I’ve done the “floating” thing at the end of my back massage ever since I had it done to me years ago. It felt like the therapists hands were still there and I didn’t even realize they weren’t until she started undraping my leg! It was heavenly. I finish the back, redrape and then do compressions that end with one hand at the sacrum and one at the upper back, then slowly release. It’s NICE 🥰
Hello Sloths! I do this same kind of "floating" out with my massages. Happy you came up with such a perfect, simple word for such a way of what we do. :) Depending on the needs of the client...but if they are in grief or have gone through a hard time, I may end with one hand on their crown chakra with my other gently across their heart. If they are going back to work I may have them smell an invigorating aroma such as peppermint or mint and citrus combo. The cranial melt in the video is another thing I do...with each breath I melt a little more and slowly slide away. Sometimes I slide my hands under their back and do a slow myofascial drag from as far as I can reach to the crown of their head. Hair pulls. If ending them prone, I may do a full body nerve stroke brush....there are just so many possibilities! I definitely agree that lifting off slowly feels better than just stopping and moving to the next part. Thank you for making this video Ian!
Thank you for bringing up to this topic. Nothing says experience better than a beautiful waking from deep relaxation. I always try to end the session the same way. At the feet with some gentle traction followed by light rocking (kenbiki). I softly thank the client and ask them to do some gentle stretches before getting up. Sometimes, if needed, I give instructions on how to get up from the table, i.e., roll to the side or tuck chin before lifting head. If I had access to chimes, I’d use them, too. When stepping out of the room, I also warn clients if I am turning on the brighter lights. 💡
You are amazing! Love watching your techniques (layperson here but work on my husband & hope he’ll also use them on my neck/hips/back). TY from Alberta, Canada!
I do the brushing of the back with the sheet on and then one hand on c7 and one hand on the low back I do a slight rocking motion for maybe 45 seconds. Clients have found it to be comforting.
I am a body therapist and I really pay attention to the first touch and last touch of each stroke. I had a Thai massage the other day which was rushed and rough. I didn't feel like I developed trust and safety throughout the treatment and felt a bit thrown around. These conscious movements I think establish trust and show loving touch. Great stuff
Thanks for the kind and thoughtful comments! And I love the phrase "establishing trust." That's something that we can do with every contact, or erode with carelessness. I'm gonna think more on that concept.
I have a client who always asks for traction at the feet to end the massage. I like it because the release feels like a natural conclusion, but I don't normally end at the feet. I usually end the massage with compression and the floating release you described. But if I end somewhere awkward, like the QLs or something, I'll smooth it it with effleurage and finish with tapotement or nerve strokes.
I can definitely see why you need good communication when doing this. I’m the ticklish commenter w/personal space issues. I would not be able to do this. By the way, I finally had the back surgery and it has helped.
I’m so happy my friend showed me your channel! I’ve been so sad because currently my massage program is online due to corona. I still get to learn and practice new techniques on family with your channel and still gett some hands on “self learning”. Thank you for your amazing videos! It would be so cool if you traveled and did classes. I would sign up ASAP.
Watching this video a during a quarantine COVID-19, I stay home all day and, watching this video so very comfortable and, relaxing! 😉👍 Keeping more coming, Ian!
Massage Sloth I feel your pain. I pray you receive and manifest God’s perfect Shalom peace. Guided meditation through the Psalms helps. Go to Discovering the Jewish Jesus site if you would like to order the cds.
I don't have much experience, been working massage for about a year only. I feel personally I like to have some fastened rubs on the muscles that were worked on the most, sort of s cignitiv activatiopn of the tissue, since too much mechanical stimulus can cause the tissue to go too soft, which is good if the patient is laying down. But if they gotta get out and do anything, I want them ready. Had only thought of releasing pressure like that for trigger point work. I appreciatte very much you sharing your techniques, I like to find out some massage therapists, since I'm a newbie, still studying.
Some nice vigorous work over the top sheet would be an excellent way of waking the nervous system (and the client!) back up. That could be especially useful for a client who struggles with low energy, low blood pressure, etc. For most clients though, I find leaving them a puddle of goo is not only fine, but welcome!
Where can I find your recent essay about what-to-do with the time off due to Covid19? I couldn't find it or another more suitable place to leave this question. Love your videos!
Hi doctor, I love your channel! I got a question for you. I've been suffering from excruciating pain for the last 4 months due to, what appears to be, myofascial pain syndrome and tension headaches related to bad posture, and the MRI's show everything is 'normal'. As soon as I get up in the mornings I feel as if someone is pulling my occipital muscles, like a rubber band tightening my neck and later in the day, goes through my temples and forehead. Usually in the middle of the day it turns into a full headache. I've done Physical Therapy, Prolotherapy, Neural Therapy and nothing, nothing seems to make this discomfort and pain go away. Someone told me I should try Myofascial Release Therapy or massages but I would like to hear your opinion. Thank you so much and greetings from Bogotá, Colombia
Just to clarify, I'm not a doctor, just a humble massage therapist :) Myofascial release could possibly be helpful for pain at the base of your skull. Remember that this is where your trapezius attaches (the big muscle on top of your shoulder/upper back), as well as the little muscles at the base of the skull and neck. In other words, do things that will help your trapezius muscles feel happy and healthy. That can include stretching the other muscles surrounding your head and neck, including your chest and shoulders. If you'd like a broad stretching and strengthening program, yoga can be a good adjunct to physical therapy. So, certainly try massage, yoga, and strength training, but please do so under the supervision of your doctor and physical therapist, and change or discontinue any new therapies if they cause an increase in pain. Continue pursuing this with your medical team, and if you hit a wall where nothing is improving, consider seeking out a second opinion from another medical professional. Some physical therapy works better than others, and some tests can be more useful than others. In other words, keep going, and keep trying new things! Best of luck, and sorry that I can't be of more help!
I was just about to start offering workshops when the pandemic hit 🙂 I'm hoping to get back in gear by the end of the year. If you'd like to keep abreast of that you can sign up for my mailing list: massagesloth.com/mailinglist/ Online courses likely next year!
Traction means pulling or drawing; in the context of the body, it means pulling in a way that decompresses one or more joints. Pulling on the arm puts the shoulder joint in traction, pulling on the head puts the cervical spine in traction, etc. Good question!
I would be kinda nervous to do the neck cradle because I’m afield my nails would dig into the skin. I keep my nails clipped and groomed bit I’d still be nervous. How do you do this would interference from the finger nails?
I keep my nails quite short, which I talk more about here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-b3QSVXv3CS4.html My best advice is to try this on your own skull and neck and see how it feels! Lie down, curl your fingers into a cradle for your head, and see whether there's anything sharp that might be a distraction to clients.
