part of the upper leg, then bring your right knuckles gently back down to the area slightly above the medial part of the knee, repeat 3 times. Knuckle strip the anterior upper leg, from slightly superior to the anterior part of the knee to the top of the anterior part of the upper leg below the gluteus muscles, then bring your right knuckles gently back down to the area slightly above the anterior part of the knee. Repeat 3 times. Knuckle strip the lateral upper leg, from slightly superior to the lateral part of the knee to the top of the lateral part of the upper leg below the gluteus, then bring your left knuckles gently back down to the area slightly above the lateral part of the knee. Repeat 3 times. Bend your left knee that is in front of you more as you knuckle strip up the quadriceps, this will help give you more movement in a superior direction with less effort. When you bring your knuckles gently back down to the area of the quadriceps slightly above the knee, straighten out your left bent knee, this will help give you more movement down the client’s quadriceps muscles with less effort.

Palm stripping of the right iliotibial band

Petrissage of the right patella

Stand at the side of the table to the client’s right side as they lye supine, at the level of the lower part of the lower area of their patella facing their quadriceps. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your left leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your left knee slightly forward. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight arms, swing your hips and shoulders forward and backward helping you to do a alternating movement. The fingers of both of your hands go around the patella from inferior to superior, your right fingers close around the superior part of the patella as they goes around it. Then opening around the patella as both hands go inferior around the patella and the left fingers close around the inferior part of the patella, repeat 12 times.

Thumb tracing of the right patella

Stand at the side of the table to the client’s right side as they lye supine, at the level of the lower part of the lower area of their right patella facing their quadriceps. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your left leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your left knee slightly forward. Lean forward putting gentle pressure through your straight arms and thumbs. Your right thumb starts at the lower lateral part of the patella and gently circles around the edge of the patella clockwise, simultaneously your left thumb starts at the lower medial part of the patella and gently circles around the edge of the patella counter clockwise. Thumb tracing described in another way: your right thumb starts at the lower lateral part of the patella and gently slides up the lateral side of the patella. Simultaneously your left thumb, which is slightly inferior and medial to your right thumb, starts at the lower medial part of the patella and gently slides up the medial side of the patella. Your right thumb crosses over your left thumb at the top of the patella. Your right thumb slides down the medial side of the patella and your left thumb slides down the lateral side of the patella. Your left thumb crosses under your right thumb at the bottom of the patella. Your right thumb slides to the lower lateral part of the patella, simultaneously your left thumb slides to the lower medial part of the patella. Repeat 12 times.

Petrissage of the right tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius and soleus (lower leg muscles)

Stand at the side of the table to the client’s right side as they lye supine, at the level of the lower part of their tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius and soleus, just above their right ankle, facing the client’s upper part of their right tibialis anterior. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your left leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your left knee slightly forward. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight arms, swing your hips and shoulders forward and backward helping you to do a alternating circular movement with your hands on the tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius and soleus. Petrissage from slightly superior to the right ankle to the top of the tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius and soleus, below the knee and back down to the area slightly above the ankle. Bend your left knee that is in front of you more as you petrissage up the tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius and soleus, this will help give you more movement in a superior direction with less effort. When you petrissage back down the tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius and soleus, straighten out your left bent knee, this will help give you more movement down the client’s tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius and soleus, with less effort. Repeat 3 times.

Knuckle stripping of the right tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius and soleus (lower leg muscles)

Stand at the side of the table to the client’s right side as they lye supine, at the level of the lower part of their tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius and soleus muscles just above their left ankle, facing the client’s upper part of their left tibialis anterior. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your left leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your left knee slightly forward. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight right arm and knuckles as you knuckle strip the medial part of the gastrocnemius and soleus and simultaneously putting pressure through your straight left arm and knuckles as you knuckle strip the lateral part of the leg on the tibialis anterior. You may hook your thumbs around each other which makes it easier to knuckle strip the medial and lateral parts of the lower leg at the same time, although, you are not putting pressure on the client’s leg with your thumbs. Then gently bring your hands back down the leg as you straighten out your left bent knee, this will help give you more movement down the client’s tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius and soleus, with less effort. Repeat 3 times.

Pull ups on the bottom of the left foot.

