Skip to content
Massage.
Routine20 minsupineThighLegFootDraft

Anterior lower limb — 20 min

A supine routine for the fronts of both legs and the feet.

Steps

  1. 011 min

    Drape the first leg

    Client supine with a bolster under the knees. Undrape one leg and tuck the sheet firmly under the inner thigh, well clear of the groin.

    Body mechanics

  2. 023 min · Leg

    Whole-leg effleurage

    Glide from the ankle up the shin and front of the thigh to the hip, lifting pressure over the kneecap. Check the pressure.

    Effleurage · Quadriceps · Tibialis anterior

  3. 034 min · Thigh

    Quadriceps petrissage

    Knead the front and outer thigh from above the knee up towards the hip. Stay clear of the inner groin.

    Petrissage · Quadriceps · Rectus femoris · Vastus lateralis · Vastus medialis

  4. 042 min · Thigh

    Thigh wringing

    Wring across the thigh with the hands moving in opposite directions, travelling up from above the knee to the hip.

    Wringing · Quadriceps · Tensor fasciae latae

  5. 052 min · Leg

    Shin

    Glide with the thumb or fingers up the muscle just outside the shin bone, from the ankle to below the knee. Keep off the bone.

    Effleurage · Tibialis anterior · Extensor digitorum longus

  6. 061 min · Leg

    Around the knee

    Light finger-pad circles around the edge of the kneecap, not on it. Keep the pressure gentle.

    Circular friction

  7. 073 min · Foot

    Feet

    Thumb circles over the sole from heel to toes, then glide up the top of the foot from the toes to the ankle. Use firm, even pressure.

    Circular friction · Plantar intrinsic muscles

  8. 081 min · Foot

    Ankle circles

    Cradle the heel and slowly circle the ankle in both directions within an easy range. Let the client stay relaxed.

    Passive range of motion

  9. 092 min · Leg

    Closing effleurage

    Slow whole-leg strokes from ankle to hip, each lighter than the last.

    Effleurage · Quadriceps · Tibialis anterior

  10. 101 min

    Feather off and cover

    Light fingertip strokes down the leg, then cover it and repeat the sequence on the other leg within the times shown.

    Feathering

Set-up

Client supine with a bolster under the knees and a pillow under the head, as in Draping and room set-up. Work one leg at a time: the step times cover both legs. Keep the drape tucked well clear of the groin. Check pressure with Pressure scale and check-ins.

Order

  1. Effleurage of the whole leg, ankle to hip.
  2. Petrissage and Wringing of the Quadriceps.
  3. Thumb glides up Tibialis anterior.
  4. Light Circular friction around the knee and over the feet.
  5. Passive range of motion of the ankle.
  6. Closing effleurage and Feathering.

Lift pressure over the kneecap and the shin bone. Stroke towards the heart.

Closing

Cover the leg, repeat on the other side, and finish with a still hold on both feet.

Sources

  1. Massage: Swedish massage (Wikipedia) (Names the basic Swedish strokes (effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, friction, vibration and shaking) that each step is built from.)
  2. General Cert IV (HLT42021) relaxation massage practice (Region order, timings, draping and transitions follow common Cert IV teaching; check them against your RTO's course notes.)