Making a client relax

[PollyLove]

I recently heard there is a pressure point you can use to make a client relax...I have a client that is like a fish out of water on my table. Does anyone know of this area? I had heard it was located by the ankle area?

 

[Prav]

Making a client relax

I have used light verticle rubbing on the lateral (outside) edge of the big toe between the DIP and PIP joints to encourage rest and relaxation. I picked this move up somewhere along the way, and it seems to work nicely.

I don't use it often, because I don't do a lot of relaxation work, but when I need it, I do pull this trick out of the bag.

I don't know what it's significance is in the reflexology realm, but I figure there is one... or my clients wouldn't start breathing so heavy when I do it.

 

[packard1963]

Making a client relax

I know this is an old post, but I had a suggestion. Lymphatic Drainage massage will relax ANYONE! I have clients who just won't stop talking, wiggling, and squirming, but Lymphatic drainage works every time. It is a CE, but well worth it. I has a ton of other benefits, too. I frequently start by working on someone's face when they are that way - it's almost like they are hyperactive on the table sometimes! ha ha ha

I also have a client who basically feels like she is in "fight or flight" state every minute, and lymphatic drainage helped her relax more than anything else I had ever done for her.

As far as reflexology, there are points on the ears, hands, and feet relax, too. Try working the adrenals, for example (get a reflexology chart if you don't know where the points are, they aren't expensive). The points on the toes where Peuppi mentioned reflects the jaws and face, if I'm understanding where she is working. Which of course makes sense, since someone who is stressed is often a teeth-grinder and talks constantly. Working the jaws themselves (especially the masseters) is very relaxing, too.

I have to say, I'm not opposed to people talking, as long as they DO relax, too.

 

[Mehul]

Making a client relax

I don't think we can "make" a client relax without pharmaceuticals or applying a skillful choke hold. :twisted: However, I have found a few simple techniques to be helpful in a massage session:

Cradle their head, cue them to inhale deeply, hold, and exhale. Repeat 1-3 times as needed. This does it for most of my clients.

For the ones who keep their eyes open, start them prone. Use long, slow strokes in a smooth, hypnotic rhythm. Works great for most, even the talkers.

Overall, the best thing I can recommend is to simply SLOW DOWN. Many MTs (from what I've experienced) tend to move far too quickly, trying to do many strokes in their efforts to relax the client. Instead, do just a few slow strokes and let the client's body calm itself down. I've spent 80 minutes on just 4 strokes, and my client was zoned out in relaxed bliss most of that time. You don't have to make your strokes last 20 minutes each, but 10-30 seconds is reasonable.

If you do scalp massage, DON'T SCRUB. Fast work on the head is never relaxing and frequently annoying.

 

[Cassandra G]

Making a client relax

I've spent 80 minutes on just 4 strokes, and my client was zoned out in relaxed bliss most of that time.

Jason,

This most definitely would be a "Massage Pearl"!!! When you find time to dissect that into something that we can learn from.... would you post it?

I'd be interested in how you are able to make one stroke last 20 mins. The best I've ever been able to do is 3 mins.... on a back stroke.

Of course, I am not counting something similar to a lomi lomi stroke that includes leg, back, arm and through the cycle again (which I can make last longer, but still not 20 mins.) ... so, maybe this is what you are talking about?

Let me know!!!!! I want to work on this!