Stand at the bottom of the table with the client lying supine, facing the client’s lower left leg. Put both of your hands palm up under the client’s left foot. Squeeze the foot and pull your fingers away from each other causing a lateral stretching on the bottom of the client’s foot below their ankle. Repeat this stretching squeeze on the middle of the bottom of the foot and on the distal part of the bottom of the foot, proximal to the toes. Repeat this sequence of 3 stretching squeezes on the bottom of the client’s foot 12 times.

Milk and rotate the toes

Stand at the bottom of the table with the client lying supine, facing the client’s lower left leg. Hold the client’s 5^th toe with your left hand, between your thumb and 2^nd and 3^rd fingers, hold their 3^rd toe with your right hand, between your thumb and 2^nd and 3^rd fingers. Simultaneously squeeze, pull and slightly rotate the client’s toes between your fingers, moving out to the tip of the toes then back to the base of the toes, repeat 3 times. Then hold the client’s 4^th toe with your left hand, between your thumb and 2^nd and 3^rd fingers, hold their 2^nd toe with your right hand, between your thumb and 2^nd and 3^rd fingers. Simultaneously squeeze, pull and slightly rotate the client’s toes between your fingers, moving out to the tip of the toes then back to the base of the toes, repeat 3 times. Then hold the client’s 3^rd toe with your left hand, between your thumb and 2^nd and 3^rd fingers, hold their 1^st toe with your right hand, between your thumb and 2^nd and 3^rd fingers. Simultaneously squeeze, pull and slightly rotate the client’s toes between your fingers, moving out to the tip of the toes then back to the base of the toes, repeat 3 times.

Effleurage of the right anterior leg.

Step to the side of the table to the client’s right side as they lye supine, at the level of their ankles, facing the client’s upper right leg. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your left leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your left knee forward. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight arms and straight hands. Start with one hand on each side of the left ankle. Move your open hands up the lower leg to the knee. After you effleurage across the knee, move your right hand lateral and diagonal across the quadriceps muscles toward your left hand. Your left hand is moving up the lateral part of the leg, so that both hands end up side by side on the lateral part of the leg, three fourths way from the knee to the hip, on the quadriceps muscles. Continue with both hands side by side, up the lateral part of the leg to the greater trocanter of the femur. Gently bring your hand back down the leg to the ankle. Bend your left knee that is in front of you more as your thumbs move up the leg, this will help give you more movement in a superior direction with less effort. Step forward along the side of the table if it is necessary to do so to reach the top of the greater trocanter of the femur. As you bring your hands back down the client’s right leg, straighten out your left bent knee, this will help give you more movement down the client’s leg with less effort. Step backward along the side of the table, if it is necessary to do so to reach the client’s right ankle. Then repeat this procedure 3 times.

Effleurage of the abdomen, from the client’s right side

Step to the side of the table to the client’s right side as they lye supine, at the level of the client’s lower abdomen, facing their upper abdomen. Use the proper draping techniques. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your left leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend both of your knees forward. Lean forward putting gentle pressure through your straight arms and straight hands. Place the heel of your right hand over the sheet over the client’s left hip, your left hand over the sheet over the client’s right hip, this will let the client know that you are about to massage their abdomen. Slide your open hands superior, to the sides of the abdomen, then anterior, to the umbilicus where your hands come together, meeting palm to palm, with the sides of your hands still contacting the client’s abdomen. As you keep contact on the client’s abdomen with your hands, turn your whole body so you are at the level of their upper abdomen facing their lower abdomen. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your right leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend both of your knees forward. Lean forward putting gentle pressure through your straight arms and straight hands, simultaneously slide your open hands, in opposite directions, laterally across the anterior part of the abdomen. Your left hand will slide to the clients left side, as your right hand slides to the client’s right side. Then slide your open hands anterior, to the umbilicus where your hands come together, meeting palm to palm, with the sides of your hands still contacting the client’s abdomen. As you keep contact on the client’s abdomen with your hands, turn your whole body so you are at the level of their lower abdomen facing their upper abdomen. Repeat the effleurage of the abdomen 6 times in each direction.

Sun/moon massage technique on the abdomen, from the client’s right side

Pull ups on the client’s left side, from the client’s right side

Stand at the side of the table to the client’s right side as they lye supine, at the level of their lower abdomen, facing their upper abdomen. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your left leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your left knee slightly forward. Lean forward putting pressure through your arms using a pulling movement, one hand next to the other, alternate pulling with your left hand from the client’s side to their abdomen, then pulling with your right hand from the client’s side to their abdomen. Repeat this procedure from their side, lateral to their umbilicus, in a superior direction to the bottom of their rib cage and back to the umbilicus, 3 times. Bend your left knee more as you do the pull ups, up the side in a superior direction, straighten your left knee as you do the pull ups, down the side in an inferior direction.

