The World's Best Massage Techniques The Complete Illust

Shiatsu Sequence A

Although the essence of shiatsu combines B
diagnosis and therapy, you may use an effective
basic routine without an in-depth knowledge of
the theories and diagnostic techniques if you are
willing to focus and develop sensitivity to your
partner's energy. A general shiatsu sequence
lasting seventy-five minutes or so may enhance
well ness and assist recovery from illness by
positively stimulating the immune system and
natural healing abilities without diagnosing
and treating a specific problem. No lubricants
or scents are used in shiatsu, and music is
employed only if it does not interfere with the
coordination of breath and compressions.

1. PRESS POINTS ON THE FACE AND HEAD
With your partner lying supine on the mat,
sit or kneel at his head and place your fingers
on each side of the head. Use your thumbs to
press from the midpoint between his eyebrows
toward his hairline (about four to six compres-
sions, about a fingertip distance apart), leaning
gently into you r thumbs on each exhalation
(photo A). Then continue compressions to the
crown of his head (the bladder meridian).

Place your ind ex fingers on each side of the
bridge of his nose and press toward the bridge
(the eye brightener point). Then press with your
fingers from the medial eyebrows across his
brow to the point where his ear meets his face
(photo B) This small indentation at the sid e of
the face in front of the ear is useful for relieving
headaches. Using your fingers press from the
bridge of his nose along the bone below his
eye (b ladder meridian) toward his temples.

200 THE WORLD'S BEST MASSAGE TECHNIQUES

Starting with an index finger on either side of
his nose crease, press ju st below his cheekbone
on the liver and stomach meridians and out
to his ear (photo C) Immed iate ly below his
pupil along this lin e is a stomach point ca ll ed
Facial Beauty which is very useful for relieving
sinu s pain and congestion. Pause here for a few
breaths if that is an issue. End the thumbing at
the lateral face indentation in front of his ear
(noted earlie r) that may relieve headaches with
susta in ed (a few breaths) pressure.

Press one thumb or index finger in the area
between your partner's top li p and his nose
(photo D) on the point ca ll ed the Midd le of
a Person on the governing vessel meridian,
which is thought to relieve pain, revive con-
sciousness, and reduce fainting and d izziness.

Starting at the center of his chin, pinch along
his jaw line latera ll y to the lateral angle of his
jaw. When you arrive at the angle of his jaw,
compress o r provide friction at the masseter
muscle, addressing the Jaw Chariot point on
the stomach meridian, which may help w ith
stress, jaw and tooth pain, and TMJ problems.

Hope for

Homeostasis
Treating the body as
a whole with shiatsu
helps restore the optimal
nervous, circulatory,
glandular, and metabolic
system functions and
stimulates homeostasis,

D a harmony of mind and

body. The energetic bal-
ancing essence of shiatsu
promotes overall balance
of mind, body, and spirit,
with resultant well ness.

SHIATSU ACTIVATES ENERGY MERIDIANS 201

Stretch and Massage the Neck working all the way to the occiput. Place your I
Wit h one hand on your partner's occiput, fingers parallel to his spine. Gently lift your
stretch his neck to the left and compress his partner's head off the mat, tilt ing his ch in Warning!
right shoulder at the Shoulder We ll, a point on sli ghtly toward his chest wh ich stretches the Avoid Palming over
the gal lbladder meridian midway between the bladder meridian in the posterior neck. Hold- Rigid Contact Lenses
point of the shoulder and the neck, toward ing yo ur fingers on the occip ital ridge at
his feet (photo E). Hold for a few breaths and the base of his sku ll, lean back and create Be sure you know
repeat on the other side. length in his neck and bladder meridian. whether your partner
Rest the backs of you r hands on the mat and is wearing rigid contact
Rol l your fingers in a wave -like act ion up his make smal l circles just latera l to his sp ine, lense and have him
neck, starting at the base and lifting your moving up and down his neck from the remove them or avoid
fingers against the back of the neck, and then occipital rid ge to his shoulders, fo ll owing contact in this hold.
pull them toward you and repeat, gradua ll y the bladder meridian. Place both palms over
his eyes, resting gently,

w~hyourfinge~towa~

the bridge of his nose.
Hold for several breaths.
This is very restful for the
eyes and is especially
important if you notice
a lot of eye movement
under the lids.

Benefits of Shiatsu • Reduces PMS symptoms
• Improves sleep and reduces fatigue
• Provides deep muscle relaxation • Reduces muscle and joint pain
• Reduces osteoarthritis pain • Increases mental and spiritual
• Reduces stress and anxiety
• Releases toxins from the body awareness
• Provides general well ness through • Improves digestion
• Eases depression
energy (qi) balancing • Assists in recovery from injuries
• Increases flexibility • Provides general well-being and
• Improves blood and lymph
pleasure
circulation
• Reduces blood pressure

202 THE WORLD'S BEST MASSAGE TECHNIQUES

E

FG

2. COMPRESS THE SHOULDERS, CHEST, AND Return to his neck, which shou ld be softer and
ABDOMEN more relaxed, making it possible to compress
more deep ly. Use either finger presses or
Scoop your hands under your partner's shoul- circu lar friction to work from his shou lders to
ders, palms up, and press your arms down on the occipita l ridge (photo G), paus ing about
the mat, compress in g upward w ith your fingers 1 in ch (2.5 cm) before the ridge on the band of
between his spine and shoulder b lades. muscle just latera l to the spine; these points
Perform circu lar friction along the medial bor- reduce irritabi lity, fatigue, and nervousness. Curl
ders of his shoulder b lades (scapulas) to their your fingers at the base of the occiput and hold
upper angles. for a few breaths. The points on the muscle at
the OCC ipita l ridge runn ing just laterally to the
Thumb deeply, one press per exhalation, from spine are ca lled the Gates of Consciousness and
the top of his shoulders next to his neck, out to can relieve neck stiffness and pain, headaches,
the flat bone near the lateral point of his in somn ia, and hypertension. Hold here for a few
shoulder, pausing on the Shoulder Wel l point, breaths and feel your partner sinkin g more
and out to the acromium process, the flat bone deeply into a relaxed state.
at the latera l point of the shou lder (photo F).

204 THE WORLD'S BEST MASSAGE TECHNIQUES

Press Points along the Collarbone and I
Sternum
Remaining at your partner's head, use finger Warning!
pressure across his chest from just lateral to his Avoid Shiatsu under These Conditions
sternum immediately below the collarbone Do not give a shiatsu massage to a person who has the
and out to his shoulder (photo H). The first following condition:
point you will press is called Elegant Mansion,
which is thought to benefit the kidneys and • Has an infectious skin disease, rash, inflamed skin,
lun gs, and to relieve anxiety and hiccups. As or unhealed wounds
you move laterally, you w ill press a stomach
point and come to Letting Go, a lun g point in • Is within weeks post- surgery, chemotherapy,
the hollow below the lateral col larbon e that is or radiation treatments
believed to strengthen the lun gs and relieve
asthma, irritability, and fatigue. Using both • Has weak, previously dislocated, recently
thumbs, return to the center of his chest and fractured, or osteoporotic bones
very gently press points all the way down his
sternum, along the kidney meridian, potentially • Has bruises, tumors, varicose veins, a
strengthen ing the urinary system (photo I). tendency toward blood clots, or a hernia

Also, on a pregnant woman who has been cleared
by her physician to receive shiatsu, avoid thumbing
or applying any pointed pressure below the knees,
on the tops of the shoulders, and on the web of
the thumbs.

SHIATSU ACTIVATES ENERGY MERIDIANS 205

Stimulate the Lung Meridian
Kneel at your partner's right side and thumb
under the edge of his rib cage, moving from
the middle out to the lateral ribs, exerc ising
caut ion to ease in slowly with each exha la-
tion as he may be ticklish along the ribcage
(photo J). Fol lowin g the lower ribcage yo u
w ill stimu late points on the lun g meridian,
w ith respiratory benefits, and at the point of
the ribs directly below the nipples you wi ll
press a point on the sp leen meridian ca ll ed
Abdomina l Sorrow, wh ich may provide relief
for abdominal cramping, nausea, and indi ges-
t ion. Once you have reached the latera l edge
of the ribcage, thumb back along the lin e to
the center.

206 THE WORLD'S BEST MASSAGE TECHNIQUES



-

K

Palm the Hara Wait for his inh alation and on the next exhale,
With continu ed caution due to the sensitivity lean your weight sl ightly into your palm. Hold
of the abdomina l area, place your palm on your the pressure steady on each inh alation and sink
partner's left abdomen with the lateral edge of in slight ly on each exha lat ion, for three or four
your hand next to his ribcage, fingers point- rounds of breath .Then move your hand to j ust
ing toward his right hip. You w ill be address- below his left ribcage, fingers toward his right
ing a large prim ary energy center, the hara, armpit, and repeat the palming compress ion
compress ing all four corners of the abdomen you performed on the other side (photo K). Th e
and below the navel, moving in a clockwise next position is with your hand along the front
direction. The hara conta in s large energy areas edge of the hip bone (ilium) w ith yo ur fingers
for essentiall y all of the body systems, so you pointing toward his groin (photo L) and is then
may cons ider this a full-body energy-balancing mirrored on the other side of hi s lower abdo-
technique. men (photo M), al lowing yo ur palm to sink
slightly with each exhalation. Place your palm
just below his navel and repeat the process
there (photo N)

208 THE WORLD'S BEST MASSAGE TECHNIQUES

N

Sink into the Chest Warning!
Holding you r partner's right hand in your
own, lift it so that his lower arm is perpen- Back Oft a
dicular with the mat and his upper arm is
raised sl ightly off the mat. With your left palm, Strong Pulse
compress his upper chest muscle (pectora li s)
with one or two hand positions, sinking in for If you feel a strong pulse
a few breaths. in any position, reduce
your pressure until you
no longer feel the pulse.

