Steps
- 012 min
Set-up and first contact
Client prone under the top sheet with a bolster under the ankles and the face cradle adjusted. Fold the drape to the top of the gluteals, tuck it in, and rest both hands on the back for three slow breaths before you start. Confirm the areas to include or avoid.
- 025 min · Back
Back effleurage
Glide up either side of the spine from the sacrum to the shoulders, fan out and return down the sides. Build from light to moderate and check pressure after a few strokes.
- 036 min · Back
Back petrissage
Knead up beside the spine and out over the sides of the back, one side at a time, from the lower back to the shoulder blade. Keep the rhythm slow and even.
- 043 min · Back
Wringing across the back
Draw the hands across the back in opposite directions, travelling up and down between the waist and the shoulder blades. Keep it smooth, not pinching.
- 052 min · Back
Skin rolling
Lift a roll of skin between thumbs and fingers and walk it slowly up the back on each side of the spine. Stop if the skin will not lift easily or it feels sharp to the client.
- 062 min · Back
Lower back frictions
Small circles beside the lower spine and along the top of the pelvis, staying on muscle, not bone. Ask about pressure.
- 074 min · Back
Frictions around the shoulder blade
Small, slow circles along the inner border of each shoulder blade and over the blade itself, moving upwards. Stay off the spine.
- 085 min · Neck
Neck and upper shoulders
Knead the upper trapezius from the neck out to the shoulder, then squeeze gently up the back of the neck to the base of the skull. Use lighter pressure on the neck.
- 092 min · Neck
Base of the skull
Small, light circles with the finger pads just under the base of the skull, working out from the centre. Keep the pressure gentle.
- 101 min · Back
Light tapotement
Light, relaxed hacking up and down the muscles beside the spine, never on the spine or over the kidneys. Skip it if the client prefers to stay drowsy.
- 112 min · Back
Close the back
Slow full-back strokes, each lighter than the last, finishing with fingertip feathering down to the sacrum. Cover the back.
- 121 min
Drape the first leg
Cover the back and undrape one leg, tucking the sheet firmly under the thigh on the inner side. Keep the gluteal fold covered.
- 133 min · Leg
Posterior leg effleurage
Glide from the heel up the calf and thigh to the gluteal fold, easing off behind the knee. Do both legs.
- 143 min · Hip
Gluteal frictions
Over the drape, make slow circles with a soft fist or palm over the gluteals, working out towards the hip. Build pressure gradually.
- 154 min · Thigh
Hamstring petrissage
Knead the back of the thigh from above the knee up to the gluteal fold. Check pressure.
- 164 min · Leg
Calf petrissage
Knead the calf from the ankle up to below the knee, lifting the muscle gently away from the bone. Keep pressure off the back of the knee.
- 172 min
Turn the client supine
Hold the sheet against the table on the far side and ask the client to roll towards you onto their back. Move the bolster under the knees, offer a pillow, and re-tuck the drape before undraping the first leg.
- 183 min · Leg
Anterior leg effleurage
Glide from the ankle up the shin and thigh to the hip, lifting over the kneecap. Do both legs.
- 194 min · Thigh
Quadriceps petrissage
Knead the front and outer thigh from above the knee towards the hip, one leg at a time. Keep off the inner groin.
- 202 min · Leg
Shin
Glide with the thumb or fingers up the muscle beside the shin bone, from the ankle to below the knee. Keep off the bone itself.
- 214 min · Foot
Feet
Thumb circles over the sole from heel to toes, then glide up the top of the foot to the ankle. Use firm, even pressure.
- 222 min · Thigh
Hamstring stretch
With the knee straight or slightly bent, lift the leg slowly until the client feels a gentle stretch at the back of the thigh and hold. Keep the drape secure and stop at the first sign of discomfort.
- 233 min · Arm
Arm effleurage
Glide from the wrist up to the shoulder and return lightly. Do both arms.
- 243 min · Arm
Upper arm petrissage
Knead the upper arm from the elbow up to the shoulder, front then back. Check the pressure.
- 253 min · Forearm & hand
Forearm and hand petrissage
Knead the forearm from the wrist towards the elbow, then thumb circles in the palm and a gentle glide along each finger.
- 262 min · Shoulder
Shoulder and wrist movement
Support the arm and take the shoulder and wrist slowly through a comfortable range. Let the client stay relaxed; stop before any resistance or discomfort.
- 273 min · Chest
Upper chest and neck
Glide out under the collarbones to the shoulders, then up the back of the neck to the base of the skull. Keep the front of the neck light.
- 283 min · Neck
Supine neck petrissage
With the head resting in your hands, knead the back and sides of the neck from the shoulders up to the skull, one side at a time. Keep off the front of the neck.
- 295 min · Head & face
Face and scalp
Glide from the forehead out to the temples, make slow circles on the temples, then friction the scalp with the finger pads. Keep it light and away from the eyes.
- 302 min
Closing hold
Rest your hands on the shoulders, then the feet, for a few breaths each. Tell the client you have finished and to sit up slowly.
Set-up
Prepare the room and table as in Draping and room set-up. Start prone with a bolster under the ankles. With 90 minutes, take time at the start to confirm areas to avoid and agree a pressure number with Pressure scale and check-ins.
Order
- Prone back, neck and shoulders (about 32 min): Effleurage, Petrissage, Wringing, Skin rolling, Circular friction and a short spell of light Hacking.
- Prone legs and gluteals (about 15 min).
- Turn supine (2 min).
- Supine legs and feet (about 15 min), including a gentle hamstring stretch.
- Arms and hands (about 11 min), with Passive range of motion of the shoulder and wrist.
- Chest, neck, face and scalp (about 11 min).
Longer sessions let you repeat a stroke sequence two or three times before moving on. Keep checking warmth: clients cool down over 90 minutes, so keep a blanket handy.
Closing
Finish with still holds on the shoulders and feet. Tell the client you have finished, give them time to sit up, and offer water.