Tough massage!!

[Hana Sakura]

Hi allAnybody worked on any clients that are really hard work?  I had a client today who was 6ft 2" or so, big solid guy, & a bit like massaging a brick!  Really tight, compact tissue with no give in it at all.  I'm strong but only 5 ft.  He said he'd like to come back on a regular basis.  Crikey  Anyone want to share what techniques they would use in this sort of situation?ThanksLindy

 

[Altrissa]

l o w e r  the table, as low as you can stand it.Use very little lubricant, you can get a better grip on tissue and fascia, and your hands will not have to work so hard.Rock him! Rocking induces a dreamy state, and people almost always liquefy, maybe they get back to that womb-state?Try some tibetan singing bowls music too.Jill

 

[verscharren]

Tough massage!!

'l o w e r the table, as low as you can stand it'.

Thanks Jill

Can't lower the table-it's not height adjustable.  I've already cut the legs down to suit me & it's fine when working on most people.  Wouldn't mind an electric/hydraulic table though.

Lindy

 

[brainlady]

Lindy,Somewhere on the boards is a suggestion to get a step (like used for exercising) to increase your height if the table is as low as it will go.As far as his brick like tissues, perhaps using broad contact compression would help get to the deeper tissues without wrecking your hands.  For my thicker skinned clients I do more BCC and also will use my forearms alot more particularly on the legs.  Lots of slow deep gliding with my forearm after I've warmed the tissue effleurage.  And doing passive joint movements and stretching would also help get to the deeper tissues without wearing you out. But you must have done a good job if he wants to come back regularly!

 

[Help]

Tough massage!!

Elbows and forearms! And working sssslllllloooooowwwwwwllllllyyyyy.

 

[Camilla Rhodes]

I will third the use of your forearms and "slow" recommendations. Myofascial Release work starting at the sacrum and working upwards toward the shoulders might also help.Any chance you have a "Thumper Mini Pro"?  That would also help to loosen him up initially which can save your hands.

 

[Gray Wanderer]

Tough massage!!

Any chance you have a "Thumper Mini Pro"?  That would also help to loosen him up initially which can save your hands.

mini thumpers are great for people that have this kind of tissue.

you can also begin with a few minutes of compressions over the sheet.

hot packs may help loosen him up too.

 

[Abso88]

Tough massage!!

Prossage Heat has done well for me working on several Marine Corps atheletes. They are massive knots of tight muscle, and can be a nightmare to work on. I use some rocking, it sounds like maybe I could use more. Great thread!!!

 

[Lone Wolf]

These are all great suggestions!I also agree with the use of forearms and slower movements. I once used a roller-like tool that was great for working on larger legs.  Can't remember where I got it and I don't know where it is now, but it helped.

 

[karatoto74]

Tough massage!!

This is exactly why I got interested in Cupping Massage. I have many clients that are like BRICK WALLS when they first come in. I am truly getting faster warm-up & softening results with 10 minutes of cupping. Like the rocking, it sedates the body, which helps alot too.(sometimes too many of these a week gets me worrying about my longevity as an MT!)Jill/Sagetherapist

 

[rach rach]

AWESOME information to hear from everyone.Thanks for all the GREAT advice.  I was thinking of getting both the Thumper Mini Pro and the Prossage Heat Gel.  Sounds like I should.I have a husband who is very much like you are describing, as well as 60% of my clients. :-*

 

[Lindsay]

Tough massage!!

These are all great suggestions. After doing a very slow myofascial release down the back to the iliac crests, have a your client slowly inhale deeply three times from the diaphragm while you apply palmar compression bilaterally to the iliac crests.I love myo work and this is especially helpful in loosening up the layers. Just remember to take your time. You might want to heat pack the lower back while you myo the upper.

 

[Lady Bug]

There is a regular client who comes into the school clinic who has solid muscle mass all over his body.  His comment to me when I worked on him was "just do the best you can, you can't dent them".  So, I just did the best I could while we talked most of the time; he's quite a chatterer.  Well, one of my other classmates worked on him and told the rest of the class that all she had to do was advise him to breath deeply several times and he just melted under her touch.  So, since then, any time I seem to be having trouble getting someone to relax on the table or get them to stop talking, I advise them to take a few deep breaths, and that usually does the trick for both.