SHIATSU ACTIVATES ENERGY MERIDIANS 209

Points of Interest

o A point on the heart
meridian at the pinky
side ofthe wrist crease,
called Spirit Gate, is
beneficial for insomnia
and overexcitement.
Compressing it also
strengthens the heart
and the spirit.

o Points on the forearm
pericardium at the
palm just below the
index finger and the
middle of the wrist
crease are useful for
reducing fever.

o A point on the forearm
three finger widths
from the middle of the
wrist is useful for morn-
ing sickness, motion
sickness, and other
types of nausea.

3. PALM ANDTHUMBTHE ARM AND HAND facing down, stretch his arm alternately w ith
one hand and then the other and then fold
Still in the same position, continue palming the sides of his hand toward his pa lm and
your partner's upper arm (biceps) muscle, mov- open the palm.
ing down to the elbow and returning all the
way to his central chest. Repeat using a C hold Place his hand and arm on the mat, palm
to compress the meridians on each side of the down, and palm his arm al l the way up to the
biceps muscle. shou lder and back w ith both hands (photo 0);
follow this by thumbing at the ring finger to
Place your partner's arm to the side on the the point of his shoulder on the triple-warme r
mat. First palm from his elbow to his palm meridian (photo P) You wil l be address in g
and back to his elbow. Thumb from his elbow points on the meridian that are thought to
down the radial (thumb) side of hi s arm, all relieve wrist, elbow, and sho uld er pa in as we ll
the way to the t ip of the thumb on the lun g as tendonitis, all ergies, and tension.
meridian, and return palming up to the elbow.
Repeat the same process to the index finger Move to yo ur partner's left side and repeat the
and back (spleen meridian) and to the ring sequence from palming the chest through the
finger (live r meridian) and back. Taking each arm and hand.
side of his hand in your hands, w ith his palm

210 THE WORLD'S BEST MASSAGE TECHNIQUES

Better Physical,

Mental, and

Spiritual Health

Compressing long
portions of the lung,
pericardium, spleen, and
heart meridians balances
energy in each of those
systems, reSUlting in
relief from anxiety and
emotional intensity,
regulating the heart and
strengthening the spirit.

P

4. FIND THE RANGE OF MOTION IN THE FOOT same way the Thai sen lines in chapter 3 are Of Waste and Want
Whi le seated or knee ling at your partner's feet thumbed. Some of the benefits of working the
palm the so les of his feet, press in g them out- top of the foot include stimulating the liver The gall bladder, liver,
ward. Perform circular friction on the anterior point, ca lled Bigger Rush ing, for relief from kidney, spleen, and stom-
ankles and dorsifl ex (press the bal l of the foot hangovers and congestion and to invigorate as ach meridians are on the
toward the head) and plantarflex (press the you thumb toward the ankle from the big toe. anterior leg and cross the
sole of the foot toward the mat) the ankle. Above Tears-a point on the gall bladder me- front of the ankle. You are
ridian about three finger widths up the top of balanCing the energy in
Squeeze both sides of your partner's right foot the foot toward the ankle from the intersection systems of the body that
in the same way you worked his hand in the of the little toe and the fourth toe-reduces are involved in elimina-
preceding sequence, putting his ankle through water retention and helps with sciatica and tion and reproduction
all of its motions, holding his heel in your right headaches. Repeat on your partner's left foot. when you address the
hand and using your left to move the front feet and legs. You may
of his foot, and then pulling first one side of also relieve sciatica and
his foot and then the other side toward you, headaches by stimulat-
graspin g it strongly.Thumb the meridian lines ing the gall bladder
on the top, or dorsal, surface of his foot in the meridian.

SHIATSU ACTIVATES ENERG Y MERIDIANS 211



5. PALM ANDTHUMBTHE LEG Pull the Heel and Leg Magnificent Points

Move to your partner's left side and starting at Extend your partner's left leg and move to his Points stimulated
the ankle, palm the left leg and thigh, lean ing foot, holding it at the ankle and heel, and lean along this meridian may
into compressions.Then use both hands in back, giving traction to the who le leg and thigh relieve ankle and low
C holds to simultan eously compress the gall for a few breaths. Thi s is a nice reverse of the back pain, including
bladder meridian on the lateral side and the compressive weight our legs and feet carry. sciatica. At mid-calf is
stomach meridian on the medial sid e. Using Place his leg back on the mat and repeat all of a point called Support-
your thumbs on the lateral leg, lean in and these actions on his right leg and thigh. ing Mountain, which is
thumb to his knee and back to his ankle, rock- said to relieve cramps,
ing into the points on the gallbladder meridian. Depending on your partner's size relative to low back pain, leg pain,
your own and his fiexibility, you may then lift and swelling. Above it,
Remaining on the left side, palm from his his extended legs, stretching them upward behind the knee, is a
knee to his groin and back; then repeat as you do so to a position where the so les of point called Command-
the pattern w ith C holds along his thigh and his feet are toward the cei ling, and hold for a ing Activity, which may
return, rocking forward w ith each compression few breaths. This wi ll stretch the length of the strengthen the lower
(photo 0). Bring his knee out to the sid e, with bladder meridian and begin to loosen tight back and knees and
his left foot near his right knee. Place a cush ion hamstring muscles. assist with back pain
under his knee if it does not rest on the mat. and knee stiffness.
Use fiat hands to palm along his inner thigh
from his knee to his groin and back. Be careful,
especial ly near the knee, as the medial thigh
can be tender (photo R) .

Rotate his knee upward, placing your left knee
to keep his foot from sliding, and rock his knee
away from you, palming his lateral thigh along
the gall bladder meridian all the way up into
the hip area. Lean in, not letting his thigh come
fully back to upright when you release the
compressions but gradua lly urging it farther
away from you into a greater stretch. You may
also thumb up and down the thigh in this posi-
tion. This work opens the posterior hip and can
relieve hip pain as we ll as increase mobility.

R

SHIATSU ACTIVATES ENERGY MERIDIANS 213

6. TRANSITION TO PRONE FOR BACK AND Leaning forward with your shou ld ers over you r I
SHOULDERS hands, palm along your partner's buttock, or
Have your partner turn to face down, using a gluteal muscles, and out to his hip. Kneel on Warning! Increase
face crad le or ro ll ed towel to keep his neck in a your left knee and place you r right foot on Pressure Gradually
neutral position .You can use a pillow under his the mat just beyond his right hip. Thum b lin es
chest if it makes him more comfortable. Kneel sta rting from the top of his sacrum out to his The muscle here, called
with one knee between his legs and your other hip, each time starting lower on the sacrum. quadratus lumborum,
foot flat on the mat next to his hip. Alternating Palm the gl utea l area again after you thumb is a big player in low
hands or press in g with both hands at once, lines in t he same direction (out to the hip) and back pain and may be
palm from his waistlin e to his shoulders, then cont inu e pa lming right above this crest of the tender, so only gradually
back down to the sacrum. Then thumb along hip, moving from just lateral to the spine and increase the pressure
the ridge of muscle about 1 inch (2.5 cm) lateral out to the edge of the waistline. with which you are lean-
to his spine from his waist line to his shoulders ing into it.
and back down, repeating the thumb about
3 inches (7.6 cm) lateral to his spine. If you feel comfortab le in this position, you can Pointed Relief for
turn your arm paral lel to his spine and press "Pain in the Butt"
Palm and Thumb the Back and Buttock ju st lateral to his spine on the right side of his
Moving to yo ur partner's left side, kneel and back. Move to his right side and repeat these Working the gall bladder
rock into pa lmin g compressions on the right two sequences. point called Jumping
side of his back, alternating your hands from Circle, a point midway
his wa istl in e to his sho ulder and back to his between the sacrum
hip; then thumb along the same line, sinkin g in and the hip near the
and then pressing away from the pronounced middle of the buttock,
band of muscles close to his spine usin g both may relieve irritation and
thumbs at once on each exhalat ion (photo 5). frustration.
Alternately, you may lean your elbows into the
muscle and sink straight into it, working up to Overworked Erector
the shou lder and back.
The muscles running
parallel to the spine, the
erector spinae, work
overtime to maintain
our upright position,
whether seated or stand-
ing, so they frequently
need targeted massage.
The extra work is worth
it, as the associated
meridian includes points
for other meridians.