Sun/moon massage technique on the abdomen, from the client’s left side

Pull ups on the client’s right side, from the client’s left side

Stand at the side of the table to the client’s left side as they lye supine, at the level of their lower abdomen, facing their upper abdomen. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your right leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your right knee slightly forward. Lean forward putting pressure through your arms using a pulling movement, one hand next to the other, alternate pulling with your left hand from the client’s left side to the left side of their abdomen, then pulling with your right hand from the client’s left side to the left side of their abdomen. Repeat this procedure from their side, lateral to their umbilicus, in a superior direction to the bottom of their rib cage and back to their side lateral to their umbilicus, 3 times. Bend your right knee more as you do the pull ups, up the side in a superior direction, straighten your right knee as you do the pull ups, down the side in an inferior direction, for better movement with less effort.

Fan the colon

Step to the side of the table to the client’s left side as they lye supine, at the level of the client’s upper abdomen, facing their lower abdomen. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your left leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend left knee forward. Lean forward, alternate one hand over the other, pulling in a superior direction over the ascending colon 12 times. Move to the level of 1 inch above the client’s umbilicus and alternate one hand over the other, pulling toward you over the transverse colon 12 times. Move to the level of the client’s lower abdomen, facing their upper abdomen. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your right leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend right knee forward. Lean forward, alternate one hand over the other, pulling in an inferior direction over the descending colon 12 times. Repeat the whole sequence 3 times.

Effleurage of the abdomen, from the client’s left side

Stay next to the side of the table to the client’s left side as they lye supine, at the level of the client’s lower abdomen, facing their upper abdomen. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your right leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend both of your knees forward. Lean forward putting gentle pressure through your straight arms and straight hands. Slide your open hands anterior, to the umbilicus where your hands come together, meeting palm to palm, with the sides of your hands still contacting the client’s abdomen. As you keep contact on the client’s abdomen with your hands, turn your whole body so you are at the level of their upper abdomen facing their lower abdomen. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your left leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend both of your knees forward. Lean forward putting gentle pressure through your straight arms and straight hands, simultaneously slide your open hands, in opposite directions, laterally across the anterior part of the abdomen. Your left hand will slide to the clients left side, as your right hand slides to the client’s right side. Then slide your open hands anterior, to the umbilicus where your hands come together, meeting palm to palm, with the sides of your hands still contacting the client’s abdomen. As you keep contact on the client’s abdomen with your hands, turn your whole body so you are at the level of their lower abdomen facing their upper abdomen. Repeat the effleurage of the abdomen 6 times in each direction.

Effleurage of the arm

Step to the side of the table to the client’s right side as they lye supine (face up), at the level of their shoulder, facing the client’s legs. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your left leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your left knee forward. Hold the client’s right wrist with your right hand, lifting their arm off of the table. Keep your left elbow against your left side, lean sideways putting pressure through your left forearm as your left hand, which is partially wrapped around their wrist slides from their wrist to the bottom of the back of their head, pull on the bottom of the back of their head. Bend your left knee more and lean toward the client as your left hand slides up their arm. When your hand reaches the bottom of their neck, lean backwards, which helps bring your forearm and hand up their neck and easily gives you more pressure to pull superior on the bottom of the back of their head, causing a stretching of their neck. Keep you elbow at your side, and slide your hand from the bottom of their head to their wrist. Decrease your backward lean as you slide your left hand inferior, back down their neck, decrease your lean toward them and decrease the bend in your left knee as your hand slides lateral across their right shoulder, then distal, down their arm to their wrist, repeat 3 times. Step to the side of the table to the client’s right side as they lye supine (face up), at the level of their sixth rib facing their head. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your right leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your right knee forward. Hold the client’s right wrist with your left hand, lifting their arm off of the table. Keep your right elbow against your right side, lean sideways putting pressure through your right forearm as your right hand, which is partially wrapped around their wrist slides from their wrist to their upper arm, close to where the arm meets their side. Bend your right knee more and lean toward the client as your right hand slides up their arm. Keep you elbow at your side, and slide your hand from their upper arm, close to where the arm meets their side, to their wrist. Decrease your lean toward the client and decrease the bend in your right knee as your hand slides distal, down their arm to their wrist, repeat 3 times.

