Swedish Massage

While having a Full body Swedish massage recently, my tummy area as well as some other parts were never touched. Is there a reason for this??

Only if you have reason not to be massaged in those areas. Full body massage is full body massage. I think you need to ask your therapist that question.

Myarka.

I don't massage the stomach, used to, but it feels too intrusive for me. If someone suffers with ibs or stomach related problems, I will mention it to them as its obviously helpful.

"What other parts" are you talking about?

I love having my tummy rubbed - it can be one of the nicest parts of the body to have treated. I always include it in treatments - the children, in particular, enjoy it, plus those people who are particularly 'stressed' - really helps with relaxation.

I used to work in a place that did not include abdomen in a full body massage. But now im back studying, ive re-learnt how important it can be, and have decided that when im working for myself, will always ask if its wanted.

But, im curious to know what else they missed?
Did you question the therapist?

If its the first time im with a client, then I always make sure I go through the areas and routine with them during the consultation.... as in, I will start with the back, then back of legs etc etc

perhaps it was the timing? if the therapist felt that they wanted to do more work on the back, it doesn't leave much time to work on the rest of the bod.

I was taught, back, back of legs, front of legs, abdomen, chest, arms.

We didn't include the hands, feet and face.

since training in other massage disciplines I can include those now, and ask the client what areas they wish to omit/have/spend more time on. Over half of my massage clients have just the back of the body, ie back and back of legs and feet.

I was taught, back, back of legs, front of legs, abdomen, chest, arms.

We didn't include the hands, feet and face.

It seems that different training providers teach variations in routine. We're taught that washing and massaging feet is an important part of the routine. Facial massage isn't part of the course, but our tutor will be teaching it anyway.

We're also taught that sequence is part of the therapist's style that will develop over time.

It would be interesting to know what bits are left out of courses?

Myarka.

When I first studied massage, my tutor told us that some people don't like having their stomachs massaged. Have to say, I've never yet come across anyone who asked me not to.

I ask clients if there are any areas that they would prefer not massaged, such as the feet or the abdomen. I have had a few clients who didn't want their abdomen massaged as they didn't like it and a few who didn't want their feet doing as they were very ticklish.

When i learnt swedish massage we did most of the body with exception to the face. However talking to a friend who studied at the same college as me doing the same course but with a different tutor, there are several things she doesn't do that i do and the teaching seems to have been very different, with me teaching her what she has missed out on.

I've certainly had clients who didn't want their feet massaged. And I wasn't taught face massage as part of Swedish either, but I do include it now if clients would like it, as it is generally very popular. Having said that, I had a client the other day who said he'd pass on the face massage as it was too late to do anything to improve his face!

While having a Full body Swedish massage recently, my tummy area as well as some other parts were never touched. Is there a reason for this??

To requote the original message as above ---My real query was - Is there a reason for not doing abdomen region??? I understood a full body massage was "full body". Have appreciated all the replies and look forward to more. Thanks again.

When i did my training, they said that the times where you might not give an abdomen massage, may when a woman is on their period as they may find it uncomfortable and may feel over sensitive. However you would ask a client if they wanted their abdomen doing because its their choice.

When i did my training no one mentioned any reason why you couldn't massage a client's abdomen and it seemed ok to do so. The only case where they didn't recommend it was when massaging men, as it appeared too intimate.

I massage all areas except the obvious.

For me a full body massage means just that and I only miss those bits as requested by the client.

Patchouli

While having a Full body Swedish massage recently, my tummy area as well as some other parts were never touched. Is there a reason for this??

Ring them and ask ? I would 🙂

For several years, the standard ITEC textbook was ‘Principles & Practice of Physical Therapy’ (W Arnould-Taylor). The routine which that book gives (page 110 of the 4th edition) is:
1) start supine, massage front of one leg and arm on same side
2) walk round client, massage other arm and leg
3) massage abdomen
4) turn client, massage back of one leg, buttock and arm
5) walk round client, massage other arm, back of leg and buttock
6) massage back, neck and shoulders

There have been previous threads discussing abdominal massage. But personally I include the abdomen in a full body massage unless the client asks me not to.

Alan

The only case where they didn't recommend it was when massaging men, as it appeared too intimate.