214 THE WORLD'S BEST MASSAGE TECHNIQUES

Double Duty with
Meridians

This sequence spe-
cifically and thoroughly
addresses both portions
of the bladder merid-
ian on the back, which
corresponds with other
meridians as well, so you
are multitasking when
you work these points,
benefiting the urinary,
immune, circulatory,
and respiratory systems;
digestion; and the
emotions.

s



Press and Hold the Sacrum From Triceps to Pinky
With your thumbs, press and hold the indenta- Move to your partner's left side, moving his
tions allover your partner's sacrum .These sacral upper arm out to the side and away from
points can relieve pelvis discomfort, whether his torso, and support his forearm with your
from labor, menstruation, o r sciatica, and may right hand whi le yo u palm the back of his arm
strengthen reproductive organs. (triceps muscle) to his wrist and back up to
his shoulder. As yo u palm his triceps, press in
Move to Shoulder from the lower portion of his arm rather than
Kneel or sit with your knees apart at your part- straight down.Thi s w ill generall y address the
ner's head. Lean in and thumb right above his sma ll intestin e and heart meridians. Yo u may
shoulder blade, or scapu la, from the shou lder thumb the heart and pericardium meridians all
joint to the base of the neck (photo T) Trad i- the way down to the end of the little finger and
tionally, this is done with one hand, with the middle finger. Repeat on the right side.
other hand resting on the oppos ite shou lder,
but you may choose to thumb both sides at
once. Then thumb the middle of your partner's
scapul a and lean the side of yo ur hand(s) at the
crease above the posterior armpit. All of these
points are on the sma ll intestine meridian and
are effective for relief of tension and discomfort
in the neck and shou lders.

SHIATSU ACTIVATES ENERGY MERIDIANS 217

Uv

7. ROCKTHE FEET AND BACK OFTHE LEGS Return to knee ling at the right of your partner
Kneel between your partner's legs and place and thumb from his ankle, up the center of his
your fists on the soles of his feet, rocking back leg and thigh, and returning to his ankle along
and forth on them several times (photo U). the bladder meridian. You may find it useful to
Alternately, you may stand facing his head and have your right knee next to his right thigh and
gently wa lk along the medial arch from the your left foot on the mat lateral to his left knee.
front of his heels to the balls of his feet alter-
nating your we ight from one foot to the other. Move to a kneeling position next to his right
Al l of these actions wi ll stimulate kidney points hip and place his anterior ankle on your shoul-
on the foot, ca lm in g restlessness and possibly der. Palm the back of his thigh (hamstrin gs)
alleviating headaches and nosebleeds. from above his knee to the top of his thigh and
back to his knee (photo V), first w ith a C hold
Use flat hands to palm the back of his leg and and then with a flat palm, and finally thumb
thigh, starting at his ankle. Palm up to his upper the bladder meridian on the same pathway.
thigh and return to his ankles for the bladder Pa lming and thumbing on the posterior thigh
meridian; then repeat the process w ith the C with the hamstrings relaxed can help release
hold, simulatin g the kidney, ga ll bladder, and tightness that can contribute to low back pain.
liver meridians. This provides such possible
benefits as reducing knee and other j oint pa in
and stiffn ess, as well as relieving edema, swel l-
ing, water retention, and constipation.

218 THE WORLD'S BEST MASSAGE TECHNIQUES

Warning! At the most latera l point of the hip, Jumping
Circ le may reduce hip pain and improve joint
Don't TryThis on Problematic Knees mobility as we ll as moderate frustration and
irritation. Extend your partner's leg as you
If your partner has any knee problems, you return it to the mat and kneel at his left side,
may want to leave this next sequence out. Be- repeatin g the actions you have comp leted on
fo re returning your partner's lower leg to the the right side.
mat, use both hands on his foot to swing his
knee from sid e to side. Then, when his knee Stil l kneeling on the left side, with your right
is away from his torso, use your hand on the hand on the front of your partner's right ankle,
sole of his foot to bring his knee as close to flex his knee so that his heel comes toward his
perpendicular to his body as possible, with his buttocks. Yo ur left hand wil l be pressing down
right foot toward his left knee. First palm and on the sacrum and toward his feet to keep
then thumb from the late ral side of his foot, his hips from liftin g and to lengthen his back.
up his ca lf and thigh, to his hip, and then back Hold for a few breaths and then return his right
to his ank le. You w ill be addressing the ga ll knee to the mat and repeat with his left leg,
bladder meridian, including points on the foot then with both legs simultaneously. Thi s move
and in front of the ank le bone that may help stretches along the stomach, spleen, and liver
w ith shou ld er and side pain, ank le spra in s, meridians, toning and balancing them. Return
and arthritic pain. At the lateral knee, a point your partner to a supin e position.
cal led Sunny Side of the Mounta in may reduce
knee pain and re lax the lower body muscles.

Finishing Shiatsu

Go to your partne r's feet. Holding his ankles, lift hips after they are warmed up from the rest of Shiatsu in a Seat
his legs abo ut 1 foot (30.5 cm) off the mat and the session and wi ll stretch along the kidney and
lean back to create some traction for his legs, hips, bladder meridians. Brin g his knees together and It is possible to do shiatsu
and lower back. Bring his legs up higher but not press them toward his chest. Hold and take a few on a seated partner, ei-
past ninety degrees, stretching the bladder merid- breaths. Bring his feet to the mat and then slide ther in a chair or on the
ian aga in. Push up using your legs rather than his legs to extend them on the mat, supporting mat. If you wish to inte-
your back to ass ist in the stretch, particularly if you them under the knees all the way down. grate a seated portion to
are smaller than your partner. this routine, see chapter
Repeat some of the sequence you performed on 4 on Thai massage; the
Take your partner's legs farther over, if possible, your partner's neck, as it may have tightened up seated section is very
and as his hips lift, support them w ith your legs some during the other sequences and particularly close to a shiatsu seated
just below your knees. If your partner has no from lying face down. End with a closing hold sequence.
cervica l spine (neck) issues, you may place the on his shoulders or the heart while seated at his
soles of his feet together, askin g him to al low his head, or move to his left sid e and place your left
knees to relax out to the sides. Id ea lly, you should hand on his forehead and your right hand on his
be able to look down through his arches and see hara or heart. Take several breaths and then take
his face. Th is stretch can relax the lower back and your hands away very slowly.

SHIATSU ACTIVATES ENERGY MERIDIANS 219



CHAPTER 9

Understanding Basic Theory
and Practice

When applying any type of massage stroke, begin In genera l, apply between three and six strokes
superficial ly, or close to the surface, and gradu- to give your partner a chance to relax into what
ally sink in deeper as you perform repetitions. you're doing w ith out becoming annoyed by it.
This gives the body an opportunity to warm up Using more than ten strokes of the same kind
and allow deeper access as both the receiver and would probably irritate her.
the particular muscle accept increas ing depth of
strokes. Start with broad strokes, generally using
the who le hand or forearm, and gradual ly work
more specifica lly, using fingers. This also all ows
the t issue to warm up and accept smal ler and
more targeted pressure.

221

Massage Strokes

Effleurage-using the flat palm with fingers together, I
you glide away from your torso with neutral (not flexed or
hyperextendedl wrists. Effleurage strokes may be performed Warning!
with one or both hands, or with forearms in some areas of Mind Your Elbows
the body
Don't use your el-
222 THE WORLD'S BEST MASSAGE TECHNIQUES bows unless you are a
seasoned professional;
it's just too easy to hurt
your partner. Also, do
not press directly and
strongly on any bones,
especially the spinous
processes of the verte-
bral column, the part of
the spine you can feel
on the back.

Pushing strokes-Alternating effleurage with the backs of
fingers and the palms

Massage Strokes (cant.)

,

Friction-Small circles or short back-and-forth movements Stripping-Short friction strokes applied unidirectionally
applied with the fingers

224 THE WORLD'S BEST MASSAGE TECHNIQUES

Petrissage-Kneading, lifting, and squeezing muscle tissue Spreading-A type of effleurage stroke in which the hands
with the palm in full contact with the skin
move apart to stretch the skin and underlying muscles

UNDERSTANDING BASIC THEORY AND PRACTICE 225

Massage Strokes (cont.)

Compression-Pressing downward into the tissue with Wringing-Grasping an area, usually of a limb, and working
fingers, thumbs, or forearm, or sqeezing the tissue with static your hands in opposition to each other, as if wringing water
pressure between fingers and heel of hand out of a towel

Tapotement (right)-Brisk percussive movements
performed in a rapid, rhythmic fashion

226 THE WORLD'S BEST MASSAGE TECHNIQUES



DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN DEPTH AND When performing range-of-motion techniques,
PRESSURE feel for end points, or points where the move-
There is a difference between depth and pressure. ment slows and meets restriction. It is imperative
Many techniques that use stretching or energy that yo u move a limb or other area of the body
manipu lation can have a very deep and thera- through its range of motion ve ry slowly, as it is
peutic effect w ithout the application of a lot of difficult to detect "end feel"when you are moving
pressure. Massag ing with finesse rather than force the body too quickly, and you can exceed the
is general ly preferable, for both the giver and the comfortab le and normal range before you are
receiver. In all forms of massage, it is preferable aware you have reached the joint's limitation. You
to use gradual penetration into deeper layers of sho uld see k to encourage a limb to very gradu-
the body, waiting for the tissue to "invite"you in . al ly move a littl e farther into its range of motion,
Pushing through resistance is often painful and rather than apply any force. When in doubt, slow
can cause lingering discomfort and injury. The is always preferable to fast when it comes to
deeper you intend to work, the slower you must bodywork, alth ough if yo ur partner is preparing
perform compress ions or strokes, or the body wi ll for an athletic event, doing faster massage wi ll
resist and the receiver w il l experience pain. have a stimu lating preparatory effect.
If you feel a strong pulse under your fingers or
hand, especial ly at the neck, groin, or abdomen, JUDGE HOLDS AND REPETITIONS BY
you have two choices: Lighten your pressure until RESPONSE
you do not feel the pulse or move your hand to There are some guide lin es for how long to hold
a location where the pulse is not present. When compressions, mostly in terms of the approximate
massaging slim, narrow-hipped people, you may number of breaths, but what is most important is
find there is nowhere on the abdomen you do not that yo u focus on your partner's response to what
feel a strong pul se; go lightly or sk ip the abdom i- you are doing and respond to that rather than go
nal massage. through some arb itrary rote ro uti ne.That being
said, avoid repeating a stroke more than a dozen
t imes, as it can become tedious and irritating;
also avo id changing strokes before your partner's
nervous system has a chance to relax into what's
happening. Somewhere around t hree to five
repetitions of most strokes is ideal, although you
may find areas of your partner's body w here it just
feels right to perform more or less.

