Front or back first?

[zookiee22]

Have just finished a swedish massage course where we were taught to start with client supine: arm 1, leg 1, leg 2, arm 2, abdo, chest/neck, turn over, leg 1, leg 2, back.

Am nowstudying aromatherapy and because it includes face and scalp, which we're told you should finish with, we've been told to reverse the routine and start with the back. The thing that's bothering me is that we're told start with client supine and cleanse/tone their face, then get them to turn over and start massage with back, etc, then turn them again to finish massaging the front and face/scalp. I really don't like the idea of turning the client twice (as Alan says above).I don't think it's very relaxing. Any views?

Ali

 

[Seldom Seen Kid]

Back
Back of leg 1
Back of leg 2
Turn over
face & head
shoulders & neck
Arm 1
Arm 2
Abdomen
Front of leg 1 & foot
Front of leg 2 & foot

 

[SamS102887]

All the early contributors to this thread seemed to give reasons for choosing whether to start prone or supine. So I’m slightly surprised that two of the last three contributors to this thread have simply listed massage sequences without giving any reasons or arguments in favour of their particular sequence!

I agree that Richard E that ‘sportstherapy’ made an important point when he stated



However I would have thought that this could apply even more if the sequence finishes with the face (as with the sequence shown on the recent ‘Swedish massage’ DVD which I referred to earlier on this thread). I would also have thought that, for hygienic reasons, it was preferable to treat the face before the feet. Indeed, when I began my massage training with an ITEC course, my tutor didn’t teach the sequence recommended in the textbook she used (see the separate thread ‘Swedish massage sequence’ for details) but taught a different sequence which ended with the feet, precisely because she considered the feet to be the most ‘unclean’ part of the body.

Alan

 

[Spirits Alive]

I always finish with the face, but use wipes to clean my hands first.

Lesley

 

[Gamer]

On our aromatherapy course, Alan, we were told to wipe the feet first with antiseptic wipes and to wash the hands before massaging the face. I didn't agree with the tutor on everything but this seems to make sense.

 

[Danielle P]

sorry, i never even thought of that.
i guess i like to finish with the back as it is the one area that a client feels they really need and i can give my time to it and i have finished the turning so they can really relax.
i have tried different rutines on people during practice and case studies but found this one to be most peoples fav!
hope that helps but try out routines on people, maybe family as they will be honest aqnd as with everything ull probably have to adjust your routine to suit the client.

 

[rgeqxuvtihzibdedi]

On holiday recently, I hadtwo massages from a German therapist who began with the face and finished with the back and glutes. Personally I thought that this was an excellent sequence. I would agree with treating the face first for reasons of hygiene (I would have thought that stopping to wash the hands partway through the massage, as one contributor appeared to suggest, would disrupt the flow of the massage). Also, beginning with the client supine makes it easy to check whether the pressure is appropriate for the client. And finishing with the back and glutes makes it easy to end with some percussion if you want to ensure that the client is alert and awake at the end of the massage.

Alan

 

[Martin F]

With my full body massage I will start with a scalp massage. Then a short massage of the face. I then apply oil or lotion to my hands and work on the neck and shoulders area (on my female clients I do not go below the collar bone with out written consent). I then work on the right arm before going on to the right leg. I expose the right leg, being very careful not to expose the genital area. After completing the leg, I re-drape the leg leaving only the feet exposed. After a few minutes of foot massage (don't worry, they will be worked on again)(I then use a hand sanitizer before continuing with the massage), I re-drape the feet and then I expose the left leg, being very careful not to expose the genital area. After working on the leg, I re-drape the leg and begin work on the left arm. After completing the left arm I grab the right side of the sheets and lift them up to give you room to roll over but not enough to expose you. I then expose your back to the top of your pelvis and work on your shoulders, upper and lower back and finish the backs of your arms. I then re-drape your back and then expose the back of your left leg again being very careful not to expose you. After finishing your left leg I the re-drape your leg and expose your feet (see I told you I would be back to work on them). I then finish massaging your feet and then cover them up (I then use a hand sanitizer before continuing with the massage). I then expose the back of your right leg again being very careful not to expose you. After finishing your right leg I the re-drape your leg. I then expose your back again and finish the massage. When I get to the 55-minute mark of the massage, I then ask if there are any other areas that you would like me to spend the rest of your time working on.

 

[fmehzuhzihsiwjehb]

I would agree with AlanOfDale's suggestion of starting with the scalpand face.
I think this thread is worth re-reading in view of Daisy's new thread on 'massage routines'.Unusually, it doesn't seem to be possible to paste a working link to this thread into messages in other threads - I'm not sure whether any of the moderators can rectify this !?

Alan