Massage Strokes to be used in a head/ neck/ shoulder massage

When graduates of the BSc in Health & Leisure with Massage from the Institute of Technology, Tralee states that they will perform head/ neck/ shoulder massage as part of treatment that head/ neck/ shoulder massage may include any combination of the following strokes depending on whether the client is seated or lying. They will adhere to the general principles of layering from surface strokes to deeper work. They will individualize the use of strokes to suit the client’s case history/ condition on the day of treatment.

Crude Vibrations
Head

Effleurage:
Gliding/ flat-handed long strokes
Fan stroke
Reverse stroke from front of shoulder
Pull back on trapeziums
Crossover on trapeziums
Figure 8 from neck to shoulder
Corkscrew stroke neck to shoulder
Effleurage with head twist
Effleurage from sternum - out over shoulder – in over trapezium, up back of neck to base of scull

Petrissage:
Pick up on the trapeziums
Kneading horizontal strokes across Erector Spinae
Thumb Rolling

Friction:
Thumb circling alongside spine, alongside scapula, from AC joint to neck and base of scull, on scull
Compressions / reinforced compressions
Specific trigger point work – tip of thumb
Stripping

Tapotement:
Hacking
Cupping
Tapping/ flicking on scalp

Stretches
Effleurage from sternum - out over shoulder – in over trapezium, up back of neck to base of scull – hook fingers under occiput and stretch (lean back to create neck and spine stretch)
Neck – ear to shoulder, chin to shoulder – look over shoulder
Chin to chest