228 THE WORLD'S BEST MASSAGE TECHNIQUES

Anatomical and Directional Terms

In th is section, you'll find a helpful review of direct ional terms as wel l
as diagrams showing t he locations of many of the muscles and bones
discussed in the step-by-step techn iques described in t his book. You
w ill find the definitions of additiona l terms in the Glossary section,
beg inning on page 235.
Anterior-Front of the body
Posterior-Back of the body
Dorsal-Back of the hand, forearm, or foot
Ventral-Palm of the hand, sole of the foot
Lateral-A relational term; farther from the midline of the body
Medial-A relational term; closer to the midline of the body
Superior-A relational term; closer to the top of the body,
orthe head
Inferior-A relational term; closer to the bottom of the body,
or the feet)
Supine-Face up
Prone-Face down
Supinated-Palms facing up
Pronated-Palms facing down

UNDERSTA NDING BAS IC THEORY A ND PRACTI CE 229

Temporal bones (The flat bones above Pectoralis (Upper chest)
the ear from the side of the forehead)
Deltoids (The muscles that cap
Orbits (The eye sockets) the shoulders and go halfway
Ear pinnae (The cartilaginous exterior part of the ears) down the upper arm)

Mandible (The lower jaw bone)

Clavicle (Collarbone)

Sternum (The flat bone that runs from the base of
the anterior neck to the top of the abdomen)

Quadriceps (The anterior and
medial thigh muscles)

Adductors (The medial thigh muscles)

KEY:

=Bones

= Muscles
230 THE WORLD'S BEST MASSAGE TECHNIQUES

Occipital ridge (The posterior base of the skull) Masseter (Chewing muscle in the lateral
Greater tubercle (The most jaw at the angle ofthe mandible)
lateral point of the shoulder) Upper trapezius (Upper shoulder)
Scapula (Shoulder blade) Levator scapula (Upper shoulder)
Vertebral column (Spine)
Ischeal tuberosity (The sit bones
at the base of the buttocks) Spinous processes ofthe vertebrae
(The delicate posterior bones of the spine
Malleoli (The ankle bones, medial closest to the skin, which should not
and lateral on the lower legs) sustain pressure during massage)

Erector spinae (Muscles running
parallel to the vertebral column)

Iliac crest
(The wide, arching posterior hip bone)

Greater Trochanter
(The most lateral point of the hip)

Sacrum (The hand-size
bone at the base of the
vertebral column)

Gluteals (The buttock muscles)
Hamstrings (The posterior
thigh muscles)

UNDERSTANDING BASIC THEORY AND PRACTICE 231

The Massage Environment: Maximum Comfort

Maximum comfort is key for massage to be too much. Covering is usefu l for all forms of mas-
pleasant and effect ive fo r re laxat ion and stress sage. Some forms of massage, such as Swed ish,
rel ief. Your partner should feel comfortab le, hot stone, and lomi lom i, require direct access
at ease, and secure in the room you chose for to the skin, so draping w ith a sheet or bath
massage. A smal l room is both cozy and easier towe l provides comfort. Cotton or cotton flannel
to heat, although your room choice wi ll be sheets are preferable to synthetic fabric blends.
lim ited by the amount of space avai lable to you. Other forms such as sh iatsu, Thai, Tantsu, and
General ly, a room between nOF and 74°F (22°C po larity are general ly performed on a clothed
and 23°C) w ill provide enough warmth for the rece ive r, who should be dressed in comfortab le,
receiver whi le not overheating the active giver loose, preferab ly cotton garments.

Seek a Medical Release for These Conditions

People with the following health conditions should seek a medical release before
receiving massage:

• Heart disease and circulatory conditions such as uncontrolled high blood
pressure, aortic aneurism, and a tendency to have blood clots (thrombosis)-
Avoid pressure on varicose veins.

• Liver or kidney diseases that put a strain on the whole system
• Systemic infections such as colds, flu, and blood poisoning.
• Autoimmune disorders such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and

multiple sclerosis
• Osteoporosis, recent fractures, dislocations, joint conditions, and bone diseases.
• Infectious skin disease, rash, or open wounds

Pregnant women and people who have just undergone surgery, chemotherapy, or
radiation should also check with thei r doctors before receiving bodywork. In addi-
tion, care must be exercised when massaging a person who has sensory impair-
ment or is under the influence of drugs-either prescription or recreational-that
might compromise her ability to sense whether pressure, heat, or stretch is too
intense and advise you of that fact.

232 THE WORLD'S BEST MASSAGE TECHNIQUES

Your own clothing should be loose enough to we ll. When se lecting a massage table, make sure
al low you to move freely but not so loose that it is sturdy and is rated for the heaviest person yo u
it drags across your partner's body. Likewise, wil l like ly massage, incl ud ing your own we ig ht if
your hair shou ld be out of the way so that you you are like ly to get up on the table to perform
don't have to keep sweeping it from your face some actions, as in the table adaptations for Thai
and pu lled back so that it does not touch your massage. Fo ldin g massage tables set up quickly
partner's body. If you tend to sweat when you are and are eas ily carried and stored in a closet or
exerting yourself, having a hand towe l nearby to under the bed.
w ipe your face or wearing a headband to catch
perspiration before it drips onto you r partner wi ll A regu lar chair or stoo l works well for portions
be helpful. Massage is a very physical activity, and of a table massage when you w ill be seated to
the room you w ill massage in shou ld be warm . massage your partner's head, face, and neck or
feet. Experiment with different heights by adding
LOW LIGHT AND MUSIC a cushion to the seat of a cha ir that feels too low,
Indirect, low lighting or natura l filtered sunl ight is for instance.
more relaxing than bright overhead lights; such
lightin g creates a more serene mood and it won't Mats are very portable and usually roll to a sma ller
be sh ini ng in your partner's eyes when she is face size than a massage table for storage. A mat
up (supine) . If your partner lacks body confidence, shou ld be at least 60" x 80" (1.5 x 2 m) and may
low lighting can be reassuring. Candles can pro- inc lude a supplemental kneeling pad; if it doesn't,
duce an inviting and intimate environment. Quiet, you can substitute a flat cush ion. Mats marketed
soothing music is a pleasant addition to massage, primarily for Thai massage work fine for all the
but you may want to make sure you key into the mat-based techniques in this book. Yo u can use
rhythm of you r partner's breath rather than the a sheet or blanket to cover the mat surface for
music's rhythm for some modalities, such as Thai massage or purchase a mat with a removable
and Tantsu. Lomi lomi, being vigorous and faster- cover; otherwise, the mat wi ll become unpleasant
paced, lends itself to somewhat faster music w ith after much use. (You can find sources for massage
a pronounced beat (or Hawaiian music, wh ich tables and floor mats in the Reso urces section at
w ill rem ind you to hula!), whi le the relaxation in the end of th is book.) Have a few cush ions close
Swed ish and hot stone massages is enhanced by at hand for massage on a table or a floor mat. A
slow music. cushion to bolster yo ur partner's knees when she
is in the face-up (supin e) position takes pressure
FURNITURE, MATS, CUSHIONS, AND CRADLES off her lower back. A cushion under her ankles
Create a space for massage where you can have when she is face down makes her ankles and
room to sp read out. Whether you are using a ca lves more comfortable. A cushion under her
massage table or a mat, it is useful to have at least head when she is lying on her side and another
3 feet (9 1.4 cm) of space around the perimeter for for between her knees and ankles w ill keep her
a chair, stoo l, or cushion and room to extend your joints neutral and padded; an add itional cush ion
own body when necessary to avoid awkward po- to support her upper arm is also helpful. Some
sition ing. You may not have space in your home individuals get congested when laying flat on
to devote a full -time area to massage, so a folding their back, so a cush ion under your partner's head
portable massage table or floor mat wi ll serve you when she is in the supine position is we lcome.

