Dr. Tim's Classic Swedish Massage

Before starting any Therapeutic Swedish Massage, begin by actively stretching your Hand Flexor and Extensor Muscles. Put your hands in the Prayer Position and against resistance, pull your extended hands apart. As you separate them, imagine pushing both hands against a wall.

Stretch your Posterior Neck Extensor Muscles by tipping your chin to your chest and HOLDING for 3-10 seconds.

Stretch your Anterior Neck Flexor Muscles by looking UP toward the sky and HOLD for 3-10 seconds.

Rotate and HOLD your head to the RIGHT and to the LEFT.

Warm your HANDS.

Laterally FLEX your Cervical Spine (ear to shoulder) and HOLD the position for 3-10 seconds.

Stretch your Finger Flexors by extending your fingers toward the back of your hand.

Make a FIST to stretch your Finger Extensor muscles.

CENTER yourself...Focus quietly and set your INTENTION for your Swedish Back Massage.

Draping...has become an art form in Massage Therapy today.

Undrape the BACK confidently and gently secure your sheet underneath the client's Anterior Superior Iliac Spine, also known as (AKA) the ASIS with your palms facing UPWARD, so you don't scratch your client.

Your Swedish Massage begins the moment you begin spreading oil or lotion with Effleurage strokes.

Begin your Back Massage with several BUTTERFLY Effleurage strokes. Don't forget to address the Triceps Brachii muscle. Keep your FINGERS TOGETHER so you can transfer heat from your warm hands to your client's back.

Practice Sun-Moon Effleurage strokes over the Deltoid muscle and the Rotator Cuff muscles of the shoulder. This nice and simple stroke warms and prepares the back for Petrissage.

A GREAT place to begin Petrissage is over the Upper Trapezius area on top of the shoulder. Move your BODY when performing Petrissage. Let your HANDS start the Petrissage stroke and your BODY will naturally FOLLOW. As you Petrissage the Triceps, allow your centripetal hand, that is the hand that's stroking toward the heart, to use a slightly firmer pressure to encourage blood flow back to the heart.

Remember to Effleurage and Petrissage the back for 5-10 minutes. Slow down where the External Oblique muscle meets the Latissimus Dorsi , near the side of the lower back, since this area can be ticklish.

Single and Double Hand Petrissage feels absolutely wonderful, especially over the back of the neck!

Methodically massage the back muscles using your Anterior Forearm to lengthen muscles from the lumbar area of the back to the top of the shoulder. Allow your Olecranon Process of the ulna to slowly glide over the ridge of the Upper Trapezius muscle. Circle around each SCAPULA and travel DOWN the back with both anterior forearms.

NEVER use the side of the ULNA BONE to massage a muscle. That would NOT be a pleasant experience for your client, especially over their rib cage.

SMOOTH out the back with several nurturing Butterfly Effleurage Massage strokes.

Make a smooth transition into Friction. Start with Vertical Friction. Friction is a DEEP HEATING stroke that is generally placed near the end of your Swedish Massage routine.

Diagonal Friction is a "spin-off" of vertical friction. It allow you to friction massage the lateral tops of BOTH SHOULDERS and the lateral lower back muscles alternately. Friction over BOTH SCAPULAE and smoothly transition into...

Lateral Friction from the SIDE of your massage table. Lateral friction FEELS FANTASTIC over lower back musculature! Don't allow your fingertips or the heels of your hands to lift off your client as you perform lateral friction. This, along with keeping your fingers together will generate HEAT to soothe and warm soft tissue of the lower back and the upper Gluteal muscles.

A simple Rib Lift Effleurage is most comforting as your Swedish Massage nears completion.

Slowly and Artistically transition into Percussion, also known as (AKA) Tapotement. Slow your Percussion down and make your last transition by CLOSING the Governing Vessel Meridian, from L5 to T1 and continue by tracing the air over your client's head and down to the middle of their upper lip area.

This concludes my Classic Swedish Massage for the back.

For more Swedish Massage and Deep Tissue Massage information, please go to the Massage Videos button on the Navigation Bar or CLICK the LINK below...

"Challenge yourself to make a difference in the world...one Swedish Massage at a time...Dr. Tim & Therapist Miffy Cashwell

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