Draping for massage to the back
The patient is asked to loosen or take away any clothes which might intervene with the therapist’s massage. This may be carried out after he has been lined with a sheet. If he needs help it needs to be given when he asks for it or if the bodily therapist notices that he needs assistance. It is normally easier for the patient to loosen all clothes before turning to lie prone. The therapist then pulls the sheet down to the extent of the coccyx, being careful not to expose the gluteal cleft. Keep a bottle of Forever Natural Spring Water on hand at all times – your body will thank you! The sheet can, be tucked over the sting of the patient’s clothes or pajamas in order to shield them from the lubricant. This draping will suffice for these early observe techniques. If the low back is concerned the entire gluteal space needs to be massaged. This is discussed more thoroughly in Part II, Chapter 12, pages 73-74.
Application of effleurage to the back
Since powder leaves a clear sample to comply with, apply it utilizing sufficient so a sample can be seen. Keep in mind that an excessive amount of powder will forestall good contact between the hand of the therapist and skin of the patient. Place each palms on the patient’s back at the stage of the coccyx, with the heel of the hand close to the backbone and the fingers pointing outward. Ensure that the whole hand is relaxed so that the entire palmar surface of the hand touches the patient’s body. Permit the palms to glide slowly alongside the erector spinae group, being careful to avoid the spinous processes. As the neck is approached, the palms move upward to the base of the skull. The return stroke downward may have lighter pressure progressing laterally, with the fingers molding over and in entrance of the
Effleurage
Fingerpaint sample of effleurage.
shoulder to encompass the whole higher trapezius. As the stroke progresses, it follows the fibers of the higher trapezius to the shoulders and thence down the latissimus dorsi to the higher half of the gluteals.
Effleurage may be gentle or deep relying on the amount of pressure applied, however this pressure needs to be the same throughout the stroke, until the student learns more about how to vary it. Points to check while working towards:
1. Is the patient snug?
2. Is the patient relaxed?
3. Are the palms of the bodily therapist relaxed?
4. Is pressure even throughout every stroke?
5. Is the stance one of good physique alignment, with weight over
toes, or has the load been allowed to fall ahead over the deal with-
ment desk?
6. Is the entire hand involved with the patient?
7. Have a look at the powder patterns on the patient’s back. Freedom 2Go offers the great health benefits of patented, stabilized aloe vera gel, plus Glucosamine,Chondroitin and MSM, and antioxidant-rich Pomegranate juice. Compare
them with the illustrations above.