specially for british therapists...what procedure do use for a back massage? I've been taugh to always start and finish with eflurage, then do petrisage, cupping,picking up, but got told today i was doing it in the wrong order. Can anyone help?

hello

who told you that you are doing the movements in the wrong order

bear in mind that everyone is taught a slightly different routine often with slightly different moves

as far as i know there is no specific order in which to do massage, we were taught to start and end with effleurage because it's a soothing movement other than that as long as the massage is flowing and relaxing it doesn't matter. i'm thinking that maybe you were told to do it in that order by your teacher to help you remember the moves when you were learning massage.

xx

thanks geeks, was a client who said her other lady did it in a different order, Wondered if i'd got sommat wrong but i dont think so

Every therapist does their massage slightly differently so don't let it worry youxxxxxxxxxx

Im no big fan of massage but yes every therapsit does their own routine, starting with effleurage and ending with effleurage (we were also taught to do light but firm strokes to finish the massage with).

Its always worth getting a massage done from another therapist so you can pick up tips on what feels good so you can include it in your routine.

Every therapist does it differently but effleurage should always start the massage off.

Effleurage is used to introduce the medium and hands to the client.It links different moves together.

I still pretty much follow my routine that I was taught but I adapt it to suit each client,i.e if I have a lady with tension around the scapula and trapezius I will work on that area for longer.

Massage is one of my favourite treatments and I do lots of them in the salon,sometimes up to 4 in a day.I love reading up on different moves and have been to a couple of seminars giving examples of different movements.

It's good to have a routine of some sorts as this insures that no muscle gets left out of the massage but really there are no hard and fast rules other then efflerage starting the massage,your tapotement can be put in any order that you want however I usually do it at the end of my massage as it could be pretty unrelaxing if you did it halfway through,then I finish with more effleurage.HTH

Yes as other people have said, everyone does it slightly differently. To be honest it would be very boring if everyone did the same! As long as the basic movements are the same it shouldn't matter what order they are done in (as long as you start, finish and link with effleurage).

You are right by saying that it is correct to start and end a massage with effleurage movements. I'd hate someone to start with petrissage and tapping movments on my back!

No massage treatment should be the same for each client. I think when we start out at college, this is exactly what we do. However, when we gain confidence and through consultation, we know what individual clients want.

Its all common sense, so stick to what you know and dont go starting any massages with cupping, hacking or other such movments!

I went back to college for a year last year and trained as a massage therapist and it's mainly what I do.

No two massages I do are the same except they start and end with effleurage, every client is different and has different needs so it would be a waste of their money and time if I did the same thing on everyone.

I've also had loads of massages and no two have ever been the same, it's a great way to get new moves

I do start and finish with effleurage but at the end do very light strokes over the back.
there are loads of movements but sometimes wish i knew more...is there any good books that anyone know with lots of movements?

Here are some good books Body Massage Therapy Basics by Mo Rosser,Swedish massage,demonstrating methods by Victoria Sprigg then there is a DVD called the Complete Guide to Massage by Susan Mumford.

Try going to some of the seminars at the beauty shows,you can pick up loads of movements and tips including making sure you're stance is correct and that you protect yourself against RSI.
Just wanted to add that effleurage is stroking.HTH

Hiya.
I can only agree with everyone else. Every massage is different, according to the clients needs. It should always be adapted to suit the client. Always begining and ending with effleurage.
xx