Kneading the deltoid muscle

Hook finger strip the deltoid muscle

Kneading the biceps and triceps muscles

Stay at the side of the table to the client’s right side as they lye supine (face up), at the level of their shoulder, facing the client’s legs. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your left leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your left knee forward. Hold the client’s right wrist with your right hand, lifting their arm off of the table. Keep your left elbow against your left side, lean sideways putting pressure through your left forearm and your left hand, which is partially wrapped around the distal part of their biceps and triceps muscles, with a grasping motion move your left hand to the top of their biceps and triceps muscles. Gently slide your hand back to the distal part of the biceps and triceps muscles. Bend your left knee more and lean toward the client as your left hand moves up their biceps and triceps muscles. Decrease your lean toward them and decrease the bend in your left knee as your hand slides back to the distal part of the biceps and triceps muscles, repeat 3 times. Move to the side of the table to the client’s right side as they lye supine (face up), at the level of their sixth rib, facing the client’s head. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your right leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your right knee forward. Hold the client’s right wrist with your right left hand, lifting their arm off of the table. Keep your right elbow against your right side, lean sideways putting pressure through your right forearm and your right hand, which is partially wrapped around the distal part of their biceps and triceps muscles, with a grasping motion move your left hand to the top of their biceps and triceps muscles. Gently slide your hand back to the distal part of the biceps and triceps muscles. Bend your right knee more and lean toward the client as your right hand moves up their biceps and triceps muscles. Decrease your lean toward them and decrease the bend in your right knee as your right hand slides back to the distal part of the biceps and triceps muscles, repeat 3 times.

Palm strip the biceps and triceps muscles

Move to the side of the table to the client’s right side as they lye supine (face up), at the level of their shoulder, facing the client’s legs. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your left leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your left knee forward. Hold the client’s right wrist with your right hand, lifting their arm off of the table. Keep your left elbow against your left side, lean sideways putting pressure through your left forearm and your left hand, which is partially wrapped around the lateral, distal part of their biceps and triceps muscles, with a sliding motion move your left hand to the lateral, top of their biceps and triceps muscles. Gently slide your hand back to the lateral, distal part of the biceps and triceps muscles. Bend your left knee more and lean toward the client as your left hand moves up their biceps and triceps muscles. Decrease your lean toward them and decrease the bend in your left knee as your hand slides back to the distal part of the biceps and triceps muscles, repeat 3 times. Move to the side of the table to the client’s right side as they lye supine (face up), at the level of their sixth rib, facing the client’s head. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your right leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your right knee forward. Hold the client’s right wrist with your right left hand, lifting their arm off of the table. Keep your right elbow against your right side, lean sideways putting pressure through your right forearm and your right hand, which is partially wrapped around the lateral, distal part of their biceps and triceps muscles, with a sliding motion move your left hand to the lateral, top of their biceps and triceps muscles. Gently slide your hand back to the distal part of the biceps and triceps muscles. Bend your right knee more and lean toward the client as your right hand moves up their biceps and triceps muscles. Decrease your lean toward them and decrease the bend in your right knee as your right hand slides back to the distal part of the biceps and triceps muscles, repeat 3 times.

Palm strip the forearm

Move to the side of the table to the client’s right side as they lye supine (face up), at the level of their shoulder, facing the client’s legs. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your left leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your left knee forward. Hold the client’s right wrist with your right hand, bend their elbow to a 45 degree angle, lifting their forearm off of the table. Keep your left elbow against your left side, lean sideways putting pressure through your left forearm and your left hand, which is partially wrapped around the lateral, distal part of their forearm, with a sliding motion move your left hand to the lateral, top of their forearm, Gently slide your hand back to the lateral, distal part of their forearm. Bend your left knee more and lean toward the client as your left hand moves up their forearm. Decrease your lean toward them and decrease the bend in your left knee as your hand slides back to the distal part of forearm, repeat 3 times. Move to the side of the table to the client’s right side as they lye supine (face up), at the level of their sixth rib, facing the client’s head. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your right leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your right knee forward. Hold the client’s right wrist with your right left hand, lifting their arm off of the table. Keep your right elbow against your right side, lean sideways putting pressure through your right forearm and your right hand, which is partially wrapped around the lateral, distal part of their forearm, with a sliding motion move your left hand to the lateral, top of their forearm. Gently slide your hand back to the distal part of their forearm. Bend your right knee more and lean toward the client as your right hand moves up their forearm. Decrease your lean toward them and decrease the bend in your right knee as your right hand slides back to the distal part of their forearm, repeat 3 times.

