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Or rather unknotted.
Now I know that when your massaging the back, the scapula in particular, you get to feel loads of knots, and that by using petrissage, friction, etc, your supposed to break them down, but in real terms what do you do?
I normally use a mixture of techniques, but dont really notice the areas of "disturbed" tissue getting any smaller (although the client feels much looser afterwards).
How long do you guys spend on this area, and what techniques do you use, thumb presses, press & rotate, elbows?
Ta.
TC
RE: Get Knotted....
Hiya TC
I use a combination of movements from courses such as Deep Tissue, Soft tissue release and Neuromuscular techniques....they all work well in combination and are worth doing post grad courses if you havent done so yet.... clients will notice a big difference if you start manipulating the muscles in that area just because we use them so much, another key area is the rotator cuff these can be quite painful in some people but the Soft tissue release works a treat there.
Sorry if that wasnt much help
Hugs
T
x
RE: Get Knotted....
Hi TC
You will notice a difference if you squeeze the muscles against the surrounding bone structures, you can usually hear them breaking down as well
RE: Get Knotted....
I spend a long time on such areas, getting feedback from the client as it can sometimes be very painful. I read a great book on trigger points and I suppose I use this technique along with the kind of thing TigerBee mentions. I search the area for any congestion and then start by stretching it along the width of the muscle fibres and then I start to go in gently with my thumb or elbow. If there is pain I hold back until it subsides and then go a little deeper holding each time and it seems to work well.
But here you I am going to give you a trade secret:
Neat Lavender oil on the really tricky spots should help. You can feel it literally 'melt' under your fingers. Myself and a fellow aromatherapist have been doing this for the past week and I have had very good success.
Don't say I never tell you ought!:D
RE: Get Knotted....
Big hugs and kisses to you all.
I knew I was in the right place, now I'm off to find my Lavender oil, and try it on myself.
(As a complete aside, I seem to be hooked on Melissa oil, I can't help myself having a whiff or two every day.. I'm not an essential oil junkie am I).
What are your favourite oils? (oh and why?)
RE: Get Knotted....
If you are hooked on Melissa then you probably need to get a very well paid job!!! Bloomin eck that stuff costs a fortune!:D
RE: Get Knotted....
I read a great book on trigger points
Candie - can you remember the name of this book?
Also I have a client with extremely reduced rotation in his right leg. Bending his leg straight up is no problem, neither is moving it to the side, but bending and rotating (as if doing the leg part of breast stroke) only produces about a 5 inch movement and he experiences pain in his groin.
I think this could be a problem with the gracillis - but with the pain in the groin how can I treat it without embarressing him too much (or me!!!)
[sm=scratchchin.gif]
any ideas??
Jules
RE: Get Knotted....
Hi Jules
You have to follow the inguinal ligament down into the groin where it joins onto the side of the pubic bone and you will find some very tight ligaments which need releasing, these can be accessed by sliding the pant down to the groin, but you should still be able to keep modesty intact by carefully sliding the side you working on to uncover enough to give you access.
Please do explain what you are doing and receive permission before doing this, you need to go in deeply and you should find one ore two areas which will be very tender but doing deep friction will release them, it should take about three treatments to bring about full movement again.
RE: Get Knotted....
great - thanks for the advice Paul. I will try that next time he visits me.
Jules [sm=1kis.gif]
RE: Get Knotted....
I don't know if it's the same book that book Candie mentioned but I'm reading one called "The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook: Your Self-Treatment Guide for Pain Relief" by Clair Davies.
It's got lots of detail about referred pain and the muscles which are likely to be triggers, also how to reach any specific muscle to treat the triggers.
The book lists the following possible trigger points for groin pain:
pectineus
adductor longus
adductor magnus
rectus abdominis
abdomnial obliques
psoas
intrapelvic muscles
Hope this helps.
RE: Get Knotted....
Hi again - it is 'Pain Erasure' The Bonnie Prudden Way.:D
RE: Get Knotted....
brilliant - thanks for those two books - I shall have a scour around the book shops and see which one (or both) that I fancy!
Jules
RE: Get Knotted....
You might have more luck buying on-line books like this.
either:
amazon.co.uk
bookbrain.co.uk
RE: Get Knotted....
Neat lavende oil? Tell me more, although I am not a qualified Aromatherapist, and I am not allowed to use Essential oils on any of my victims. I suffer from those nasty little nodules of tension across the scapula, and I can tell you they can be very painfull. My study buddy is coming over tonight, and I fully intend to get a nice back massage out of him, and as I already have the oil! Question is, how much do you apply? as I do know that too much will keep me awake all night. On the subject of oils, does any one know of an oil I can use in the bathroom? My daughter always waits till someone is about to arrive for massage, then uses the bathroom, not exactly welcoming if you get my drift. Fresh air sprays just don't seem to be up to the job, although striking a match in there is a lttle better. Can anyone help?
RE: Get Knotted....
OK Gladyse, it's time for me to confess!!... I'm the one normally accused in my household for not exactly leaving a fragrant aroma in the bathroom[sm=nuts.gif]
The best thing I have found is Lavender room spray from the national trust - It hides even the foulest fumes[:'(] (I can't believe I'm writing this!!!!)
Waywood
RE: Get Knotted....
Hello knobbly knees,
I use one or two drops neat on the problem areas, and of course there may be more than one area of problem! Yes, you are right, lavender in large doses can have the opposite effect and keep you awake. Just stick with one or two drops leave it to soak in a bit and then get to work on those difficult areas.
Re room fragrancers, the best one I think is lemon oil, it is great for freshening the room. Boy, she must be bad, I have got twin boys and they leave their mark, so all that about snails and puppy dog tails obviously doesn't apply in your case![:'(]
RE: Get Knotted....
thanks for that - I have already checked amazon.co.uk, ebay.co.uk and abebooks.co.uk - they only have them at full price though at the moment. With the amount of books I buy I always go for second hand when I can!
Will check bookbrain too though!
J xx:eek:
RE: Get Knotted....
Hi All..
My son came home last nite, saying he feels all knotted around his shoulders, (hes a brick layer) and I was wondering, if there was anything I could to to help him, I know nothing about massage... except do know what a knot is because I use to get them from sitting cockeyed typing on puter lol....
Love Flowerx
RE: Get Knotted....
Thanks Waywood, I have a growing respect for Lavender, It is so versatile.
I have been told it is great neat on burns or insect bites too, Thanks again.
RE: Get Knotted....
Thank you Candie, will give the Lavender a try and let you knowhow it went.
As for the bathroom problem, I will try the lemon too
I have one son and two daughters, only youngest daughter left at home now:(
and I have to say the girls are the worst by far[:'(] They will kill me if they ever read this. Think yourself lucky with your boys :DThanks again.