Swedish Massage Sequence

[peppermintmoon]

Hi there,
I took the IIHHT Body Massage Cert a few years ago (its now called Swedish Massage level 3) but can't remember some of the moves! I know what each move is (efflurage, friction etc) it's jus the order. I really want to start practising again, and wondered if anyone (very kindly) could list out the sequence fro me, I know I will remember it when I see it! My husband is the lucky guinea pig (victim!) I'm going to practise on.

It would be a big help, thank you so much in advance, I've had two children since taking the cert in 1998 and my brain ain't what it used to be!!!
Blessings xx

[rakhee]

Hi

i will list the sequence quickly.

Start on the right arm - relax it, massage it.
Then the left arm - relax and massage it
The uncover the top of the chest area (just above the breast area). Work around this and under the shoulder area. Work down the spine area as far as you can go. Work the back of the neck, sides of the neck as well down to the shoulder turning the head away. Lymph drainagefrom collarbone to under arm
Uncover stomach and work stomach area
uncover right leg and work that, massaging all the way first, then working on lower leg, knee area (lymph drainage), thighs, cupping, hacking
Do same for Left leg
Turn client over
Work the backs of the legs (first right and then left)
Then work the upper back keeping lower uncovered. Work the scapula areas, trapezius, then work the spine area. Uncover bottom area and work up to the glutes
Then finish the client off

Hope this helps

I am remembering off the top of my head

[chid]

I Did the ITEC diplomam, and was taught the order being:-
back massage
left leg
right leg
turn over client
right arm
front right leg
front left leg
left arm
stomach
shoulders /neck
face
head

[peppermintmoon]

Thank you so much thats a real help.

Blessings and best wishes
xxx

[Soar]

I did VTCT and was taught the same routine as Chid

[Supersub]

I did VTCT and was taught:

(supine): legs and feet/arms/stomach/chest and neck
(prone): legs/back

[Life705]

Also taught the same way as Supersub for the Swedish Massage (and more or less the same as Chid for the Aroma massage)
Cath xx

[chid]

When i did the aroma, we were taught lumph drainage moves - !!! again Tutor owns rules and ways !!!!!

[rose77]

hi i was just woundering if the course was any good. im just about to enrol and i was questioning is credibility. as i have done different courses in the past pilates gyrotonic etc i was worried because i see most people have another qualification> so how good is ihht and can i use it to get a job after.!!!

[Alan D]

There was a interesting discussion on whether to start prone or supine on the earlier thread
[link=http://www.healthypages.net/forum/tm.asp?m=160580]http://www.healthypages.net/forum/tm.asp?m=160580[/link]

Personally I prefer to start supine, so that I can check whether the pressure is comfortable for the client, and finish with the back which is the most relaxing part of the massage.

Alan

[dragon_saphira]

Hey,
the order that Child gace you is the one we use in college but as for the moves there is no set way to the moves as long as it looks continues. (sorry i cant spell right) It will come back to you in time dont force it into your head take a step back drink some calm herb teas and it will come back.

[Alan D]

For several years, the standard ITEC textbook was ‘Principles & Practice of Physical Therapy’ (W Arnould-Taylor). The routine which that book gives (page 110 of the 4th edition) is:
1) start supine, massage front of one leg and arm on same side
2) walk round client, massage other arm and leg
3) massage abdomen
4) turn client, massage back of one leg, buttock and arm
5) walk round client, massage other arm, back of leg and buttock
6) massage back, neck and shoulders

But (as Chid pointed out) ITEC give their tutors a lot of freedom, and many of them teach different sequences!

Alan

[rainbowchild]

On My VTCT course I was taught

Lying Supine:

Right Arm
Front of Right leg
Front of Left Leg
Left Arm
Abdomen ( Female only)
Chest

Turn Over prone position

Back of right leg
Back of left leg
Back and Shoulders

[nickyjlees]

I completed my VTCT swedish massage course around three years ago and have also forgotten my routine and cant find my course notes. I know the order of the body areas...as they have been helpfully listed above!... but does anyone have the actual list of moves in order of each body part? eg. Leg - start with efflurage then move to picking up.... etc ... ?
Any help would be gratefully recieved!!!!
Thanks guys!

[JoJo2504]

If anyone wants the actual movements I have them scanned on my laptop. You may pm me your email address if you wish to have them.

Best wishes Jo x

P.S It's in word document format.

[Bodywork]

I consider myself lucky in that I had two tutors on my VTCT course so got the best of everything. One started supline and the other prone. One did buttocks but not face and the other did face and not buttocks. The arguments for starting on the back or not is more one of the clients wishes/feelings. Some clients new to massage feel more vunerable and less likely to relax if you start supine. Staring on the back gives the client hance to get used to the experience.

During my swedish massage course I took the opportunity to receive as many massages as possible from experienced therapists and quickly came to realise that you need sequences to pass your exam and get your qualification. It's almost like massaging by numbers. After you have qualified you quickly develop your own style and thecnique and adapt each massage to the needs of your client. I never follow the same routine twice.

[DDSPB]

There is a lot of conflicting information on this thread, which only proves that each has their own way of massaging a client. As long as the movement is continuous and the client is relaxed, I think that everyone is correct.

[Nefra]

The routines taught by ITEC and VTCT are different. I wouldn't worry too much about routine once you've qualified though. I never massage the same way twice. I go by what I find and what the client wants. The way I see it, no two people are alike so what's right for one person is not necessarily going to be right for the next.

So long as you understand the effects of the movements you are doing and have a good grasp of anatomy you'll be fine.

[curious_george]

Agree with the two posts above - I find it so difficult following the routine we were given exactly! If a certain movement feels really good to the recipient, I want to do that move a few more times. It's not that I can't concentrate on what I'm doing, I do... but sometimes it becomes like a meditation and I just get a bit lost in the flow of the movements.

[fozzyo]

And following a routine gets really boring really quickly. For me there is nothing worse then receiving a massage by numbers.

Mat