Thumb strip the forearm

Move to the side of the table to the client’s right side as they lye supine (face up), at the level of their shoulder, facing the client’s legs. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your left leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your left knee forward. Hold the client’s right wrist, palm up, with your right hand, bend their elbow to a 45 degree angle, lifting their forearm off of the table. Keep your left elbow against your left side. Lean sideways putting pressure through your left forearm and your left hand, which is partially wrapped around the lateral, distal part of their forearm, with more pressure on your thumb, which is pointing toward their elbow. Using a sliding motion move your left hand to the lateral, top of their forearm. Gently slide your hand back to the lateral, distal part of their forearm. Bend your left knee more and lean toward the client as your left hand moves up their forearm. Decrease your lean toward them and decrease the bend in your left knee as your hand slides back to the distal part of forearm, repeat 3 times. Move to the side of the table to the client’s right side as they lye supine (face up), at the level of their sixth rib, facing the client’s head. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your right leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your right knee forward. Hold the client’s right wrist, palm up, with your right left hand, lifting their arm off of the table. Keep your right elbow against your right side, lean sideways putting pressure through your right forearm and your right hand, which is partially wrapped around the lateral, distal part of their forearm, with more pressure on your thumb, which is pointing toward their elbow. Using a sliding motion move your left hand to the lateral, top of their forearm. Gently slide your hand back to the distal part of their forearm. Bend your right knee more and lean toward the client as your right hand moves up their forearm. Decrease your lean toward them and decrease the bend in your right knee as your right hand slides back to the distal part of their forearm, repeat 3 times.

Thumb strip the bracioradialis

Airplane massage technique on the palm of the right hand

Move to the side of the table to the client’s right side as they lye supine (face up), at the level of their sixth rib, facing the client’s head. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your right leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your right knee forward. Hold the client’s right wrist, palm down, with your both of your hands, bend their elbow to a 45 degree angle, lifting their forearm off of the table. Put both of your hands palm up under the client’s right hand. Squeeze the hand and pull your fingers away from each other causing a lateral stretching on the heel of the palm of the client’s hand. Repeat this stretching squeeze on the middle of the palm of their hand and on the distal part of the palm of their hand, proximal to their fingers. Repeat this sequence of 3 stretching squeezes on the palm of the client’s hand 12 times.

Thumb fan the palm of the right hand, interlock the fingers massage technique

Thumb strip the palm of the right hand, interlock the fingers massage technique

Thumb strip the webs of the right hand

Stay at the side of the table to the client’s right side as they lye supine (face up), at the level of their sixth rib, facing the client’s head. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your right leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your right knee forward. Hold the client’s right hand, palm down, with your both of your hands, bend their elbow to a 45 degree angle, lifting their forearm off of the table. Grasp the client’s 2^nd finger with the 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th, fingers of your right hand, grasp the client’s 5^th finger with the 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th, fingers of your left hand. Put your index fingers under the palm of the hand to stabilize the hand. Use your right thumb to strip the 2^nd web and your left thumb to strip the 4^th web, by slowly sliding your thumbs from the distal end of the webs to the proximal part of the webs and gently sliding your thumbs back to the distal ends of the webs. Repeat 3 times. Then grasp the client’s thumb finger with the 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th, fingers of your right hand, grasp the client’s 4^th finger with the 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th, fingers of your left hand. Put your index fingers under the palm of the hand to stabilize the hand. Use your right thumb to strip the 1^st web and your left thumb to strip the 3^rd web, by slowly sliding your thumbs from the distal end of the webs to the proximal part of the webs and gently sliding your thumbs back to the distal ends of the webs. Repeat 3 times.