 

[doktor smudge]

That type of armoring is a challenge, isn't it?  Paradoxically, a lighter touch is sometimes just what is needed, rather than trying to force the releases.  Hence the suggestions for myofascial release.I've been using the Icyballs heated in the stone cooker with good results for such folks.  A little bit of oil helps them glide (one in each hand, or one held in both hands.  I give folks with heavy armoring a tennis ball sock tool to take home and use twice a day, and some stretches for homework.  It is so cool when the day comes that we can actually see and palpate the edge of the scapula, etc.Patience, grasshopper ------- your client didn't get that way overnight, and there may be very good reasons why that armoring is an adaptive response by his body.  Don't get into the psychological or symbolic stuff with him unless you have the training ----- but just know for yourself that the armor serves a purpose you may not yet understand.Be sure that armored clients are getting enough water consumption.  Yet another possible explanation ---- dehydrated tissues!The fun part of MT for me is the learning experience, and the detective work that it involves to figure out the perpetuating factors going on with each client and what works best to help this particular client.Have fun, and don't wear yourself out!  You'll help more when you remember that the best bodywork is not something you do TO a client, but is something you and the client experience together.We invite the healing, we don't cause it!Linda B. in NC

 

[gammy]

Prossage heat gel is awesome and you truly only need 2, yep 2!!!! drops for a decent sized area- such as the entire shoulder when the client is prone.  I apply, approach slowly, effleurage, petrissage,knead, pinch, roll, etc. until adhesions ease (or better yet, disappear, yay!) and then the muscle melts from kneading.  I then leave the area and go back in a while.  Prossage is made for spot treatments, not for full massage.  I just started using it in the last two weeks and both me and one of the chiro's LOVE IT!!

 

[kittyluvrs18]

Linda B, I have a question what is Icy balls I haven't  heard of these before. Also, Jill/Sagetherapist I've read about cupping and it looks painful!  Is it? I have this type of client all the time and I am used to giving a deep massage. I usually come out of the room with back just soaked.  I do use my elbows, forearms and yes, my thumbs.  Thanks for the great info Trish

 

[ddrum]

Great suggestions!  Myofascial glides using your elbow/forearms up and down the erectors - slowly - the tissue has to warm up to allow movement.  Water! Very good point.  I have also found that there are a couple of Tuina (Chinese Massage) techniques that work really well and are not so taxing.  Simple compressions all along the erectors and iliac.  Work SLOWLY with this.  But you can use lots of pressure - let gravity be your friend in this case!  Rolling is another Tuina technique.  When done right it feels like a rolling pin is being used to roll out pie dough!  You use the edge of your palm and just roll it back and forth as you glide along the muscles.  (The action comes from your shoulder, not your wrist).  Again, it works real well along the erectors.  This can be done with clothes on, or through a towel, same as with the compressions.  But remember always, if its not comfortable for you, then its not comfortable for the client either!

 

[salsa]

Tough massage!!

Been reading these responses & tips (all so great!), and have a thought. When I was first a massage therapist in Nevada, I had a client who had rec'd the title of Mr. Ohio in bodybuilding. He was a mass of huge muscles, but they were as soft as butter on the massage table! I truly think the armor is a connective tissue malfunction or maladie. That's why I love Cupping. (Please don't think I am trying to hard-sell it to you guys... I am just in love with it right now). *Trish asked if it is painful - nope, unless you are too aggressive with the amt of vacuum you use. Its easy to adjust with the plastic cup set I have. They each have a pressure valve on the top.I have Prossage and something from Lotus Touch called Extra Hot something or other (Maestra, help!). They are okay. For some reason my clients fall all over themselves about Sombra & Biofreeze. Jon_O, do you do this rolling motion with the heel of your hand/palm or how? (I was visualizing a rolling & kneading motion with the heel of the hand - near pisiform bone. ?) I do a few MFR and Tui Na techniques; always incorporate skin rolling, but can never lift the skin well until AFTER a great deal of work.I was going to buy those Icy Balls once upon a time, but my enthusiasm waned. Am I missing out on something great?Jill/Sagetherapist

 

[julie(:]

Jill;Your hand is on them like you just did a karate chop and left it in contact.  You are using your hypo thenar emminance.  When you get good at it your whole hand (ant and post palm) will make contact as you roll your hand back and forth, almost a flopping motion.  I have found that the Tuina work is great as a demo at trade shows and such.  Using the accupressure points, compressions, rolling and scrubbing techniques can leave a person very well relaxed over just 10 minutes of treatment.  And they didn't even have to get undressed!

 

[AntwonKeepinItReal]

Tough massage!!

Thanks Jon_O!Cool.Jill/Sagetherapist