UNDERSTANDING BASIC THEORY AND PRACTICE 233

Read the Label A face cradle or towel rolled to simulate a face cra- Even though in some of the massage forms
dle is essential for face-down or prone massage. detailed in this book the receiver is dressed,
If you are purchasing a Traditionally, people just turned their heads to the making lubricant unnecessary, you don't need
commercial massage left or right, but it is much more comfortable to to be a purist. You may add some lubricant on
cream or lotion, check have the neck in a neutral position and safer for d ry hands or feet as you feel wi ll be beneficial.
the ingredient list for the person receiving the massage. Most massage Your own hands need to be wel l maintained and
unhealthy additives. If tables come with a face crad le, and one Aoor-mat smooth, with short nails; the lubricant you use for
you're not sure what system includes a face cradle for Aoor use. massage may be a good choice to use as a regu la r
is safe, go to or www. hand cream .
LUBRICANTS VARY BYTECHNIQUE
cosmeticsdatabase.com Lomi lomi is the "juiciest" modality in this book COMMUNICATION IS KEY
and find ratings for the and traditionally requires a generous application Never, ever assume that because you like certain
of oil, wh il e Swedish massage is best done with massage strokes or a ce rtain amount of pressure
product you're consider- more sparing use of lubri cant, and hot stone mas- or pace, your partner wi ll enjoy the same things.
ing. The information here sage requires a moderate amount of lubricant. It is very important to receive feedback from
is useful for anything you The purpose of a lubricant is to reduce friction on your partner while you are performing massage.
the skin, allowing your hands or stones to glide. You can guess that pressure was too hard if your
put on your body, but partner grimaces, holds her breath, or clenches
it's especially important Lubricants can be liquid in the form of lotions, her fists, but ask anyway; perhaps the stroke
when you are applying creams, or oi ls, either commercial products or sim- would be fine if you performed it more slowly.
it all over your partner's ple vegetable oil. Some people are al lergic to nut When you are receiving massage it is effective to
oi ls; peanut oil and coconut oils are particularly say, "It wou ld feel better if you did ..." and then
body. If your partner allergenic. If your partner is not sens itive to nuts, to state the change you're seeking-slower,
breaks out from oil-based almond oil is a nice choice. Baby oil is mineral oi l, lighter, deeper, and so forth-than to say "Ouch,
which clogs pores and strips fat-soluble vitam in s that hurts!" or sim il ar statements. Be construc-
products, consider pow- from the body, so avoid using it. Professional- tive in your feedback and g racious in accepting
der, in the form of corn quality lubricants in cream or lotion form have the feedback. After all, you probably wou ld like your
starch, which provides benefit of better absorption than oil, with simi lar partner to give you more massages and ones that
workabi lity. increasingly are in lin e w ith your preferences.
good glide. Talcum pow-
der has associated health

risks, so avoid using it.

Besides the o il and corn starch found at grocery
stores, you can find lubri cants in health food
stores, drugstores, and cosmetic supply shops.
Professional massage lubricants can be ordered
from suppl iers listed in the Resources section, and
you may want to find out from a local massage
therapist or massage school what brands and
formulations they use. Many companies are offer-
ing natural and organic lubricants in response to
demand for these products.

234 THE WORLD'S BEST MASSAGE TECHNIQUES

Glossary

Acupressure Asian bodywork
Acupressure is an ancient healing art that uses the This form of bod work focuses on monitoring
fingers to press key points on the surface of the the flow of the vital life energy (known as chi, ki,
skin to stimul ate the body's natural self-hea lin g. prana, or qi). Using physical pressu re and ma-
When these points are pressed, they release nipulation, the practitioner eva luates and works
muscular tension and promote the circu lation of with this energy flow to atta in a state of ba lance.
blood and the body's life force (sometimes known Popular modalities include shiatsu, amna,jin shin
as qi o r chi) to aid healing. do, Thai, and tuina .

Acute Ayurveda
A condition that had abrupt onset. in reference to The 5,OOO-year-o ld medical system of India is
a disease is cal led acute. It often also connotes an ca ll ed Ayu rveda. It is also a philosophy that offers
illn ess of short duration, that is rapidly progressive a variety of practices, including massage, for creat-
and in need of urgent care. ing harmony and balance in life.

Adductors Bodywork
This is a muscle group on the medial thigh that Body work is a general term for practices involv-
attaches on the pubic bone, or anterior pelvis, ing touch and movement in wh ich the g ive r uses
and the femur, responsible for moving the leg and manual techniques to promote the health of the
thigh medially. receiver. Most healing massage techniques are
cons idered forms of bodywork.
Anterior
Thi s term refers to any area pertaining to the front Chi
of the body. Chi is a person's vital energy, also ca lled qi in As ian
bodywork.
Arthritis
Inflammation of a joint or joints. When joints are Chronic
inflamed, they can develop stiffn ess, warmth, A condition that is long-standing, causing disabi l-
swel lin g, redness, and pain and may contra indi- ity or discomfort for an extended period of time.
cate massage. The most common form, osteoar- The person may not even remember the injury or
thritis, is a resu lt of normal wear and tear and il lness.
frequently improves as a result of massage. Many
of the other forms of arthritis are auto immune Clavicle
and/or inflammatory in nature, and massage is The clav icle, or the col larbone, a horizontal bone
contra in dicated when inflammation is present or in the upper chest between the stern um and the
if increas in g circulation to the area might exacer- scapu la.
bate the cond iti on.

235

Compression Effleurage
A compression is static, or stationary, pressure ap- Effieurage is a Western massage therapy tech-
plied to an area of the body or a trigger point w ith nique that in cludes movements which glid e over
the thumb, the heel of the hand, the fingertips, the body with a smooth continuous motion.
or sometimes the elbow. The pressure used is
always within the receiver's pain tolerance, and Erector spinae
the length of time varies-usual ly until the pain This is the band of muscles that paral lels the ver-
d issipates. Commun ication with the receiver is tebral column from the iliac crest to the base of
essential during compression. the sku ll, and which is responsible for maintaining
the upright position of the spine.
Contraindication
A contraindication is a condition that wou ld limit Essential oils
the benefit of massage or would make a session
more harmful than healthful. Contra indications Natural substances extracted from botanical
include flare-ups of autoimmune d isorders, fevers, sources such as grasses, flowers, herbs, trees, and
co lds, system ic infections, at-risk pregnancies,
and compromised major bodily systems, such as spices, usually through a process cal led steam dis-
the urinary, digestive, or circu latory system, since tillation. Oils can soothe, relax, rejuvenate, sedate,
massage would put more of a stra in on an already
weakened system of the body. energize, or alleviate pa in, thereby affecting the
body physically, energetica lly, and emotiona lly.
Deltoids
These are the large muscles that cap the shou l- Exhalation
ders and attach midway down the humerus Exhalation is the act of expe lling air from the
lun gs.
(upper arm bone), and perform all the actions
Foot zone therapy
the arm can make at the shoulder joint. Based on the premise that energy flows through
the body in meridians from the brain to the feet.
Dorsal Every organ and cell has a representative point
This term refers to any area pertaining to the back on the foot and when pressure is applied, the
of the body and is frequently used to denote the brain sends a signal to that organ . Zone therapy is
backs of the hands or feet. related close ly to reflexology.

Draping Friction
This is the use of sheets, towels, or other materi- The deepest of Swedish massage strokes. Frict ion
als to cover receivers of massage to preserve uses fairly deep, circular, or cross-fiber movements
their privacy and modesty and for warmth. In applied to soft tissue, caus ing the underlying lay-
professiona l massage therapy, practice draping ers of tissue to rub against each other. This causes
is mandated to ensure appropriate professional an increase in blood flow to the massaged area
boundaries for sessions. and can rea lign or remodel tissue.

236 THE WORLD'S BEST MASSAGE TECHNIQUES

Gluteal muscles Healing
These are the muscles on the posterior and lateral Healing is the process of regaining health or op-
pelvis which provide movement of the leg at the timal functioning after an injury, disease, or other
hip, w ith attachments on the ilium, sacrum, and deb il itatin g cond iti on.
trochanter.
Hot stone
Greater trochanter This is a massage technique used in conjunction
This is a large, bony, lateral protuberance near with other modalities, in which warmed stones
the superior end of the femur, or upper leg bone, are placed on points, such as acupuncture points
which forms the most latera l point of the hip. or chakras (energy centers), and are sometimes
used as massage too ls.
Greater tubercle
This is a bony protuberance near the superior end Iliac crest
of the humerus, or upper arm bone, wh ich forms This is the superior edge of the ilium, which
the most lateral point of the shoulder. arches from the sacrum posteriorly to the
lateral hip.
Hamstrings
Ham strings are a group of muscles that attach Ilium
to the sit bones (ischeal tuberosities) and cross This is the large Wing-like hip bone that attaches
the knee joint, with attachments on the tibia and to the sacrum posteriorly, and includes the socket
fibula of the lower leg.These muscles flex the (the acetabulum) into which the head of the
knee and extend the hip and are very prone to femur articulates to form the hip joint.
shortening, espec ially in ath letic individuals. Hav-
ing tight hamstrings can put strain on the lower Inferior
back, so address ing these muscles with massage Interior is a term that ind icates that a place on the
has effects on the thigh and back. body is lower on the body than another place. For
instance, the pelvis is inferior to the ribcage.
Hara
Hara is the source of health, vitality, and power Inflammation
and the physical center of the body Bounded by Inflammation is a basic way in wh ich the body
the lower rib cage and the pelvic bowl, the hara reacts to infect ion, irritation, or some other injury.
in cludes all the vital organs of the body, with the The key features include redness, warmth, swell -
exception of the heart and lungs, but even these ing, loss offunction, and pain. Inflammation is
have a reflexive, energetic presence here. In Ch i- a type of nonspecific immune response and is
nese medicine, the hara is located about 1 inch functional for healing in many cases.
(2.5 cm) below the navel and is considered to be
the root of vital energy, regulating our physiologi- Ingham Method
cal and spiritua l wel l-being. It is seen as control- This is a form of zone therapy or reflexo logy. In
lin g the metabolism of the blood and organs, and the 1930s, Eun ice Ingham, a physiotherapist, used
producing the qi that flows along our meridians. zone therapy on patients. She mapped the entire
body as reflex areas on the feet. Ingham first used
this method to reduce pain, but then she en-
larged the work into the Ingham Reflex Method of
Compression Massage, later known as reflexology.

