Body Part - Lower Extremity - Techniques

[Daniel T]

Hi.

I envision a sticky for this thread in the future (and the other body part threads I'll start!), if this goes well.

We could utilize this sort of like the "Massage Pearls" thread. Anything you find interesting within the MassagePlanetL forums regarding a specific part body and the work surrounding it, could be parked in this thread. Obviously we may end up with some thoughts duplicated from the Massage Pearls, but who cares!!!! The more, the merrier!

In addition, if you'd just be interested in posting some neat techniques you do for this particular body part, that would be wonderful too!

Consider items like:

• Amount of time you generally spend on this body part.
• Amount of time you can spend on this body part.
• Techniques you may use to stretch out a massage while working this body part (example: you need to pass a few minutes to get back on track -- swedish therapists may really appreciate this info).
• How you incorporate other bodyparts at the same time when you are working this area (example: long strokes in working the hip with one hand and the posterior calf with the other -- in unison).
• Techniques for specific problems or patterns.
• Draping/loose draping/non-draping information - the why & why-nots associated with this area.
• Tell us something that just feels good!
• Types of lotions/oils you would use for the technique and why.
• How to perform deeper work or lighter work in the region.
• Case Study Examples from your practice.
• Bonus thoughts that you may have that would be helpful to new and old therapists alike!

Without further ado .... it's all about the lower extremity/legs!!!!

 

[execglenn]

Does this mean we will unsticky "cervical" "massage pearls" and "craniosacral?"

 

[OMG]

Oh, goodness, I certainly hope not!!!!!!!

 

[alicia m]

Position client sidelying. Use both hands with your fingers intertwined together, grasp the ITB with the heel of your palms. Work the entire length of it, "lifting" the ITB off of the leg. You will find that the more you work it, the higher you can pull it up. This is excellent for pregnancy also, especially if there are sciatic type complaints.

 

[lame]

Something someone did on me recently was to have me side-lying with my derriere close to the back edge of the table. My lower leg was flexed at hip and knee, and my upper leg was hyper-extended at the hip and hung off the back of the table. He worked the IT in that stretched position, giving me a ton of relief.

 

[kayreo]

I also found that if I plantar flex the clients foot (massaging the foot with client prone) too much - it can cramp. I make sure to support the foot a bit differently now and make sure the pillow (I use a pillow instead of a bolster) allows for the toes to hang off the edge.

 

[No.]

Blankets over the feet while supine can cause [leg]cramping.

 

[Tasha Posey]

Draping The Legs - draping question...