Types of Massage

Therapeutic Massage – Presence - mindfulness
What happens when a person ‘connects’ with their client – ‘is present’ all of the time during a treatment?
One experiences connectedness and is very aware of self; aware of what one is doing all of the time and the response one is getting from the other person. One’s full focus is on the process of the treatment and one’s mind does not stray away from the massage. One is very conscious of biological functioning – the feel of the blood coursing through the veins as one performs strokes – tuning into the reduction in breathing rate, the calming of the body, the letting go of tensions. One is a facilitator by being centered and staying calm and being open to receiving the messages from the client (non-verbally) and reading these subtle messages.
Keep the shield down (until there is a threat) to bring out softness, vulnerability/sensitivity... openness. This helps one relate to client, interpret what one is receiving from client that will direct tactile to specific places. However, work your boundaries if too much is being received with emotional results or discomfort in the process.... By becoming receptive one learns when to duck!
Successful treatment comes about when you relate to your body – centre, ground and begin practical work (what you know). Knowledge replaces fear. Help the client develop a relationship with their symptoms and relate symptoms with their whole life through your work.
LET UP - ALLOW
CLIENT
SYMPTOM
LIFE
Crude vibrations can help client to relate to ‘what is’ by educating them in how to allow the practitioner to work with them/ work their symptoms – help them to receive massage.
Constant focus:
One holds the thought that one has the ability to help the client make a change/ to heal/ to feel cared for/ supported. At all times one’s focus is either on
(a) mechanical engineering – performing strokes for a specific result like less tense muscle, breaking down adhesions, loosening a joint
(b) nurture and support – performing strokes in order that the client feels supported and cared for
(c) education – performing strokes so as to educate the client on the state of their body, to make them aware of ‘what is’ so that they can make the change
The mind/spirit/attitude of the practitioner is HOLISTIC. The work is personal – from the heart. The relationship is what counts
Talking the contract/ addressing expectations:
The language one uses with a client who asks ‘What can you do for me?’ is to state what others have found... For example... ‘Others with similar history have found that massage will help by.... supporting/softening/easing tensions/ milking away the muscle tension etc... The language never indicates that you do these things – it is the client who through self management and work/focus during massage brings about the results.
Trust yourself. Stand up, show up and do it. Value yourself. There is no integration without mistakes – work what you know and what you don’t know... form and intuitive improvising
Sometimes need to educate client by saying ‘do you feel this’, you are holding these muscles but you don’t know where the switch is’, stay focused on the holding pattern and work out what you need to let go of’, when you meet a sore point/ tension don’t fight it – allow it, don’t cut off and run (thinking about other things/ fall asleep), don’t create a barrier to fight against the tension... I can help you to relate to it so that you can reduce the symptoms....
HOWEVER, IT IS OK IF THE CLIENT DOES NOT WANT TO WORK IT. The time may not be right. Sometimes we need our symptoms! Who else? What else? What is the client willing to do? Enlarge perception to bigger picture of client life (HOLISTIC approach)
What are the obstacles to being present and tuning into client?
(a) Be good/ do it right – is there a right and wrong way?
(b) Attempting to please the client’s expectations rather than working what you, the professional, find. Maybe there is room for both in the treatment....
(c) You are preoccupied about personal issues, likes/dislikes
(d) You are afraid of being inadequate to do the job
(e) Spacing out – difficulty with holding focus
(f) Past patterns
(g) Trying to be present

Seated Massage: suitable for the workplace, during pregnancy, with the elderly, in public area...

• Brush down
• Traps to lower back effleurage
• Petrissage on shoulders
• Friction up alongside spine/ up spine of scapula/ along top of shoulders/up back of neck and along base of occiput
• Double palm press
• Reinforced palm press
• Loose fist pressure up erector spinea
• Upper arm massage
• Stretches
• Tapotement: Hacking, cupping, praying hands
• Head/scalp massage

Lymphatic drainage:
Lymphatic drainage is used to help with oedema. Massage contraindicated for pitted oedema – do LMD instead.
Divide body into four segments for work towards lymph sites at groin and armpit. Light pressure, Start nearest to lymph node site and work down the limb but towards lymph nodes. So proximal to distal but in direction of heart.... Use pillows to raise limbs while working, crude vibrations and stretches may help with work.
Techniques: Thumb screws (popiteal), stationary circles (achilles), palm circles, finger circles (on limbs). Lymph drains through left thoracic duct. Chest – pressure on inhale – resist expansion . Left Thoracic Duct – pump on exhale. Fist on navel – pumping on exhale

Pregnancy massage: Avoid massaging women who have a risk or history of miscarriage when they are trying to conceive.
First Trimester: It is often recommended not to massage during the first three months of a pregnancy but it is often 2 months before people confirm they are pregnant and some people keep it secret even after that. Positioning of client is not crucial in this phase.
Rest of Pregnancy: Lie client on their side. Bolster as necessary. Relaxin is in the system at this stage so avoid full range of motion movements and over stretching of ligaments, especially in the pelvic area. Oedema may be a problem towards the end. Perform lymphatic drainage.
After birth massage can be very supportive – relaxing strokes.