Milk and rotate the fingers of the right hand

Stay at the side of the table to the client’s right side as they lye supine (face up), at the level of their sixth rib, facing the client’s head. Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your right leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your right knee forward. Hold the client’s right hand, palm down, with your both of your hands, bend their elbow to a 45 degree angle, lifting their forearm off of the table. Hold the client’s 5^th finger with your left hand, between your thumb and 2^nd and 3^rd fingers, hold their 3^rd finger with your right hand, between your thumb and 2^nd and 3^rd fingers. Simultaneously squeeze, pull and slightly rotate the client’s fingers between your fingers, moving out to the tip of their fingers then back to the base of their fingers, repeat 3 times. Then hold the client’s 4^th finger with your left hand, between your thumb and 2^nd and 3^rd fingers, hold their 2^nd finger with your right hand, between your thumb and 2^nd and 3^rd fingers. Simultaneously squeeze, pull and slightly rotate the client’s toes between your fingers, moving out to the tip of their fingers then back to the base of their fingers, repeat 3 times. Then hold the client’s 3^rd finger with your left hand, between your thumb and 2^nd and 3^rd fingers, hold their 1^st finger with your right hand, between your thumb and 2^nd and 3^rd fingers. Simultaneously squeeze, pull and slightly rotate the client’s fingers between your fingers, moving out to the tip of their fingers then back to the base of their fingers, repeat 3 times.

Effleurage of the arm

Step to the other side of the table and repeat all of the procedures for the right arm on the client’s left arm, adjusting appropriately for the different positions you will need to be in to massage the left arm. For example when you are doing the first effleurage on the left arm, you will put your right leg in front of you, etc.

CHEST

Effleurage of the chest for female clients

Palm fanning of the chest for female clients

With the tops of your hands facing each other, the palms of your hands facing outward, thumbs down, contact only with your thumb, index finger and middle finger. Alternately stroke with your right fingers then your left fingers, from the anterior part of the client’s left shoulder to her left axillary area (under arm area). Repeat 6 times for a total of 12 strokes.

Kneading of the chest for female clients

Thumb fanning the chest for female clients

Effleurage of the chest for female clients

Effleurage of the chest for male clients

Palm fanning of the chest for male clients

Kneading of the chest for male clients

Step to the top of the table facing the top of the client’s left shoulder as they lye supine (face up). Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your left leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your left knee forward. Alternately knead from the right side of the chest to the left side of the chest, then back to the right side of the chest. Bend your left knee more as you knead to the left, decrease the bend in your left knee as you knead to the right, so you have better movement with less effort. Repeat 3 times.

Thumb fanning the chest for male clients

Step to the top of the table facing the top of the client’s left shoulder as they lye supine (face up). Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your left leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your left knee forward. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight arms and fingers. Start under the with your thumbs under the lateral part of the right clavicle, thumb fan from just below the clavicle to the bottom of the pectoralis muscles, from the right side of the chest to the left side of the chest, then back to the right side of the chest. Bend your left knee more as you thumb fan to the left, decrease the bend in your left knee as you thumb fan to the right, so you have better movement with less effort. Repeat 3 times.

Effleurage of the chest for male clients

Neck, head and face

Effleurage of the neck

Step to the top of the table facing the top of the client’s head as they lye supine (face up). Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your left leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your left knee forward. Lean forward putting pressure through your straight arms and fingers. Start with your open hands on the simultaneously slide your hands laterally from the area where the lateral part of the neck meets the top of the shoulders, across the top of the shoulders, your right hand sliding to the right and your left hand sliding to the left. Slide your right hand around the right shoulder, across the posterior part of the upper back to the right side of the spine, up the back, up the posterior part of the neck to the base of the head, pull on the head, then gently slide your right hand back down the right side of the neck, where the lateral part of the neck meets the top of the shoulders. Simultaneously slide your left hand around the left shoulder, across the posterior part of the upper back to the left side of the spine, up the back, up the posterior part of the neck to the base of the head, pull on the head, then gently slide your right hand back down the right side of the neck, where the lateral part of the neck meets the top of the shoulders. Repeat 3 times. The same massage procedure described in another way: start simultaneously with your right open hand in contact with the area where the lateral part of the neck meets the top of the right shoulder and with your left open hand in contact with the area where the lateral part of the neck meets the top of the left shoulder. Simultaneously slide your right hand to the right across the top of the right shoulder, slide your left hand to the left across the top of the left shoulder. Slide your right hand around the right shoulder, across the posterior part of the upper back to the right side of the spine, slide your left hand around the left shoulder, across the posterior part of the upper back to the left side of the spine. Slide your right hand up the back, up the posterior part of the neck to the base of the head and pull on the head, slide your left hand up the back, up the posterior part of the neck to the base of the head and pull on the head. Then gently slide your right hand back down the right side of the neck to where the lateral part of the neck meets the top of the right shoulder and gently slide your left hand back down the left side of the neck to where the lateral part of the neck meets the top of the left shoulder. Repeat 3 times.