GLOSSARY 237

Inhalation Malleoli
Also ca ll ed inspiration, this is the intake of air into This is a plural form of mal leol is, or ankle bone.
the lungs. The med ial malleolis is at the inferior end of the
tibia, or larger lower leg bone, and the latera l
Joint mobilization malleolis is on the inferior end of the fibula, the
Th is is the act of moving a limb through its nor- smal ler one. Malleoli is possibly the author's
mal range of motion slowly and carefu lly, making favorite English word, so it just had to be in the
sure you do not torque any joint by applying glossary. Also, it is a bony landmark that defines
substantial pressure in any d irection. Watch your the space at the back of the heel below wh ich is
pa rtner's face as you move an arm or leg, and do an important acupressure and reflexology point.
not take the limb farther if you see even a hint of
a grimace as you move the limb. Mandible
This is a lower jaw bone.The bottom teeth are
Lateral embedded in the mandible, and the mandible is
This is a relative positional term referring to a part of the temperomandibu lar joint (TMJ) which
place on the body being farther away from the is a hinge in front of the ear that al lows for open-
midline than another point. For example, the ears ing and closing the mouth.
are latera I to the eyes.
Massage and massage therapy
Levator scapula Th ese are systems of structured palpation and
Th is is a shou lder and neck muscle that attaches movement of the soft tissues of the body. The
to the cervical vertebrae and the lateral base of massage system may include such techniques as
the skul l, elevating the scapulas. This muscle li es stroking, kneading, g liding, percussion, friction,
in the immediate vicinity of the upper trapezius vibration, compression, and pass ive or active
and w ith it forms an area that is tight and sore on stretching w ithin the normal anatom ica l range
almost all adu lts. of movement. The purpose of the practice of
massage is to enhance the genera l health and
Lomi lomi wel l-being of the receiver.
Lomi lomi is a system of massage that utilizes very
large, broad movements. Two-handed, forearm, Masseter
and elbow app lication of strokes cover a broad This is one of the two primary muscles which
area. Sim il ar to Swed ish massage in many aspects, close the jaw, located between the zygomatic
this system uses prayer and the acknowledgment arch (the cheekbone) and the inferior edge of the
of the existence of a higher power as an integra l latera l mand ible.
part of the technique. Lomi lomi- Hawai ian for
rub rub- is described by teacher Aunty Margaret Medial
Machado as "the loving touch-a connection This is a relative term that denotes a place on the
between heart, hand, and soul w ith the sou rce of body that is closer to the body's midline than
al l life:' another point. For examp le, the sacrum is medial
to the hip.

238 THE WORLD'S BEST MASSAGE TECHNIQUES

Meridian Theory Parasympathetic nervous system response
This is the theory that meridians, or channe ls, This is a part of the nervous system response that
make up a circuitry or giant web that delivers qi serves to slow t he heart rate, increase intestina l
and g land activity, and allow for rest, re laxation,
or life force energy to al l of the organs and tissues healing, and renewa l in the body. These are oppo-
site responses of the sympathetic nervous system
of t he body. Thi s subt le energy system has been (wh ich accelerates the heart rate, constricts
st ud ied and treated in Traditional Chinese Med i- blood vesse ls, and raises blood pressure), which
cine (TCM) for more than 5,000 years. is the "fight or flight" part of the system. Almost

Occiput all bodywork modalities seek to enhance the
This is the most posterior portion of th e skull.
parasympathetic response and lower sympathetic
Occipital ridge nervous system excitation.
The most infe ri or portion of the occiput, where
the back of the sku ll join s the top of the cervical Pectoralis
These are the strong upper chest muscles that
spine (neck), is cal led the o.R. attach from the clavicle and stern um to the
humerus (pectoral is major), and perform vario us
Orbits movements of the upper arm and shoulder g ird le.
Orbits, or eye sockets, between the eyebrows at Pectora li s minor has attachments on the ribs and
t he base of the frontal bone of the skull, and the ass ists w ith movements of the shoulde r girdl e and
zygomatic arch (cheekbones). ra ises the ribs for inh alation.

Pain Petrissage
Pain is any unpl easant sensati on th at can range Petrissage is a Western massage technique
from mild, local ized d iscomfort to agony, w ith category that in cl udes movements that lift, wring,
both physical and emotional components. Pain or sq ueeze soft tissues in a kneading motion; or
result s from nerve stimu lation, and may be iso-
lated in an area o r be more d iffu se, as in disorders press or rol l the soft t issues und er or between the
such as fibromyalgia.
hands.

Passive touch/contact hold Pinnae
Thi s is the practice of simply layin g the fingers, This is t he external part of the ea r; made of
one hand, or both hands on the receiver's body. cartil age.
Passive touch may impart heat to an area, have
a calming influence, or help balance ene rg y. Polarity therapy
Contact holds are an example of passive touch, This therapy is based on universal principl es of
and serve to introduce to uch to the body at the energy: attraction, repulsion, and neutrality. The
beginning of a massage, when moving to a dif- interrelation of these principles forms the basis for
ferent area of the body, and for making a gentle every aspect of life, including our experience of
exit at the end of a massage or w hen complet ing health, well ness, and disease. With this und er-
massage on one area of the body. stand ing, polarity therapy addresses the interde-
pendence of body, mind, and spirit. Founded by
Austrian-born naturopath Or. Randolp h Stone in
the mid-1950s, polarity therapy is a clothes-on,
noninvasive system complementing existing
modalities w ith an integrated, holistic model.

GLOSSARY 239

Pronated Scapula
This is a position of the hands in which the pa lms The Scapula, or the shou lder blade, is located on
are facing downward. the upper back, latera l to the vertebra l co lumn .

Prone Shaking
Th is is a posit ion in which the entire body is lying Shaking is a movement performed by grasping
face down. either the muscle be lly, for direct shaking, or the
limb farthest away from the body, for ind irect
Qi shaking. The tissue is then moved back and forth
Qi is the vita l energy in a person, a construct at an even rhythm-from gentle to vigorous.
of Asian bodywork. Qi is the energy that flows Shaking assists in increasing range of motion in
through the meridians of the body. a joint. It can be performed at the beginn ing,
midd le, or end of a massage and affects the
Quadriceps sensory nerves in the musc les and joints, reducing
These are the largest muscles of the thigh, wh ich muscle tightness.
lie on the anterior, med ial, and latera l sides of
the thigh. They flex the hip and extend the knee, Shiatsu
having an attachment immediately inferior to the Shiatsu is a finger-pressure technique, developed
patel la, or kneecap. in Japan, wh ich utilizes traditional acupuncture
po ints. Sim ilar to acupressure, sh iatsu concen-
Reflexology trates on unblocking the flow of life energy and
Th is is a form of bodywork based on the theory of restoring balance in the meridians and organs to
zone therapy, in which specific spots on the feet promote self-hea ling. With the receiver reclining,
or hands are pressed to stimu late corresponding the giver applies pressure w ith the finger, thumb,
areas in other parts of the body. Reflexology is palm, elbow, or knee to spec ific zones on the sk in
the practice of stimulating the hands and feet as located along the energy meridians.
a form of therapy. It has been observed that con-
gestion or tension in any part of the foot mirrors Spinous processes
congestion or tens ion in a corresponding part of This refers to the most posterior portions of the
the body. vertebrae. In the cervical region in part icu lar, the
spinous processes can be very delicate, and are
Rocking subject to breakage if the bones have become
Rocking is the manipu lation of a body part or weakened from osteoporosis.
parts with gentle or vigorous, rhythmic move-
ments. It ends with the body part's return to its Sternum
origina l position. Rocking reflexively relaxes t ight The sternum, or the breastbone, is a long, flat
muscles. Rocking is often used to treat joint prob- bone on the anterior chest between the inferior
lems, osteoarthritis, and t ight muscles. neck and the abdomen.

Sacrum Stripping
The Sacrum refers to the four or five fused Stripping is a deep unidirectiona l stroke in wh ich
vertebrae inferior to the lumbar spine; a hand- pressure is appl ied along muscle fibers with
size bone that forms the posterior portion of the the fingertips, the ulnar border of the hand, the
pelvis, and to wh ich the ilia (bones of the ilium) thumb, or the elbow
attach latera lly.

