Forearm Massage - Tips and Techniques

Transcription

1 of Therapeutic Massage : A Guide To Using The Forearms by Shari Auth, LMT, L. Acu Using the forearms instead of the hands is a great way to reduce stress to the hands,which are so overused in massage work. All massage therapists should learn the Auth Method forearm massage techniques to help protect and prolong their careers. - Lauriann Greene, CEAS Co-author of Save Your Hands!

2 First Edition A Guide To Using The Forearms by Shari Auth, L.Ac., LMT published by Auth Method books

3 A Guide To Using The Forearms First Edition Copyright 2011 Auth Method books, All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the publisher of the book. The scanning, uploading and distribution of the book via the Internet or any other means without the written permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Your support of the authors rights is appreciated. The reader should seek appropriate professional medical advice before beginning the techniques covered in this book. The authors and publisher of this book have no liability or responsibility for any loss or damage incurred to any person or entity caused or alleged to be caused, either directly or indirectly, by any information presented in this book. The authors and publisher make no representations, guarantees or warranties with regard to any benefit or outcome to the reader based on the use or application of information contained in this book. IBSN: Library Catalog of Control Number: Published by Auth Method Books; 250 5th Ave. Suite 515, New York, NY Website: Book design and cover photography by Scott Davis Photography by Peter Margonelli Copy editing by Nancy Auth Models: Fatima Jones, Glenn Rice, Amy Statuto Tango Photo; Photographer: Lina Bertucci; Dancers: Virginia Kelly, Walter Perez Printed and bound in the United States of America What each must seek in his life never was on land or sea. It is something out of his own unique potentiality for experience, something that never has been and never could have been experienced by anyone else. Joseph Campbell

4 contents preface 13 chapter 1 Introduction To Forearm Massage 15 chapter 2 Body Mechanics 32 chapter 3 Stretching 44 chapter 4 The Back: Prone Position / Introduction 48 Back 49 Back of Arms 55 Lateral Line of Torso 59 Upper Back 63 Hips and Lower Back 67 Double Forearm Hip and Back Work 71 Sacrum 72 Back Sequence 73 chapter 5 The Back of the Legs and Hips: Prone Position / Introduction 76 Back of Leg and Hip 77 Sole of the Foot 85 Back of the Leg and Hips with Bent Knee 86 Lateral Line of the Leg 89 Leg and Hip Sequence 92 chapter 6 The Chest and Arms: Supine Position / Introduction 94 Chest 95 Biceps 97 Anterior Deltoid 99 Front of the Forearm 100 Chest and Arm Sequence 101 chapter 7 The Front of the Legs: Supine Position / Introduction 103 Single Forearm Quadriceps 104 Double Forearm Front of Leg 106

5 contents chapter 7 (continued) Tibialis Anterior and Retinaculum 109 Abductors 112 Hamstrings 113 Leg Sequence 114 Chapter 8: The Abdomen: Supine Position / Introduction 116 Psoas 117 Diaphragm 119 chapter 9 Legs: Side Lying Position / Introduction 121 Medial Leg 122 Lateral Leg 124 chapter 10 Hips and Back: Side Lying Position / Introduction 129 Hip Abductors 130 Quadratus Lumborum 133 Ilio-psoas 134 Hip Rotators 135 Back 136 chapter 11 Shoulders and Neck: Side Lying Position / Introduction 138 Chest 139 Scapula 140 Side of the Neck 141 Levator Scapula/Rhomboids/Trapezius 143 Deltoids 145 Axillary Border of Scapula 149 Lower Shoulder - Side of Torso 151 Axillary Border of Scapula with Movement 152

6 contents chapter 12 Using The Hands: Small and Fragile Areas / Introduction 154 Back of the Neck 155 Front of the Neck 157 Knuckles 158 Rib Cage 159 Sternum 160 Working with the Fists 161 chapter 13 Mind Body 162