Hook finger strip the trapezius muscle

Stay at the top of the table facing the top of the client’s head as they lye supine (face up). Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen, put your left leg in front of you (in fencing position) and bend your left knee forward. Bend your left knee more and lean toward the client as you place your hands palm up under the upper back to the level of the 4^th thoracic vertebrae. Place your right fingers by the right side of the spine and your left fingers by the left side of the spine. Curve your fingers into a hook shape, pull your fingers up the trapezius muscle, to the base of the head. Be careful not to hurt the client with your fingernails. Flatten out your hands, gently slide your hands back down to the upper back, to the level of the 4^th thoracic vertebrae, 2 finger widths lateral to the each side of the spinous processes of the spine. Curve your fingers into a hook shape, pull your fingers up the trapezius muscle, 2 finger widths lateral to the each side of the spinous processes of the spine, to the base of the head. Be careful not to hurt the client with your fingernails. Flatten out your hands, gently slide your hands back down to the upper back, to the level of the 4^th thoracic vertebrae, 4 finger widths lateral to the each side of the spinous processes of the spine. Curve your fingers into a hook shape, pull your fingers up the trapezius muscle, 4 finger widths lateral to the each side of the spinous processes of the spine, to the base of the head. Bend your left knee more and lean toward the client as your hands moves down to their mid back. Decrease your lean toward them and decrease the bend in your left knee as you pull your fingers up the trapezius muscle to the base of the head, for better movement with less effort.

Finger pressure circles on the back of the head

Place a chair at the top of the table and sit in it facing the top of the client’s head as they lye supine (face up). Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen. Pick up their head with both of your hands and turn it to the left. Cup your left hand around their left ear as you hold their head, so you put less pressure on their left ear. Use your 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th fingers of your right hand to do finger pressure circles on the back of the right side of their head. Do small circles and apply pressure so your fingers stay on the same area of the skin that moves over the tissue below the skin and so you don’t pull the client’s hair. When you move your hands to the next area to do the finger pressure circles, lift your hands up just enough so that, your fingers slide across the skin and don’t pull hard enough to cause pain or pull the client’s hair. Start just to the right of the midline at the base of the head, do 10 finger pressure circles in each spot in a vertical (superior) line up the back of the right side of the head. Do the finger pressure circles as far up the head as you think that you will not be able to reach easily when the persons head is lying straight on the table again. Move your fingers slightly to the right and do 10 finger pressure circles in each spot in a vertical (inferior) line down the back of the right side of the head. Move your fingers slightly to the right and do 10 finger pressure circles in each spot in a vertical (superior) line up the back of the right side of the head. Repeat this until you have covered every spot on the right side of the back of the head that you will not be able to reach easily when the persons head is lying straight on the table again. How many lines it takes to cover the back of the right side of the head depends on how big the client’s head is and how big your fingers are. Pick up their head again with both of your hands and turn it to the right. Cup your right hand around their right ear as you hold their head, so you put less pressure on their right ear. Use your 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th fingers of your left hand to do finger pressure circles on the back of the left side of their head. Do small circles so you don’t pull the client’s hair, lift your hand up just enough so that you don’t pull the client’s hair when you move your hand to the next area to do the finger pressure circles. Start just to the left of the mid-line at the base of the head, do 10 finger pressure circles in each spot in a vertical (superior) line up the back of the left side of the head. Do the finger pressure circles as far up the head as you think that you will not be able to reach easily when the persons head is lying straight on the table again. Move your fingers slightly to the left and do 10 finger pressure circles in each spot in a vertical (inferior) line down the back of the left side of the head. Move your fingers slightly to the left and do 10 finger pressure circles in each spot in a vertical (suprerior) line up the back of the left side of the head. Repeat this until you have covered every spot on the left side of the back of the head that you will not be able to reach easily when the persons head is lying straight on the table again. How many lines it takes to cover the back of the left side of the head depends on how big the client’s head is and how big your fingers are. When you turn their head straight you’ll be able to do the rest of the head without reaching under the head.