Infant Massage: Improved bonding between baby and person massaging. Infants may have a preference for some strokes, not be happy with some areas of the body being worked…. Keep eye on baby’s response.
15 minutes duration
Light pressure

Elderly massage: Usually 30 minute duration, light/ superficial strokes, with range of motion activities incorporated. Important to observe condition of skin, foot massage very supportive in older adults. Seated and through clothes may be preferred options but be guided by client.

Chronically ill: Referral and in conjunction with medical team, be informed on pathology/ possible side-effects. Positioning may be important/duration/pressure of strokes.

Athletes: Pre-event, post-event, inter-event, recovery and maintenance massage
Every massage must be designed to suit the individual, the sport and the condition of the athlete.
Pre-event is up-tempo and usually incorporates stretching. End with Tapotement.
Inter-event will involve compressions, shaking, short effleurage strokes, stretches.
Post-event massage should use long, slow, light effleurage strokes and stretches. End with effleurage.
During recovery (at least 6 hours after activity) and maintenance massage therapeutic work can be done.
New strokes: Squeezing, wringing petrissage on gastrocnemius, compressions, soft tissue release, myofascial release, cam and spindle, Deep friction work into origins and insertions of muscles, at bony points, Working with muscle in shortened position with or without stretches, pinching friction on ITB, adductors, hamstrings with or without rocking etc…

http://www.ultimatewatermassage.com/in_sports.htm
“At the highest level of performance massage can provide an extra edge to the athletes. Massage has become a necessary ingredient for a complete workout. A complete workout routine includes not only the exercise itself, but also caring for the wear-and-tear and minor injuries that naturally occur with strenuous movement. The holistic nature of massage make it an ideal complement to a total conditioning program.
Anyone who routinely stretches their physical limits through movements such as running, hiking, swimming, dancing, strength training or other physical activities will benefit from a massage. There are others who engage in strenuous activities during their daily routines that are not normally classified as exercise but who also benefit from massage due to the extent of their activity level. High activity levels are often experienced by construction workers, gardeners, mothers with small children and others who use their bodies strenuously in their work.
Adding massage to your conditioning program lets you get into good shape faster, and with less stiffness and soreness. It helps you recover faster from heavy workouts, and reduces conditions which may cause injury. “

Sports Massage covers three main categories: event (pre- and post-), maintenance, and rehabilitation. Event massage takes place before an event (or workout), as part of warming up, or afterwards, to reduce the muscle spasms and metabolic buildup that occurs after intensive exercise. Maintenance massage is designed to help the athlete reach peak performance through a routine program of massage. Rehabilitation massage aids in the management of both acute and chronic injuries. These benefits are valuable not only for athletes, but for anyone who works out on a regular basis. Every sport uses muscle groups in a different way and therefore strokes and areas of the body concentratede on will need to suit the individual movements within the sport.

Pre-event or pre-workout massage (15-20 minutes)
• Warms up the muscles - getting the blood circulation going
• Allows muscle to warm-up without causing pre-event tiring
• Allows longer workout with reduced risk of injury
• Increases flexibility and range of motion (incorporate Stretching)
Post-event or post-workout massage (15 - 20 minutes)
• Relieves DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) and in some cases cuts the recovery time in half
• Relieves muscle cramps and spasm
• Jump starts the process of removing lactic acid and metabolic build up in muscles that occurs with exercise. Enhances elimination of metabolic by-products (hydrogen ions and lactic acid) of exercise.
Maintenance / Rehabilitation massage (1 - 1 ½ hours)
• Increases flexibility and range of motion
• Speeds up the body's recovery process by helping to eliminate lactic acid and waste matter from muscles
• Reduces muscle soreness, stiffness, cramps and pain
• Reduces the risk of injury through proper stretching and event preparation, and through deep tissue massage
• Manages both acute and chronic injuries
• Improves muscle tone
• Reduces muscles adhesions and scar tissue formation by breaking down scar tissue into smaller particles that can be absorbed into the lymph vessels. Left alone, scar tissue can remain as hard as bone. Massage in post-acute or chronic stages will prevent this by stopping the cells from binding together
• Recharges and renews body
• Increases blood circulation and lymph flow
• Maximizes the supply of nutrients and oxygen through increased blood flow
• Enhances the body's innate healing abilities