I currently have level 3 qualifications in Reflexology, Indian Head Massage, Aromatherapy and Swedish Body Massage. The majority of my clients ask for back massages and I am looking for a new course that will extend my skills in this area.
Ideally, this will not involve energy work, will not be too demanding on my wrists and thumbs, and will not take too long to train (ideally 6 months maximum)
Any ideas? All suggestion welcome as always! 🙂
Hi LV
Me and colleague met up today to do a treatment swap. We both did Indonesian Massage at the Bodyharmonics Centre www.bodyharmonics.co.uk in 2007, and we were discussing how it was one of the best courses we have been on. It had no theory (as we had A&P) and it was pure massage for several days, which is such a relief. The techniques are way beyond the typical Sweden massage courses at colleges and did cover the back to a high level. It's usually runs once a year, but the training, practical exam and case studies can be done in a relatively (sp) short period of time.
Was it you that said about not covering the the thighs and buttocks in your training on another thread, if not sorry about that, but if so it's all on this course.
Best Wishes
RP
Hi RP, yep that was me. Thanks for taking time out to reply, I will go and investigate Indonesian massage I think!
I have done the same as you, I have also done Hot Stones, going to do Manual Lymphatic Drainage on 14th August (a course I won) and in September I am going to Sports Massage, a few to think about there too 🙂
If you're at all worried about your wrists and thumbs you might want to consider No Hand Massage. I was seriously having to consider giving up massage when I came across NH. It literally saved my career.
No Hands really appeal to me, I have several of Gerry Pyves books and he has a very interesting approach. I hope to book onto one of his courses next year.
You may be interested in trying the Emmett technique which is a muscle release system that can be used to release specific muscles either as a standalone technique or mixed in with your massage.
If you're not sure about committing to a full practitioner course you could do a one day course called Emm-Tech which teaches 12 very useful procedures in an 8 hour course. It is inteded for non-therapists mainly but is proving to be a useful taster for therapists too.
Emmett technique info can be seen on www.emmett-technique.co.uk if you're interested.
It's also extremely kind on the hands as it only used fingers and thumbs with light touch.
Kind regards
Judith
Hi Longvines,
I'd greatly recommend Hawaiian Lomi Lomi Nui Massage - a full body massage, where back technique is very simple to learn, but you have to practice it a lot to be able to do an excellant back massage using this technique. It is worth it though.
Also it is always worth massaging all the body- not only the back itself, it's worth making your clients aware of the fact, that all the body parts are connected to each other through the nervous systems and tissues - when you massage just the back itself - it may turn out the pain will come back too soon, because the points on e.g the legs, or the head that are connected to it - haven't been treated.
Hope this helps
Bea
🙂
Cheers for all the advice 🙂