Finger pressure circles on the rest of the head

Keep the chair at the top of the table and sit in it facing the top of the client’s head as they lye supine (face up). Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen. Now you can use your 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th fingers of both of your hands at the same time to do finger pressure circles on the rest of the head. Do small circles and apply pressure so your fingers stay on the same area of the skin that moves over the tissue below the skin and so you don’t pull the client’s hair. When you move your hands to the next area to do the finger pressure circles, lift your hands up just enough so that, your fingers slide across the skin and don’t pull hard enough to cause pain or pull the client’s hair. Place your right hand on the right inferior, anterior hairline, which is inferior and posterior to the client’s right ear and your left hand on the left inferior, anterior hairline, which is inferior and posterior to the client’s left ear. Do 10 finger pressure circles on each of the spots in a pattern which follows the right and left hairlines, superior around each ear to the anterior hairline superior to the ear. Move your hands to the next area superior and do the finger pressure circles one line superior to the last line, back to one line posterior to the inferior, anterior hairline where you started this sequence of massage circles. Repeat one line posterior and superior each time until you reach the top of the head, where the position makes it difficult to use your fingers. Keep following this pattern with your thumbs, until the last one line on the very top of the head where on thumb is behind the other doing 10 finger pressure circles from the back of the top of the head to the front of the top of the head.

Thumb strokes across the forehead head

Keep the chair at the top of the table and sit in it facing the top of the client’s head as they lye supine (face up). Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen. Place your thumbs next to each other, one on each side of the mid-line, just superior to the eyebrows. Simultaneously stroke the right thumb to the right side of the forehead and left thumb to the left side of the forehead do 10 finger pressure circles at the end of each stroke on both sides. Repeat this stroke with the 10 finger pressure circles, one thumb width higher each time until you reach the top of the forehead, then repeat the whole procedure 3 times.

Finger pressure circles on the face

Keep the chair at the top of the table and sit in it facing the top of the client’s head as they lye supine (face up). Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen. Use your 2^ndand 3^rd fingers of both of your hands at the same time to do small finger pressure circles on the face. Do small circles and apply pressure so your fingers stay on the same area of the skin that moves over the tissue below the skin. When you move your hands to the next area to do the finger pressure circles, lift your hands up just enough so that, your fingers slide across the skin and don’t pull hard enough to cause pain. Start with your finger tips interlocked, do 10 finger pressure circles at each of the following spots, the mid-line between the eye brows, this is a good acupressure, stress relief spot, between the mid-line and the right eyebrow, between the mid-line and the left eyebrow, at each different spot of the mid-line to the top of the head. Then simultaneously, at the top of the forehead the right hand will go to the right, across the top of the forehead, doing 10 finger pressure circles in each spot and the left hand will go to the left, across the top of the forehead, doing 10 finger pressure circles in each spot. Both hands will move one line inferior on the forehead and do 10 finger pressure circles on each spot on the line back to the mid-line. Both hands will move one line inferior on the forehead and do 10 finger pressure circles on each spot on the line back to the side of the forehead. Simultaneously the right and left hands will do finger pressure circles on the following areas, in lines going from one spot to the next: temples, do 4 sets of finger pressure spots on the temples, because the temples are excellent acupressure, stress relief spots and most people are exposed to excess stress. Go across the upper zygomatic bone to the nasal bone, back across the lower part of the zygomatic bone to the TMJ, do 3 sets of finger pressure spots on the TMJ, because many people clinch or grind their teeth when they get under stress, which puts pressure on the TMJ. Go up and back down the masseter muscle, because it is the main muscle involved when people clinch or grind their teeth. Go across the upper part of the maxilla, then back across the lower part of the maxilla. Go across the upper part of the mandible then back across the lower part of the mandible and go around the ears.

Massage the client’s ears between your fingers

Keep the chair at the top of the table and sit in it facing the top of the client’s head as they lye supine (face up). Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen. Simultaneously massage the client’s right ear between your thumb and 2^ndand 3^rd fingers of your right hand and massage the client’s left ear between your thumb and 2^ndand 3^rd fingers of your left hand, from the bottom of the ear lobes to the top of the ears and back to the bottom of the ear lobes, repeat 3 times.

Cup your hands over the client’s ears

Keep the chair at the top of the table and sit in it facing the top of the client’s head as they lye supine (face up). Keep your back arched forward toward your abdomen. Simultaneously cup your right hand and put it over the client’s right ear and cup your left hand and put it over the client’s left ear, try to give them the sound of the ocean effect you may get when you put your ear up to a sea shell. Leave your hands over their ears for about 30 seconds, then slowly bring your hands away from their ears.

Swedish Massage