Stress Reduction

I will tell you how to give a basic 'stress reduction' treatment that you can make you own, and change any way that you wish.  If you have a professional massage table, you'll have the client facing down, with their head in the face cradle.  You'll want to drape them from the lower back downward, with their feet on a long thin pillow to take the pressure off of their knees and lower back.  Always consider the temperature that your client is feeling.  Because they have more skin exposed, and they are lying still, they will have a tendency to be cooler than you will be.  So don't hesitate to use blankets when needed.

     Heat up your oil by either gently rubbing in between your palms, or heat slightly in a bottle warmer.  Stand at the top end of the table, facing your client.  Starting at the top of the back, massage the oil around the back to evenly distribute the oil.  This takes practice.  The idea is to lend a feeling of confidence to your client through your touch.  Make your movements solid... yet fluid, firm... yet caring.   If you have soft music playing, use the tempo to add harmony to the experience.  Which doesn't mean that you necessarily have to massage to the beat.  Just tie it into the movements, to add another dimension.  This is just another part of the rich non-verbal communication that takes place in a good massage treatment.

     Once the oil is distributed, start at the top of the neck and gently run your thumbs down the spine to the lower back.  Feel as you go, and be careful not to push too hard.  This area is tender at the beginning of the treatment, and if you're not careful, you'll lose the client's trust, and they will not be as apt to relax.   While still at the base of the spine, run both palms up the middle of both sides of the back, then out onto the arms on both sides at the same time, and then bring them back together in the middle, ending at the base of the scull.  Repeat this process a couple more times.  Now, after moving your position to the side of your client, cup your hands and do a slow, rhythmic drumming motion up and down the spine, across the shoulder area, and down the arms and back.  Next you can focus in between the shoulder blades, using gentle kneading motions with your thumbs, and alternating the two hands in a kneading motion in various areas.  Gently do circular motions with your thumbs up the soft tissue that surrounds each vertebra, beginning at the lower portion of the back.  Keep your motions fluid, and never remove your hands from your client.  Even if you need more massage oil, keep one hand remaining on the client at all times.  Glide your hands up to the top of the vertebra and move your own position to the other side of your client, and repeat the smooth, kneading motions that you just did on the other side.

     It's so important to invest yourself in what the client is feeling.  The more massage that you've had yourself the better.  The more able you are to 'feel' what you are doing, the better.  In other words, the more ability you have to put yourself in your client's place, the better treatment you'll be able to give.  You'll eventually come up with your own series of movements on the back, neck and shoulder area.  Since every body is different, you'll find that every massage will be slightly different, no matter how much you like to stick to a regular series of movements.

       To complete the back segment, position yourself at the top of the client again (like when you began), and do the same movement that you started with (the thumb to lower back, palms up to top of shoulder area, down the shoulders and back to the center).  Do this 3 times, very slowly.  End the segment with your hands going up the sides of the head, make a couple of slow circles, and gently grasp the hair and run your fingers gently through and out.  If you do it correctly, the client will not even be sure when you've let go of their hair.

     Remove the excess oil on the back in a way that feels great, and says to the client physically "We are finishing this part of the treatment, soon it's time to wind into the next".  Place a towel that has been soaking in warm water and the scent of your choice (Eucalyptus or Lavender would be nice choices).  Lay it down the spine and gently press with your hands (this feels really good).  Let it sit for about a half a minute, and wipe off the excess oil in firm, yet gently strokes.  Put a nice soft dry towel over the same area to collect any excess water and gently press.  Gently put one hand at the base of the neck, and the other at the base of the spine and hold for about a minute.  If you've done everything correctly, you should feel a gentle flowing current going down the spine and the client's breathing will be slow and relaxed.