How High on the Thigh

RE: How High on the Thigh

Hi Scorpio

I think that the answer to this question depends on whether you are having a general massage (which may be described as ‘Swedish’ or ‘holistic’ by some therapists); or a sports massage from someone who has a sports or remedial massage qualification.

As far as general massage is concerned, my impression is that most tutors would not teach students to massage the pectineus. The book ‘The Massage Manual’ by Fiona Harrold (founder of the London College of Massage) simply states

“avoid working too far up into the inner thigh”.

However if you have tension in the pectineus (or indeed in any of the adductor origins) then a therapist who has done a remedial massage course with an institution such as the London School of Sports Massage or the Northern Institute of Massage should certainly be willing to treat it: problems in this area are quite common among footballers and runners. There is a very good illustration of how to treat the pectineus (and other adductor origins) in the book ‘Basic Clinical Massage Therapy’ by Clay & Pounds.

Regards

Alan

RE: How High on the Thigh

we teach to get as close to the muscle origins as possible, useful in treating groin strains, especially in footballers.

RE: How High on the Thigh

I tend to work as high as possible to origins, but do warn of this in advance and explain the reasons why. I haven't had anyone yet tell me they didn't want me to treat.
another way to explain it is to use the client 's hand to show them how far you intend to work.
regards
gaz

RE: How High on the Thigh

This will likely stir the fires..........nothing like a bit of controversy to keep the forum interesting;

I will toss in on this because I have a bit of a "hot button" on this subject and because I failed to make my intended point in this particular regard in my post "Towel, Sheet, Naked, Erections....." etc.

My conviction is that if one is to provide a massage of all the muscles and tendons of the client's body, that pretty much means ALL of them. If one is giving a foot massage or a head massage....need I continue? I believe that if the CLIENT is comfortable - for example - allowing the practitioner to massage the upper leg tendons ALL THE WAY, that the fact that doing this may mean one's hands approach the vacinity of the client's genital area should NOT be a reason to stop short. This is easily done while still covering the genitals, and doing so does not magically transform the session into something sexual, even if one should "bump" into a private bit (through the cover of course) on occassion in the process.

I am very much aware of the traditional teachings about "how far" a practitioner should go in this regard.......and, to put it in a very American way, most of it is academic bullshit that does not reflect the real world of the massage business. I have had plenty of massage sessions by massage students, recent massage graduates and those not very experienced since their training. Some omit touching all of the muscles and tendons because that is what they were taught was "proper", some because that is the limit of their personal comfort level. In either case, the massage is incomplete and of questionable value for the money the client spends.

I respect those that teach massage, but on this specific subject, they are doing the student a great disservice, not to mention the negative impact on the client's. This is not unlike the fact that one that has taken driver training does not eventually continue to drive exactly like they were taught.

These timid sessions will absolutely result in a considerable amount of loss of potential repeat business, but that is not the most compelling reason for doing it correctly. The reason to give a proper massage is that doing so is what a PROFESSIONAL is paid to do. I think that all those that can't bring themselves to do it correctly should switch to giving facials.

One is either a PROFESSIONAL or has no business being in this business.

Just my opinion................and foder for the members I'm quite sure.

RE: How High on the Thigh

The amount of pressure involved at the origins and insertions to sort out dysfunctions would be hard to interpret wrongly, it is a good idea to explain what you need to do and get consent before you do it to avoid any misunderstandings.

RE: How High on the Thigh

Hi High I see most of us males have an answer for which I concur most of our clinents have hands they can cover they genitalailer whilst the masseurs opporate in this area as indeed the atachments need to be massaged as do the muscles lets hear from some of the females out there as Iwould not want a onesided objective. Lionheart.

RE: How High on the Thigh

a great book is Trail Guide to the Body, its shows great palpation and hand placement's.

RE: How High on the Thigh

I work in football, and find that you have to work deep into the groin to get the best treatment of groin strain.

I agree that the Trail Guide is a good book too!

Also on the subject of working intimate areas, the rectus abdominis trigger point is usually affected in groin strains, and you really have to watch your hands there!

RE: How High on the Thigh

I hurt, what I think is my pectineus, a couple weeks ago. The massage therapists at my chiropractor I always told to work on my hamstrings, but they never got the right spot. The injury was kind of on my inner hamstring, almost between my hamstrings and quads. I was embarrassed to say anything.

Fortunately, one therapist massaged this area perhaps by accident, and said it was extremely tight. When she touched it, pain shot out from the inside to the outside of my leg. When my leg was bent, it didn't hurt that much, but when it wasstraight the pain lingered.Massaging it with me on my stomachdid little good, as there was too much tension. Then she turned me over, and had me on my back, and was able to access the area much more from the quad area. That area gave more cushion and was more relaxed, and she probably took 50% of the pain away in just a few minutes.

I don't mind getting the area worked, but I am embarrassed to ask a therapist to work it, for fear they will somehow label me a red flag person or something...when in reality, I have a legit sports injury that needs treatment.

RE: How High on the Thigh

None of the female therapists on this forum replied to Lionheart's request for a female viewpoint, but one therapist (Wand) has commented on a separate thread

" When I did my massage training we were 'warned' quite strongly about 'avoiding the boxer short area' ..."

I still think that the answer is to look for a therapist (whether male or female) who has a qualification in sports or remedial massage, or who has trained at an institution such as the London College of Massage, rather than to look for therapists who only have a basic ITEC/VTCT qualification.

Alan

RE: How High on the Thigh

I still think that the answer is to look for a therapist (whether male or female) who has a qualification in sports or remedial massage, or who has trained at an institution such as the London College of Massage, rather than to look for therapists who only have a basic ITEC/VTCT qualification.

I would definitely agree with the above. Often those who are trained in holistic/swedish massage are trained specifically not to treat injuries. They then have to learn that if someone presents with pain in an area whether or not it is an injury or whether it's just muscle tension causing the pain.

Lesley

RE: How High on the Thigh

Hi High I see most of us males have an answer for which I concur most of our clinents have hands they can cover they genitalailer whilst the masseurs opporate in this area as indeed the atachments need to be massaged as do the muscles lets hear from some of the females out there as Iwould not want a onesided objective. Lionheart.

I am new to the Massage industry, and regardless of “salon etiquette “, I am client led, and my massage techniques are working progress. I recently had a client with groin pain, so allowed him to remove his underwear. I was a little uncomfortable when his genitalia was exposed, but have since researched in how to drape effectively using the towel as a nappy. I feel as a therapist, I would like to cater for these type of requirements in a massage, so I remain teachable and as long as there is minimal exposure, then I feel comfortable massaging glutes and the groin. The benefits far outweigh the little hurdles.

I am new to the Massage industry, and regardless of “salon etiquette “, I am client led, and my massage techniques are working progress. I recently had a client with groin pain, so allowed him to remove his underwear. I was a little uncomfortable when his genitalia was exposed, but have since researched in how to drape effectively using the towel as a nappy. I feel as a therapist, I would like to cater for these type of requirements in a massage, so I remain teachable and as long as there is minimal exposure, then I feel comfortable massaging glutes and the groin. The benefits far outweigh the little hurdles.

you should do with what you feel comfortable,you don't have to follow exact same routines you were taught when training
same goes with covering up the client,go with what they want and what keeps you comfortable