ITB knots

[cajunboy09]

You know how guys sit in a chair and cross their legs...ankle right above knee.   Well that's a piriformis stretch, but it pulls the itb a little too.  Have you checked the hip rotators or the glutes?

 

[Bag Full Of Questions]

Have her take a very warm bath in epsom salt before her sessions.  and if you have a microwave you can use bags of  grain for warmth during the session. (like the ones some people use on their necks.)  I have quite a few fibro patients and a mother-in-law who has it.  the bath and heat help.....deeper work helps even though it is more painful.  try using the heel of your hand more than your thumbs.  They get the work done without as much pain.  Plus add stretching to her massage and you stretch her. Start with her face up and easily and slowly stertch her hamstrings.  then while you have her stretched as far as she can but comfortably,  ask her to slightly press against you for 3 seconds.  you resist her pushing at this time. then ask her to relax again and you will then stretch her a little further.  repeat for about  3-4 times or until the release happens.  this is a PNF stretching technique I learned from a PT.  I hope my babbling has helped.Mel

 

[child of the sky]

How did it go?  

 

[Phoenix Trite]

It went very well.   My client was pleased with the heel of hand and some forearm work instead of the thumb.  She also was happy to have additional stretches to try.  I did forget to do the PNF hamstring stretch while she was on the table but will add that next session. BTW, was the hamstring stretch with her knee bent and me pressing forward on her foot or her leg straight with her ankle on top of my shoulder? Thanks.I just went to an Intro workshop on Tai Chi for Massage Therapist yesterday and learned a great stretch for the iliopsoas called the "Kwa Stretch".  I'm looking forward to adding that one also.

 

[Duo Seeker]

leg straight.   How does that Kwa Stretch go?   I have an extra lumbar vertebra and my illopsoas is always trying to act up on me.

 

[kaciedeb]

In Tai Chi, the Kwa is the area of power and is roughly between the hips and below the navel.  To do a Kwa stretch, the knees are slightly bent (not locked) and remain stationary. The feet are rooted to the ground. Put your hands at the crease of upper thigh and abdomen.  Sit back and down, like you were going to sit on a bench behind you.  Only go back and down an inch or so.  Your hands should feel the crease deepen.  Do this for 3 or 4 reps. once a day.  The stretch will also massage the ascending/descending colon and will help relieve constipation.

 

[Starry]

cool! thanks!  I bet that would help my pt. who has Crones?

 

[furball123]

Not sure about Crohn's.  I thought that had to do more with an urgency and inability to control it.  Who knows, maybe it  help...it's worth a try.