Stretching

[That DIFFERENT Teacher]

I was wondering if anyone does stretching in there massage routine?  I use it and the clients love it.  I learned it in class and they told us that not allot of schools teach this method.  I was wondering if this is true?Before I went to school for massage, I had about three massages from other therapists, and they did not do this.I usually ask first if they would like to be stretched. When I massage the legs I do about about four different stretches.  The arms about the same. Then, at the end I do a full body neck stretch.  You defiantly need to know how to drape for these stretches!   Thanks!

 

[deonejuan]

Stretching

Yes definitely have done this with some of my clients. I used to not ask them if they wanted it as part of their session and most of them were thrilled that I had included that as part of the therapy.Nowadays, I ask more whilst in the middle of the session. I do this because it's difficult to do everything I want to do within an hour and still feel like they rec'd somewhat of a "full" body massage.I definitely include it when I perform 1.5 to 2-hour massages. It's just more difficult to add in on shorter sessions. Now when I am performing sports massage, about 50-75% of the session involves stretching of the client's appendages.Be well,Jen

 

[ITS A GIRL]

Stretching

I do arm stretches when my clients are on their stomach. Stretch the arm down by the side, stretch and massage upper trap. Then stretch out to the side, then stretch arm up by the head. Sometimes I stretch the legs if the client need it but I usually just advise them on what they should do to stretch legs themselves. I stretch the neck and pecs too.

 

[Maryshaye]

Thanks for your replies.  I do mostly stretching for the glutes, all the leg musles, and paraformus.  (cant spell that!) It does take up a little time, but I add it to my hour session.  I do a set of four stretchs.A leg stretch where I hold onto the bottom of the leg and foot to give a full leg stretch. (this is the normal stretch)The secound is I take the leg, and bend the knee to chest, tell the client to take a deep breath, then when they exhale, I slowly push the leg to there chest. Third I have there leg completely stretched out in a vertical angle...and repeat the same process...Finally, I move the leg into a "half indian style form" leg bent to the side the other stretched out.  I take the knee across the lower body (so they are halfway on there one side) and stretch. This stretches the paraformus, gluts, and lower back.   This stretch is difficult to explain written down.  LOL Its great to have someone stretch for you. You can make the client more flexible, the muscles loose,  and the whole body in balance.  Sometime I notice that one side of someones body is tight, and the other is loose.  This seems to help, since sometimes people dont stretch enough at home, or dont know how.  (my boyfriend didnt!  )

 

[Alexandra Solano]

I incorporate stretches in every massage. There's one you might think about; tractioning the hip. When the recipient is face up on the table (don't do this with them face down), I start by doing a brief passive hold just above the knee, one hand below, one hand above.  This allows them to relax with my hands in that position. Then I slowly raise the knee up off the table and pull gently toward the foot of the table. This can be really helpful for opening the hip joint, and possibly freeing up the s.i.I almost always do neck traction; pretty much everyone I see has "computer neck", and LOVES it!  

 

[Billieann]

The hip stretch mentioned above sounds amazing!As a client, I think that stretching REALLY helps to ease tension, especially in my joints.  My favorite therapist uses arm & leg stretches often, and I can definitely feel a difference in mobility afterward.  I feel much more 'open' after getting stretched, even more so than I do when I try to stretch myself.I also love the passive stretches I receive sometimes when prone - the therapist places one hand on my right shoulder and the other on my left hip and gently applies pressure to stretch my back that way, and vice versa.  The first thing I noticed about stretching as part of a massage is that if you DON'T get stretched, then it's really noticeable.  A massage I got lately involved a ton of arm massage, but I could feel a certain tension in my shoulder that I knew had been relieved before with gentle arm-pulls downward and outward.  If I hadn't been so massage-drunk by then, I might have asked to get a tug there, but oh well.   ;D

 

[Miss Samantha]

Stretching

I use stretching as much as I need to. A lot of people like it and it does give my hands a nice rest from working them too hard.

 

[Pompal 09.]

Here's a stretch our instuctor casually mentioned and fortunately I remembered.  Everyone has loved it so far. While the client is supine, tell them, "I am going to lift your head up, and bring your chin to your chest, and when it becomes uncomfortable, do a thumbs up to signal me to stop."  Cradle their head in your hands, and slowly lift their head.   Tell them to totally relax and make their head heavy.  Many, dare I say, most, clients want to help lift their head, going both up and down.  It's a reflex and most people have to consciously make themselves NOT help.  So you need to go slowly and stop when you feel them helping.  Some people give the thumbs up soon, others are much more flexible than you'd expect.  When you get to their limit, hold it (I count to myself to about "7"), then slowly let the head down about 1/4 -1/3 of the way, then bring it back up and repeat.  Then slowly bring head to table, ask client to press their head down, pressing your hands into the table, then release.  This is a great stretch for the neck and back, and don't we all need that?!