7 preface My first massage job was at a spa. An average shift at the spa was six one-hour full body massages, usually all new clients coming in for their first massage in years. Doing six massages a day on tight bodies, I quickly learned the importance of proper body mechanics and using the forearms to do massage. I began to rely on my forearms to work the entire body, reserving my hands for my client s toes, fingers and neck. Fifteen years later, I am still seeing six clients a day (if not more) and I do not have nor have I had carpal tunnel, pain in my hands, lumbago or any other massage-related injuries. I attribute this to using my forearms to perform the vast majority of massage work, and practicing good body mechanics while giving a massage. Forearm massage wasn t part of my curriculum in massage school and yet I use it more than the other methods I studied. I designed the Auth Method to help professional massage therapists enjoy longer, healthier careers. The Auth Method is a massage technique that takes the practitioner s well-being into account, as well as that of the client. When performed correctly it feels comfortable to do and great to receive. I encourage you to practice these massage techniques with another massage practitioner so you can give and receive. Receiving bodywork can be just as informative, if not more so, on what feels good and is effective for your clients. Begin practicing these forearm massage strokes using a light stroke and gradually move deeper by applying more body weight. By using body weight instead of muscular force performing massage will become easier. Gradually work layer by layer to create a massage experience that is deep without being painful. When I was getting my Master s degree in Chinese Medicine, I was introduced to Qi Gong. Qi Gong is an ancient Chinese exercise system that couples movement with breath. The movements in Qi Gong are slow and relaxed the ideal pace for massage. The Qi Gong stance is grounded and strong in the lower body, like a tree trunk rooted to the earth, and relaxed and fluid in the upper body like tree branches flowing in the wind. The legs are spread wide with the knees bent. The back is straight and the shoulders relaxed. The arms are loose like wet spaghetti. The Auth Method teaches simple Qi Gong exercises that are excellent for developing good body mechanics while working. I encourage you to be creative. If a technique isn t comfortable, check to make sure you are performing the technique correctly. In some cases you may need to modify a stroke based on your body shape. Please modify as you need to for comfort. When one of my students has their a-ha moment they usually say something like, But I don t feel like I m doing anything or But that s too easy. Be open to the possibility that massage isn t as much work as you may have previously believed. The Auth Method is inclusive. If you already have a massage routine, you ll find these techniques blend in easily to existing routines and techniques. There are two DVD s that demonstrate the forearm massage techniques in the book and reference to them is made when applicable. DVD 1 entitled, A Guide Using the Forearms and DVD 2 entitled, Forearm Massage: Side lying Position, are available on the website at Good luck and enjoy. Page

8 chapter 1: introduction first things first It is after you have explored the body with your hands that you are ready to start navigating the body with your forearms. The Auth Method is specifically designed for professional massage therapists and advanced students of massage, because they have already learned to massage with their hands. Our hands are very sensitive, so it is only natural to begin massaging the body with our hands. Getting to know the landscape of the body, and how to differentiate and release tight muscles with the hands first, will make it easier when you begin using your forearms. If there is a part of the body that is covered in this book that is unfamiliar to you, such as the psoas, I suggest you palpate that muscle or area of the body with your hands first. Then perform the stroke lightly with your forearm moving gradually deeper. developing sensitivity With practice, your forearms will become increasingly sensitive and like the hands they can become your sensory device for detecting tension in your client s body. In my own experience as a massage client I ve often been snapped out of a state of total relaxation when the therapist roughly introduces an elbow and pokes around with too much pressure, bumping up against my spine or some other bony prominence. Many people immediately associate forearm massage with deep tissue work. This is not a rule. Forearm massage is great for light or deep work. Students of forearm massage should begin by using the forearms to do light work, until they learn the nuances of this new tool. Using the forearms to do light work is a safer, more practical way to develop sensitivity in the forearms. Being a great artist is about how well one sees; being a great body worker is about how well one feels, and both require great sensitivity. Spend time developing sensitivity in your forearms. Some suggested ways to do this include the following: Use the forearms to work sensitive areas where only a gentle, knowing touch is needed, such as the abdomen. Practice working with your eyes closed, further emphasizing the need to feel your way across the body. Work with a partner who gives good feedback and can help you become more aware. Page

9 why forearms? 1 The forearms are more resilient than the hands, fingers and thumb, and less pointy than the elbows. 2 By using the forearms as the primary massage tool, the massage practitioner can work deeper with less effort and reduce wear and tear on their hands. 3 Using the forearms increases the area of contact, so the practitioner can work more of their client in less time. 4 The forearm is more durable and can withstand more pressure than the more fragile joints of the hands. 5 The forearm is perfect for leaning into your body weight, so you can work deeper with less effort. Let s face it, only gorillas lean on their knuckles, we lean on our forearms. Page

10 The Auth Method teaches a wealth of informaiton on proper body mechanics, self care and how to incorporate more forearm work into your practice. It is an accessible presentation of material that will help prevent physical burnout and hopefully make you more effective at the same time. - Mathew Sorlie, LMP, Director of Education, Cortiva Institute, Seattle Learn to give a full body massage using the forearms as the primary massage tool. Some of the advantages of massaging with the forearms include; more durability, more leverage, a larger surface area of contact and reduced wear and tear on the more fragile joints of the hands and wrist. These forearm massage techniques can be used for both deep tissue and light circulatory massage, and easily integrate into existing massage routines. This is a user friendly guide to using the forearms to massage the body in supine, prone and side lying position. In addition, this book teaches simple Qi Gong exercises for better body mechanics. SHARI AUTH, LMT, L.Ac. Shari is a licensed massage therapist and acupuncturist, and is certified in the Rolf Method of Structural Integration and Chinese herbology. Mrs. Auth is the creator of the Auth Method and has a full time practice in New York city.