This is an odd one, because my massage tutor initially suggested that massaging men's abdomens might be a problem and shouldn't be done. But then (there was me and one other bloke on the course) we all proceeded to massage each other's abdomens and she never said anything about it again.

I know some people think men are sex-mad, but I've never heard of the stomach being described as an erogenous zone!

This is an odd one, because my massage tutor initially suggested that massaging men's abdomens might be a problem and shouldn't be done. But then (there was me and one other bloke on the course) we all proceeded to massage each other's abdomens and she never said anything about it again.

I know some people think men are sex-mad, but I've never heard of the stomach being described as an erogenous zone!

It seems quite a few colleges teach this, as when i have spoken to a few other friends who also do massage, they were also taught this at their colleges. I think its like a lot of things in massage, its up to your discrettion and what you feel comfortable with and the client's preference.

One of my friend's was taught not to massage above the knee on mens, where i was taught to go two thirds of the way up.

Taught not to go above the knee or only two thirds up is crazy the whole leg has muscle throughout why skip bits.I tend to go for sports massages where the whole leg gets done.I would rather pay £40-£50 for a sports massage and get the whole body done than pay the same for a massage where abs.most of the leg,glutes are missed off.I agree with Supersub i have never thought of the abs as being an intimate area,also Alan D's routine is spot on.

One of my friend's was taught not to massage above the knee on mens, where i was taught to go two thirds of the way up.

Blimey, that wouldn't be much of a massage if you didn't include any of the thighs!

Would I not be right in assuming to have a good and a full massage would include all body apart from the few areas considered private???

I always ask the client if they wish to have their stomach massaged. Personally I don't like it but that's just me. I also won't massage anyone's stomach who's had surgery in that area within the last 3 months.

For several years, the standard ITEC textbook was ‘Principles & Practice of Physical Therapy’ (W Arnould-Taylor). The routine which that book gives (page 110 of the 4th edition) is:
1) start supine, massage front of one leg and arm on same side
2) walk round client, massage other arm and leg
3) massage abdomen
4) turn client, massage back of one leg, buttock and arm
5) walk round client, massage other arm, back of leg and buttock
6) massage back, neck and shoulders

There have been previous threads discussing abdominal massage. But personally I include the abdomen in a full body massage unless the client asks me not to.

Alan

I was taught that way but now I start on the back of legs (all the way up to buttocks, men included)

Back, N and S. Then turn over.

THEN.... I continue with the BNS while the client is supine by massaging the deltoids, upper trapezius and up back of neck, stretches etc and then jaw (loaded with tension), 2-3 minutes face. Then arms, hands, abdomen, legs (again up to hip area) and finish with the feet.

Thats my routine.

Patchouli

I was taught to massage the abdomen on both my Swedish and my sports massage courses. I've always had a thing about my tummy being touched, but having been practiced on by other students I don't mind it so much now. I'd even go as far as to say that I quite like it.

I can't believe someone's been taught not to massage above the knee on men!!! That's nuts! I have clients who come specifically for leg massage. Think they'd be a bit peeved if I didn't work above the knee.

I always ask the client if they wish to have their stomach massaged. Personally I don't like it but that's just me. I also won't massage anyone's stomach who's had surgery in that area within the last 3 months.

I ask too, for swedish or aromatherapy x

Tummy or not Tummy, that is the question

I was taught not to massage the tummy on men and to ask the ladies if they want a tummy massage (as it can be uncomfortable for some).

The men do rather seem to be getting the short straw...

It would be interesting to know if it's the tutor's senstivities that prevent these areas from being massaged, or the course supplier?

I've doing VTCT Level 3 Swedish Massage and we don't make any differences for men or women. The only adaptions we make are based on the client's requirements and needs.

Myarka.

Nor do we Myarka, most of our clients at the college like having the abdomen massaged, be it men or woman.

I do have 1 client that gets aroused when I do the thigh or abdomen, but you just carry on x

I had a face massage earlier in the week and that made me feel uncomfortable. But that may be just me?

Myarka

We have to do a facial in our Swedish Massage routine, rather not do it, but college guidelines dictate 🙂 !!

We have to do a facial in our Swedish Massage routine, rather not do it, but college guidelines dictate 🙂 !!

Ooh, I love doing the face massage (as long as the client doesn't have a beard!).