Muscle release 101 for Massage therapists and Massage therapy students

The next series of blogs I write will be about the release of muscle tissue. The trapezius, a complex group of three parts,that elevate, upward rotate, retract, and depresses the scapula. The upper bands of trapezius also work with the head and neck to laterally flex and contra laterally rotate. So let's get started!

The client will be prone on the massage table and start the palpation's just lateral of T12. You are working in the lower trapezius, it depresses and upward rotates. Depending how tight the trapezius is on your client, I simply figure that there has to be "motion to release" meaning let's get the client to participate to get the "max" out of the muscle. Resist the elevation of the arm at 90 degrees( like a T)( like they are flying!), ask for 10 percent of their effort and start palpating lateral of T12. Do this in a series or "sets", resist and palpate, relax and test,resist and palpate, etc..

The next part will be just medial of the scapula. The middle trapezius is a re tractor, so we are gonna ask the client to also " retract or bring the scapula close to the spine" WHILE the shoulder is elevated( arm is abducted, like before). Palpate medial of the scapula, resist and palpate, relax and test,etc...

The last part of the trapezius to palpate will be the upper trapezius. This work may be the one that will need some patience. The belly of this part, on top of the shoulder, can be released by again resisting the elevated shoulder( arm abducted) and palpating at the same time. As you move toward the neck, ask the client to extend the head slightly. The patch of muscle there at the base of the neck/shoulder or C7 to T2 will benefit from that work.

I hope this helps you in your massage therapy practice!

Benefits of Massage Therapy

I want to talk about the benefits of massage therapy for the people who are interested but are concern about personal boundaries, pressure of the massage, gender issues,and maybe myths from word of mouth.
Stress today is controlling our way of life. Job, time on our hands, family, money,etc you name it, stress is everywhere. I see all of the time with 1st time clients, it's not hard to see. The "elevation" of life can be controlled by some good old Swedish massage techniques!
Here's my list of "qualifications" I feel future clients of massage therapy should know:

1) " Your body is a temple" You are in control in the session! Relaxing massage techniques are different than deep tissue. If the therapist does some out of the ordinary, Respond!

2) " What feels good should not feel bad" Even deep pressure done correctly is noninvasive.

3) " Don't buy the first, try them all out!" Just because your best friend recommends a therapist, doesn't mean it will work for you. The gender of the therapist, the comfort, the knowledge, take these to heart or just work with a group of therapists that fit your needs!

4) " Knowledge is powerful" Specific issues need specific techniques, search out therapists with specific advanced techniques for you.

These are a few considerations to consider when you decide to get that first massage.I hope this is helpful to you!