240 THE WORLD'S BEST MASSAGE TECHNIQUES

Superior Thai massage
This is a relationa l term referring to a place on the Also cal led Nuad Bo-Rarn, Thai massage is body
body that is farther upward than another place, as manipulation based on the theory that the body
in the head is superior to the chest. is made up of 72,000 sen, or energy lin es, and
app lying pressure and st retch to these energy
Supine lines acts as an externa l stimulant to produce
Thi s refers to a position of the body as a whole, in specifi c internal effects. Thai massage is practiced
which the person is lying face up. on a firm mat on the Aoor instead of on a table.
Thai massage has been ta ught and practiced in
Supinated Thailand for approximately 2,500 years.
The position of the hands in which the palms are
facing upward. Thrombosis
This is a th icken in g of blood from a li quid to a
Swedish massage semisol id or so lid structure that forms in the circu-
A swed ish massage is a vigorous system of treat- latory system's ve ins and arteries. Any indication
ment designed to energ ize the body by stimu- or history of clots contra indicates massage which
lating circulation . Five basic strokes, all Aowing has the potential to loosen a thrombis, or clot,
toward the heart, are used to manipulate t he soft from the blood vesse l wall, and allow it to move
t issues of the body. Therapists use a combination through the circu latory system and potentially
of gl iding, kneading, rolling, vibration, and percus- to the brain, heart, o r lungs, w ith serious health
sive movements, with the appl ication of lu bricant consequences.
to reduce friction on the skin. Swedish massage
is one of the most common ly taught and we ll- Touch
known massage techn iq ues. To to uch is to lay you r hands upon someth ing
to come into contact w ith it. Massage therapists
Tantsu touch their clients or patients in many ways, but
Developed by Harold Dul l, who also created primarily w ith their hands. Touch may happen on
Watsu, or water shiatsu, Tantsu (also known as a phys ica l or an energetic level.
Tantsu Tantric shiatsu) brings Watsu's in-water
nurturing back onto land. In a Tantsu sess ion, the Traction
giver crad les the receiver with her whole body. This is a slow, gentle pu lling action with the body
The receiver li es fully clothed on the Aoor, whi le part along its axis, which causes the joint surface
the g iver knee ls or sits and supports the person. to sl ightly pull apart. Pulling or tractioning is per-
Like shiatsu, Tantsu is based on point work and formed in successive actions which nourishes the
powerful stretches to release chi (l ife force) along joint, helps to decrease muscle tone, and loosens
the body's meridians and in the energy centers, any t iss ues that cross the joint being manipulated.
or chakras.
Trapezius
Tapotement The Trapezius is a superficia l back muscle w ith
Thi s is a Western massage therapy technique cat- attachments on the vertebral column from the
egory consisting of brisk percussive movements base of the skul l to the lowest thoracic verteb ra.
that are performed in rapid rhythm iCfashion. The upper trapezius, which elevates the scapu las,
Forms of tapotement include hacking, cupp ing, is the area of the m uscle that most frequently
slapp ing, tapping, and quacking. becomes tight and painful due to the activities of
daily living and working and is one of the areas
of the body on which most people appreciate
massage.

GLOSSARY 241

Trochanter Well ness massage

See Greater trochanter. This is a massage performed with the intention
of promotin g the receiver's general well-being. It
Tubercle goes beyond the treatment of specific cond iti ons
to help the receiver achieve high -leve l wel lness.
See Greater tubercle.

Ventral Wringing
This is an area pertaining to the front of the body Wrin ging is a type of rhythmic petrissage in wh ich
and frequently refers to the palms of the hands the who le hands are used to move muscle tissue
and soles of the feet. back and forth between th em in opposition,
torquing the tissue and increasing mobility. Very
Vertebral column simil ar in action to wringing wate r out of a towel.
This is common ly ca ll ed the spine orf back bone
and consists of seven cervical (neck) vertebrae, Zen shiatsu
twelve thoracic vertebrae each of w hich has ribs Zen shiatsu was developed by Sh izuto Masanuga,
attached, and five lumbar vertebrae in the low who proposed the t reatment of meridians
back. beyond those recognized in the class ical Chin ese
view. Masanuga also developed the Wid ely ac-
Vibration cepted two-hand style, w hereby one hand moves,
This is a Western massage therapy technique app lying pressure, w hil e the other provides
category that in clu des osci ll ating, quivering, or stationary support and includes stretches along
tremb ling movements or movement of soft tis- meridian lines.
sues back and forth or up and down, performed
quickly and repeatedly. Vibrati on may be per-
formed statica lly (in one place) or running (along
the sk in's surface).

Watsu
Th is is a form of aquatic shiatsu, which began at
Harbin Hot Sprin gs whe re Harold Du ll brought his
knowledge of Zen sh iatsu into a warm poo l. Zen
sh iat su incorporates stretches that release block-
ages along the meridians- the channe ls through
which chi or life force flows. Du ll found the effects
of Zen shiatsu co uld be amplified and made more
profound by stretching someone whi le having
her float in warm water.

242 THE WORLD'S BEST MASSAGE TECHNIQUES

Bibliography

Arledge, Garnette, and Jim, Harry Uhane. Wise Secrets ofAloha: Learn and
Live the Sacred Art ofLomilomi (Weiser Books, 2007).
Avraham, Beatrice. Thai Massage (Astrolog Publishing House, 2001).

Beck, Mark F. Milady's Theory and Practice of Therapeutic Massage, Third

Edition (Delmar Publishing, 1999).
Benjamin, Patricia J., and Tappan, Frances M. Tappan's Handbook ofHealing
Massage Techniques: Classic, Holistic, and Emerging Methods, Fourth Edition
(Pearson Custom Publishing, 2005).
Bruder, Leslie. Hot Stone Massage: A Three Dimensional Approach (Lippin-
cott, Williams and Wilkins, 2010).
Chai, Makana Risser Na Mo'olelo. Lomilomi: The Traditions ofHawaiian Mas-
sage and Healing (Bishop Museum Press, 2005).
Chow, Kam Thye. Thai Yoga Massage: A Dynamic Therapy for Physical Well-
being and Spiritual Energy (Healing Arts Press, 2002).
Dougans, Inge, and Ellis, Suzanne. Reflexology: Foot Massage for Total
Health (Barnes & Noble, 1991).
Dull, Harold. Watsu: Freeing the Body in Water (Trafford Press, 2004).
Dull, Harold, Ateeka, and Piane, Fabrizio Daile. Tantsu: A Yoga of the Heart
(Watsu Publishing, 2006).
Dull, Harold, and Piane, Fabrizio Daile. "Core Tantsu" (video) (Watsu Pub-
lishing, 2007).
Gagh, Michael Reed. Acupressure's Potent Points: A Guide to Self-care for
Common Ailments (Bantam Books, 1990).
Harris, Lynn. "The Sacred Heart of Hawaiian Lomi Lomi Massage" (video)
(Lynn Harris Publications, 2008).
Hess, Mark, and Mochizuki, Shogo. Japanese Hot Stone Massage (Kotobiki
Publications, 2002).

243

Lundberg, Paul. The Book ofShiatsu (Simon & Schuster, 2003).
Martin, Ingrid. Aromatherapy for Massage Therapists (Lippincott, Williams
and Wilkins, 2007).
Masunaga, Shizuto, and Ohashi, Wataru. Zen Shiatsu: How to Harmonize
Yin and Yang for Better Health (Japan Publications, Inc., 1977).
Rick, Stephanie. The Reflexology Workout: Hand & Foot Massage for Super
Health and Rejuvenation (Harmony Books, 1986).
Salvo, Susan G. Massage Therapy Principles and Practice (Saunders Elsevier,
2007).
Somma, Corinna. Shiatsu: A Complete Guide to Using Hand Pressure and
Gentle Manipulation to Improve Your Health, Vitality, and Stamina (Pear-
son-Prentice Hall, 2007).
Watson, Susan A., and Voner, Valerie. Practical Reflexology: Interpretation
and Techniques (McGraw-Hili, 2009).

244 THE WORLD'S BEST MASSAGE TECHNIQUES

Resources

INFORMATION, ORGANIZATIONS, AND TRAINING

Western Massage and Bodywork Associations

Associated Bodyworkers & Massage programs and continuing education.
Professionals (ABMP)
25 188 Genesee Trail Road, Suite 200, Golden, CO, American Polarity Therapy Association (APTA)
80401 2888 Bluff Street, Suite 149, Boulder, CO, 80330 1
Phone: 800-458-2267 Tel: (303) 545-2080
Fax: 800-667-8260 Fax: (303) 545-2161
Email: [email protected] Website: www.po laritytherapy.org
www.abmp.com
Polarity therapy, a rapidly growing profession, comes
ABMP is an association ofmassage therapists and a under the guidance of the APTA, which registers and
clearinghouse for finding massage professionals in sets standards for the profession ofpolarity therapy.
all bodywork specialties in the United States. It also As a governing body, APTA has a code ofethics and
offers information on massage therapy educational an elected member board. It oversees educational
programs and continuing education. standards, professional registration and ethics,
national and international networking, and
American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) conferences.
500 Davis Street, Suite 900, Evanston,
IL,60201-4695 Blue Ridge School of Massage and Yoga
Toll-free: 877-905-2700 200 1 S. Main Street, Colony Park, Su ite 106,
Phone: 847-864-0123 Blacksburg, VA, 24060
Fax: 847-864-5196 Phone: 540-552-2177
Email: [email protected] Website: www.blueridgemassage.org
www.amtamassage.org
This school offers a 600-hour program in professional
AMTA is an association of massage therapists and a medical massage therapy, including Western and
clearinghouse for finding massage professionals in Eastern modalities.
all bodywork specialties in the United States. It also
offers information on massage therapy educational Complementary Therapists Association (CThA)
PO Box 6955, Towcester, NN12 6WZ, United
Kingdom
Phone: 0845 202294 1
Fax: 0844 779 8898
Email: [email protected]

CThA is a leading organization representing more
than 9,000 complementary therapists in the United
Kingdom and Ireland.

