Swedish Massage

I think Swedish Massage has changed along the way to start with it was a very short treatment probably half the length of a massage today.

I always ask if clients want me to include the abdomen in massage - the reason being that its a very sensitive area of the body. How many people sit cross armed??

I personally love having a massage including the abdomen. And the face and scalp and back of the neck that's the best bit - so incredibly relaxing.

Binah
x

Hello everyone,

Want to give you an update on things since my first post here.

Was back to the same therapist today for an Indian Head Massage and really enjoyed every moment of it, time flew too fast. I asked about why abdomen was omitted last day during the Swedish and response was this - "Simply because so many hate that area being touched. If you had of asked, I would have done it for you."

I'll ask for plenty in future, may as well get all you can, especially in these days of recession!!

Glad you asked 🙂

,

"Simply because so many hate that area being touched. If you had of asked, I would have done it for you."

She should have asked you, not the other way round. 😉

Patchouli

I can't believe someone's been taught not to massage above the knee on men!!! That's nuts!

Nope Nefra, it goes absolutely nowhere near nuts!!!!!!:eek:

Soz, couldn't resist that.:D

Patchouli

I'm VTCT level 3 and we were taught not to do the abdomen on men, due to it being an erogenous zone. I'm not sure about that though, sounds a bit ridiculous to me so when I start offering treatments to paying clients I'd be happy to offer it for men or women, so long as I don't notice any issues over time doing abdominal massage for men (if it turns out that loads of guys look like they were enjoying it a bit too much then I might reconsider if I felt uncomfortable!).

We were also taught to stop half way up the thigh on men - same reason given to us about erogenous zones. That is a bit ridiculous. Men do get a hard deal!

With women, I was taught to always offer and check with the client what they do and do not want massaged and then act accordingly, as it should be the client's choice. Lots of women in my class do not like the abdominal massage though... I think it feels a bit wierd at first if you've never had one but worht getting used to it as it's very relaxing.

I like the idea of covering the ranges to be massaged with the client in the consultation, we were never taught to do this really so I think I will when doing consultations.

I have fibromyalgia and perhaps hypothyroidism, and I've had parts of the inner part of my left leg that have ached for years. One time, I had a therapist who worked up much higher on my leg that that, and man, did I feel better from that. It took away some pain that other therapists had failed to treat because they stopped 2/3 of the way up my leg. If the therapist only goes 2/3 of the way up, he/she is missing parts of the adductors, quads, IMO. As long as proper draping is used, I don't see what the big deal is. I also enjoyed having my abdomen massaged since I also have digestive problems from fibromyalgia, but I usually wait for a therapist to suggest it rather than ask for it. I think these things for the most part are OK with men as long as they act appropriately.

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

Sorry, I meant I'd rather not do it in college, we don't really have the time 🙂 Have a habit of not explaining myself properly lol x

I think don't go above the knee is some aromatherapy massage routines.

I don't include the stomach in a massage unless asked for - primarily for time reasons, I do include a lot more face and neck work than most people. If someone wants a 60min treatment, they're not getting a full body, if someone wants a 90min treatment then it's closer to a full body. About 99% of my normal massages are 60min. How anyone can expect a full body in 60min - a very very superficial approaching full body routine would be (order doesn't matter, it's total time)
2x3min back legs
2x3min front leg
2x3min arms
20min back, shoulders, glutes
10min neck/face
------
48min total

in a 60min treatment time that giving you 12 min to do any deeper work on the legs or back or neck, in a 1hr appointment with 50min treatment time, that gives 2min to do any deeper work. If it's a 60min booking, you've got to direct the area of focus, or just expect areas to be left out or to get little more than being oiled in some areas.
I tend to focus on areas a client can't work on themsleves, it's very easy to do your own abdominal massage, or to teach clients to; it's easy to get to, and easy to do the basics if you're interested in the intestines rather than muscles attaching to the pelvic cradle.

Hiya, we could do stomach massage when I did my swedish training,I couldnt stand it cos my belly quite wobbly & I couldnt bear to see it wobbling about,it tickles & then I ended up laughing hehe:) plus also it can cause havoc with your bowels depending on which way you do the massage:eek: xx

I think don't go above the knee is some aromatherapy massage routines.

I don't include the stomach in a massage unless asked for - primarily for time reasons, I do include a lot more face and neck work than most people. If someone wants a 60min treatment, they're not getting a full body, if someone wants a 90min treatment then it's closer to a full body. About 99% of my normal massages are 60min. How anyone can expect a full body in 60min - a very very superficial approaching full body routine would be (order doesn't matter, it's total time)
2x3min back legs
2x3min front leg
2x3min arms
20min back, shoulders, glutes
10min neck/face
------
48min total

in a 60min treatment time that giving you 12 min to do any deeper work on the legs or back or neck, in a 1hr appointment with 50min treatment time, that gives 2min to do any deeper work. If it's a 60min booking, you've got to direct the area of focus, or just expect areas to be left out or to get little more than being oiled in some areas.
I tend to focus on areas a client can't work on themsleves, it's very easy to do your own abdominal massage, or to teach clients to; it's easy to get to, and easy to do the basics if you're interested in the intestines rather than muscles attaching to the pelvic cradle.

48 minutes isn't long :confused: we were taught 75 mins for a full body in aroma and swedish. 5 mins on each leg, back and front = 20 mins, face = 20 mins, back = 20 mins, abdomen = 5 mins, arms = 5 mins each = 10 mins. If it's just back and neck, it's 30 mins.

Never expected to get so many responses, thanks to you all. I like to be free to spend enough time with patient so they get a relaxed and therapeutic result. Thus, I like to be treated the same.

Nope Nefra, it goes absolutely nowhere near nuts!!!!!!:eek:

Soz, couldn't resist that.:D

Patchouli

Lol. That's funny. Hadn't even noticed!!

It's been interesting reading this thread and how different treatments can be.

I was lucky when I did my VTCT in Swedish massage because we had two different tutors throughout the year. One did abdomen and buttocks but not face or head. The other didn't do Abdomen or buttocks but did do face and head. I think the latter came from a beauty background while the first was much more theraputic. I personally always encourage people to have the abdomen massaged. A lot of health issues arise from a sluggish bowel. The area between the ribs and pelvis is were the food we eat to fuel our bodies is converted into energy. Being able to work on the Illeocecal valve is also very important. In many ancient traditions this area is also the 'energy centre' of the body. It could be argued that 50% of any useful theraputic work we do as massage therapists is achieved through working the abdomen. IMHO