Jumpy Client

[the cool guy]

Hey Team,
I had a client recently that has had a few massages before but not regular massages. She told me before I started that she had a sensitive strip across her lower back that if I touched she would jump or flinch. I got close at times and she would flinch it even started to occur higher up her back as the massage went on. It didn't hurt it was just a sensitive area. I tried to very gently place my hands on her back when starting a new stroke but still she would jump.

Does anyone know why this would happen? Would it be some sort of emotional barrier?

 

[Paulo]

Hi Fluffy Towels

When you say sensitive, do you mean ticklish?

Rx

 

[Amanda M]

I have a sensitive area too but it's my old appendix scar, which is now 50 years old! During a massage (and in certain other situations IYKWIM!) it feels horrible if it is touched lightly - it's worse than ticklish, just unbearable. However if it it touched firmly then it's not so bad. Maybe your client has an old scar on her back? Other than that, I can only suggest you try a firmer touch as it may work on the same principle as being tickled.

xxx

 

[Karlee N]

Cirrus,
It was not ticklish or painful, she said it was a weird feeling. She hasn't had any trauma to that area either. I tried firm pressure as well as a light pressure but still she flinched.

 

[amomwpgn]

You can often desensitise an area if you work it for a while, firm to deep pressure is usually required as you have to switch of the nerves.

 

[injurylaw]

One of my son's has exactly the same response. I find the only thing that helps him is firm pressure and warmth in the area before I massage, say a heat pack or warmed towels. Otherwise I just do much less work on that part on the days when it is jumpy.

 

[Tikila]

Hi again

As already suggested maintaining a firm pressure helps to de-sensitise such nervous system responses.

Holistically speaking…..
Also be aware that as a therapist if you give this issue too much of your energy it can exacerbate the problem for the client. By this I mean if you are unsure around the area this then feeds the client's sensitivity to the area.

This is how I work:
Over-sensitive areas – (Ask the client if when they touch the area the same response occurs, may give you further insight.)
Work it as normal, do not avoid it, apply firmer pressure in that area, stay on the area for longer, this eventually re-trains the client's responses.

All the best

Rachel xXx

 

[Blondie.]

Hi all
as paul has said light pressure will tickle the client so I use firm pressure up and down the spinal muscle (the same way the fibers are lying) rather than using cross fiber friction.

Its not easy to do and initially wont feel relaxing for the client so its important to explain what is happening and why the muscles have reached this condition in the first place.Sometimes the client may even feel embarassed about the way they are responding.

This nervey/hypertonic condition is very prevelant in people who have to sit all day at their computors.The muscles become strained and fatigued but still wont relax ( a bit like a sprinter in the starting blocks permanetely waiting for the starting gun to go off. So when you begin your massage strokes = bang the muscles kick/jump) .If the condition has become chronic, the existance of fibrosed (crunchy) fibers will be much in evidence within the erector spini muscles. Switching off this jumping reaction and breaking down the fibrosed tissues (within client pain limits) is some of the most important work you can do as a massage therapist and for many clients it will offer the ability to achieve a huge improvement in depth of sleep.

Regards steve