245

Hawaiian Lomilomi Association Worldwide Aquatic Bodywork Association
po. Box 2507, Kealakekua, HI, 96750-2356 (WABA)
Website: www.lom il om Lorg Haro ld Dull at po. Box 1817,
M iddletown, CA, 95461
The Hawaiian Lomilomi Association (HLA) is an edu- Email: [email protected]
cational, nonprofit organization dedicated to organiz- www.waba.ed u
ing, promoting, and perpetuating the art oflomilomi,
supporting Hawaiian culture and healing arts, and This association provides information on Tantsu
certifying the professional status ofits members. and Watsu and other aquatic bodywork and shiatsu
training. Look for Harold Dull's book, Tantsu® A Yoga
National Certification Board forTherapeutic of the Heart, and his DVDs. These as well as Tantsu
Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) classes can be found at www.tantSu.com.
1901 South Meyers Road, Suite 240, Oakbrook
Terrace, IL 60181 Eastern or Asian Bodywork Associations
Phone: 800-296-0664
Website: www.ncbtmb.org American Association of Acupuncture and
Oriental Medicine (AAAOM)
NCBTMB is the certifying body for more than 90,000 PO Box 162340, Sacramento, CA, 95816
NCBTMB-certified therapeutic massage therapists Tol l Free: 866-455-7999
and bodyworkers in the United States. The organiza- Phone: 916-443-4770
tion provides information on certification, training Fa x: 9 16-443-4766
programs, continuing education, and locating www.aaaomon lin e.org
service for any kind ofbodywork practitioner.
One core purpose ofAAAOM is to promote the
Reflexology Association of America professional field ofacupuncture and Oriental
375 North Stephanie Street, Suite 1411, medicine as a distinct, primary care field ofmedicine.
Henderson, NV, 890 14 AAAOM interacts with a wide range oforganizations,
Admin istration Office: institutions, and associations that oversee, govern,
PO Box 714, Chepachet, RI, 02814 advance, or interact with the practice ofacupuncture
Phone: 980-234-0 159 and Oriental medicine within the United States.
Fax: 401 -568-6449 AAAOM also offers information to educate the public
Website: refiexo logy-usa .org regarding acupuncture and Oriental medicine.

This is a nonprofit organization that promotes the sci- American Organization for Bodywork Therapies
entific and professional advancement ofreflexology. of Asia (AOBTA)
Its mission is to elevate and standardize the quality 101 0 Haddonfield-Berl in Road, Su ite 408,
ofreflexology services available to the public. It works Voo rh ees, NJ, 08043-3514
to unify and support state reflexology associations to Phone: 856-782- 16 16
create one national movement toward greater excel- Fax: 856-782-1653
lence, integrity, research, and public safety. Email: [email protected]

This is a nonprofit, professional membership organi-
zation representing instructors, practitioners, schools
and programs, and students ofAsian Bodywork
Therapy (ABT).

246 THE WORLD'S BEST MASSAGE TECHNIQUES

International Thai Therapists Association (ITTA) In the United States, sh iatsu is regulated by the
47 15 Bruton Rd., Plant City, FL, 33565 American Organization for BodyworkTherapies of
Phone: 706-358-8646 Asia (www.aobta.org); in Canada, by the Shiatsu
Ema il: [email protected] Society of Canada (www.sh iatsupractor.org); and
Webs ite: wwwThaiMassage.com in Austral ia, by the Shiatsu Therapy Assoc iation of
www.tha imassage.com/itta/itta index.html Austra lia (www.staa.org.au).

This organization supports interest and accreditation MASSAGE MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES
in the yoga and therapeutic practice ofThai yoga,
Thai massage, and traditional Thai-style bodywork Bodyworkmall
and somatic practices. 200 E. South Temple, Su ite 190
Sa lt Lake City, UT 841 11
Lotus Palm School and Certifying Thai Yoga Phone: 866-717-6753
Association Fax: 80 1-363-2038
5244 Saint Urbain (near Fa irmount), Montreal, www.bodyworkma ll.com
Quebec, H2T 2W9, Canada
Phone: 514-270-57l3 Massage Warehouse & Spa Essentials
Fax: 514-270-8620 This company carries everything for massage, from
E-mail: [email protected] tables to lubricants, mats, stones, and more.
www.lotuspa lm.com Phone: 800-910-9955
www.massagewarehouse.com
This is Master teacher Kam Thye Chow's school and
certifying organization for Thai Yoga Massage. Earthlite Massage Tables and Supplies
800-872-0560
Shiatsu International Professional www.earth lite.com
Associations
This is a professional body that regu lates and This is a supplier ofa wide range ofeco-friendly and
publicizes shiatsu, with a clear code of ethics and well-designed and sturdy professional massage
conduct that ensure that their members have tables, tables for home use, and associated massage
appropriate training to treat clients with respect equipment and products.
and safety.
Rub Rocks
In Europe, two international bod ies network 507 1 David Strick land Road #103, Fort Worth, TX,
among the countries and provide an interface 76119
w ith the European Union government. The Eu- Phone: 800-941-023 1
ropean Shiatsu Federation (www.shiatsu-esf.org) http://rubrocks.com
represents the United Kingdom, Ireland, Spa in, Emai l: [email protected]
Belgium, The Czech Repub li c, Austria, Sweden, www.rubrocks.com
and Greece. The Internationa l Sh iatsu Network
(www.sh iatsunetwork.com) represents Germany, This is a supplier ofhot and cold stones for
France, and Switzerland. massage; the best source for a wide variety of
stones and equipment for hot stone massage
In Italy, however, six organ izations represent
shiatsu. Go to www.shiatsu info.org/associations.
shtml for more information on them, including
the largest, Federazione Italiana Shiatsu (FIS) .

RESOURCES 247

Acknowledgments

Thanks for the patience, support, and encouragement of my beloved friends
who have remained in touch even when I've been preoccupied; to my fe llow
instructors at Blue Ridge School of Massage and Yoga, who took on addi-
tiona l respons ibil ities whi le I have been writing; to al l those students of mas-
sage over the past thirteen years who have taught me how to communicate
the essentials of massage practice; and to all the wonderfu l massage therapy
cl ients, who've given me ab undant opportunities to practice my craft.
For content, I would like to thank JeffTiebo ut, my business partner and origi-
na l massage instructor, for the grounding in massage basics and in Swed ish
massage and an introduction to shiatsu. I bow to Eli sha Reygle's knowledge
of reflexology; to Lynn Harris's artfu l instruction in lom i lomi; to Harold Dull
for his creat ive gen ius in developing and teach ing Watsu and Tants u; to M i-
nakshi for her instruction in meridian theory and Watsu; to Kam Thye Chow
for his gracefu l transm ission ofThai yoga massage; and to all the authors and
presenters who have given so generously of their knowledge and creativity
in the ever-broaden ing fie ld of bodywork.
Special thanks to Earthl ite for provid ing the massage table for the photos in
this book and to Rub Rocks for providing a set of stones for the photos of hot
stone massage.
In Gratitude,
Victoria Jordan Stone, CMT

248 THE WORLD'S BEST MASSAGE TECHNIQUES

About the Author

Victoria Jordan Stone, nationa lly certified massage therapist, began massage
train ing to supplement her hospice volunteer work in 1989, not expecting
massage therapy to become an occupation . Receiving massage therapy
had proved vita l in restoring her health and we ll -being fo ll owing a serious
back injury in 1987 and also helped to reduce the stress of operating an ad
agency. She found she wanted to help others w ith their discomforts as she
had been helped.
She has specialized in various forms of clini ca l massage including deep t issue
massage; trigger-point therapies; massage in pregnancy; Swedish, myofascial
release, cranio-sacra l therapy, movement, and hot stone massage; Watsu
aquatic bodywork; Thai yoga massage; and reiki, polarity, and lomi lomi mas-
sage. She is a Yoga Al liance-reg iste red yoga instructor and a birth dou la.
She has also taught coup les massage since 1992 and professional massage
therapy classes sin ce 1996, becoming a partner in the Bl ue Ridge School of
Massage and Yoga in 2000, where she continues as academ ic director and
one of the primary in structors at the school in Blacksburg, Virginia . In Apri l
2007, her book, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Massage Illustrated, was pub-
li shed by Penguin Press. One of the mode ls for the book, photographed
by Bob Shel l, is Victoria's daughter Sasha, also a massage therapist.

249