Back massage - how long for treatment?

An hour shoulders and back is no problem at all. I do this a lot and I actually prefer it to giving a full swedish (saves my back, had problems since a child).

This is my routine: 1/2 hour on each position.

Supine - decollette routine . Really taking time to work into the trapezius L&R then pay attention to the capitis and sterno muscles and I then work the top of the head too to help relieve tension if I have time.

Turn client to prone position and do your 1/2 hour back routine. I don't worry about turning a client, that's part of an hour massage IMO.

I find this routine is what my clients prefer rather than legs or arms. It allows me to work the upper body from two different angles, keeps the work in the area of need and gets me off my feet for 1/2 hour ( i sit at the end of the couch whilst they are in the supine position). You will be surprised how quickly you will run out of time especially when you are working trigger points etc.

Rx

Hiya Tracy
I can understand where your coming from. I have a client who books for a 2 hour massage and I really struggle with it because he doesnt like his feet, neck, face or arms massaged, so basically I'm left with only his back stomach front & back of legs to do. It's difficult to spread it out even using much slower movements.
I love doing the back so personally I wouldnt have a problem doing that area for an hour as I tend to do at least 35 mins there anyway. My suggestion is to look through some of your massage books and incorporate some of their movements which you dont already use.
If you have any trouble with this and you have MSN We could chat on there and I will talk you through some of my movements.

Tracy x

Hiya,
when someone books in for a massage I always offer them a choice of an extended back massage or a full body - most opt for the back.
I only massage the back, I don't turn them over at all. So client lying on tummy and:
start with some gently pressing over back through towel (hands free technique).
apply oil.
figure of 8's approx 6-8 times.
1/4 back and do window cleaning, back and forth and wringing.
then hands free over trapezius and lower back.
stand at clients head and knuckle into trapezius.
stand to side and wring shoulder, spend time working out tension in shoulder, neck, trapezius.
neck work. could go into a little bit of scalp work too.
stand at head, figure of 8's incorporating tops of arms.
go to lower back and wring over lower back, knuckle around sacrum
stand centre, and stretch muscles in various patterns.
spinal work.
figs 8
slide down back decreasing pressure.
cover with towel and healing movements by sliding hands down full length of body.

this takes care of 55 minutes no sweat.

I understand that some of the movements are advanced, but if you enrol on a 1 day hands-free course, it will give you more ideas.

Hi
thanks for all the replies!

Cirrus - your massage sounds bliss, I need to sort my back out first before I can attempt a back massage for an hour! Really interesting to read about the techniques that you do.

Tracy - I might even have a look on the internet, sure there is something on YouTube so that I can incorporate extra movements into the routine.

Daisychain - handsfree sounds interesting, however I live in Grimsby, which is at the end of the world and no courses run in this area. Have never heard of figure of 8 and window cleaning, but sounds common sense, so may give it a go on the hubby.

Actually the hubby make be in some luck this weekend when I use him as a guinea pig - will need to get all the sequences spot on!

Hi Daisy

Your routine is astoundingly similar to mine...and I made it up from a variety of courses I did.

Patchouli

he! he! so I'm not mental then!!! Its just what I've borrowed from various treatments and it suits me. Glad that it works for someone else too.

Hey Daisy
Thats a great idea for a new thread!! More of us should write down what our back routines are so others can learn from them or incorporate a movement which they dont already use.

Isnt it funny some of the names we come up with to describe some of our techniques lol.

Innerpeace x

I agree with Inner peace, it would be good idea to put on a additional catergory to learn other back routines.

well I shall start it. I'll copy my routine and then you can all follow suit.

but, you have to find me........:rolleyes:

Great idea too. I'm glad I sparked the interest x

Hi Daisy

Your window cleaning technique- is this similar to ironing? I use reinforced ironing on the back. With the figure of 8, do you just use one hand? and the whole palm of the hand sweeping up or down the back?

Thanks

yes pemba, the window cleaning is re-inforced ironing, ie one hand on top of the other.

fig of 8 both hands follow the contours of the body.

whole palm then fingertips lightly sweep down full length of back. I start off firm and then gradually decrease the pressure until its just fingertips lightly teasing the back.

Hi daisy

I've tried a routine however only lasted 30 min, I think this was due to me doing it on the floor, so my movements were not continuous and flowing so will have to bring out the couch next time.

What kind of work do you do on the spine. I presume thumb friction, kneading etc.,

I think really I need to go for an hour long back massage myself to get some ideas!

hiya pemba,

I can do about 4 things around the spine. presses down one side then the next.
press and thumb slide (bottom thumb slides down the side of the spine about an inch then the top thumb follows.
fingertip circles (got this from baby massage) all 8 fingertips circle 4-6 times then move down to next position.

or start at the base of the spine, thumbs slide up the side of the spine about 3 inches, then place palms down and slide back to starting position, repeat action but go up 6 inches then slide back down, repeat this inching up the back until you achieve a full slide up the back and full sweep back down.