 

[Masrya Tool El 3omr <3]

Stretching

We've been learning a lot of body mobilization techniques (which I now try to incorporate in a FB SM) and we are now learning some passive tension (stretches). I can understand and appreciate the importance of the passive tension exercises and will probably try to incorporate them into an average session, but they are more difficult and time consuming and will probably be more appropriate for a localized massage or one that is longer than an hour.But...I still love them - and once again: it's just one more tool in my tool box. ;D

 

[Subhas]

I loved this topic and all the suggestions from everyone who has replied!  Thanks to all!I use stretching in almost all sessions, and give stretch handouts with homework to almost every client!  When a client is not seeing the progress they want in ROM, I ask if they are doing their homework ------ and most admit not doing it.  When they "get it" that they can really help themselves, everybody "wins"!I am working with the chiropractor who refers lots of clients to develop good photos of the best stretches and hope to have that available soon to use for handouts.  Til then, I have make-do pictures and sketches to send home with them.  Any recommendations for the best stretch book you have seen?  I'd love to buy a really good one ---- but have been hesitant to buy one and find out it's mediocre!Am also working with my yoga teacher to practice some fo the yummy stuff in the thai massage modality ---- most of my clients couldn't begin to do the pure stuff, so we are attempting to adapt and modify for the flexibility challenged folks I usually see.Thanks for any input!Linda

 

[Teafico]

Stretching

I love stetches and stretching, most of the work we do is compression of the muscles. Its nice to balance this out with some great opening up work.I usually do stretches of the legs, arms, chest and neck. The neck is one of the most popular - opens up the spine and feels delicious.Foz xxx

 

[Amanda Lynn]

The first school I went to taught an Esalen-style massage that incorporated stretches into a 1-hour fullbody rlx routine.  I still use it years later.

 

[Tailight<3]

Stretching

Any recommendations for the best stretch book you have seen?  I'd love to buy a really good one ---- but have been hesitant to buy one and find out it's mediocre!

Linda

Aaron Mattes Active Isolated Stretching.

 

[Lady Silver Rose * Wolf]

Stretching

Thanks, nybor7 ----I'll look for the Mattes book today.BTW, one of my former instructors recommended the same book yesterday when I went for a CEU class.

 

[Bunz!]

thanks, aralia for the link to the site for Aaron Mattes.  I found a used copy of the earlier edition online, and hope it'll be here soon.  Can't wait to play with it!Linda in NC

 

[blesst_624]

We just finished learning PNF stretching at my massage school.  It was suggested that the PNF stretching be used with regular massage, especially with deep tissue massage.  After the class, I purchased a book that really helped me to better understand the stretches and reasons for using them.  It's called Facilitated Stretching  by Robert E. McAtee/Jeff Charland.  It's very useful.  

 

[Popcorn]

The "Facilitated Stretching" book by McAtee is quite good as is the book by Aaron Mattes.  Mattes' book is sometimes hard to find unless you order it online, but a great alternative is "The Wharton's Stretch Book" by Jim and Phil Wharton who use Mattes' AIS method.  For learning the whys and wherefores of stretching you really can't beat "Muscle Energy Techniques" by Leon Chaitow.I use PIR and AIS stretching in massage sessions when called for (which is frequently) and never get complaints....quite the contrary.  Clients are usually quite surprised at the results of these stretches during massage sessions and how great it feels.  They always ask for more since we get more results than their static stretching home routines.Ben Crabtree, RMT, CNMTSan Antonio, Texaswww.massagebyben.com

 

[Jen[Chocolate Burn]]

Stretching

Hi Guys,Great thread!Has anyone come across a stretch to put infraspin. and teres min. (shoulder ext. rotators) under stretch during treatment?cheers

 

[Crimson Moth]

Stretching

Has anyone come across a stretch to put infraspin. and teres min. (shoulder ext. rotators) under stretch during treatment?

Internal rotation, hand/arm behind the back.

 

[Justice]

Stretching

Teres M and Infra.

http://www.exrx.net/Stretches/Infraspinatus/SideLying.html

http://www.exrx.net/Stretches/Infraspinatus/SeatedBentover.html

http://www.exrx.net/Stretches/Infraspinatus/Bentover.html

http://www.exrx.net/Stretches/Infraspinatus/Broomstick.html