Steps
- 015 min
Set-up in side-lying
Help the client onto their side with the spine along the back edge of the table: a pillow under the head, a hug pillow for the top arm, and pillows between the knees and ankles so the top leg is level with the hip. Drape in an L-shape along the underwear line and check they feel stable.
- 023 min · Back
Back effleurage
Standing behind the client, glide up the back beside the spine from the waist to the top of the shoulder. Lean in with your body weight rather than pushing, and check pressure.
- 034 min · Back
Back petrissage
Knead the muscles beside the spine, working up from the lower back to the shoulder blade. Use lighter pressure than prone, as the client can roll.
- 043 min · Back
Shoulder blade frictions
Small circles along the inner border of the upper shoulder blade. Let the top arm rest on the hug pillow so the blade sits free.
- 053 min · Neck
Neck and upper shoulder
Knead the upper trapezius and the side of the neck up to the base of the skull. Keep the head supported on the pillow and use light pressure.
- 063 min · Arm
Arm
With the top arm resting on the hug pillow, glide from the wrist up to the shoulder and return lightly. Check the arm stays supported.
- 073 min · Hip
Gluteals
Over the drape, lean in with a flat palm or soft fist, pressing rhythmically over the gluteals from the sacrum towards the hip. Build slowly and check the pressure.
- 083 min · Leg
Leg effleurage
With a U-shaped drape exposing the top leg, glide from the ankle up the calf and outer thigh to the hip. Keep the leg supported on the pillows.
- 093 min · Thigh
Outer and back of thigh
Knead the outer thigh, then the hamstrings, working upwards from the knee. The outer thigh is often tender, so ask about pressure.
- 103 min
Turn to the other side
Hold the sheet and ask the client to roll onto their back and then onto the other side, moving towards you. Rebuild the head, arm and knee pillows and re-drape before you start.
- 113 min · Back
Second side: Back effleurage
Standing behind the client, glide up the back beside the spine from the waist to the top of the shoulder. Lean in with your body weight rather than pushing, and check pressure.
- 124 min · Back
Second side: Back petrissage
Knead the muscles beside the spine, working up from the lower back to the shoulder blade. Use lighter pressure than prone, as the client can roll.
- 133 min · Back
Second side: Shoulder blade frictions
Small circles along the inner border of the upper shoulder blade. Let the top arm rest on the hug pillow so the blade sits free.
- 143 min · Neck
Second side: Neck and upper shoulder
Knead the upper trapezius and the side of the neck up to the base of the skull. Keep the head supported on the pillow and use light pressure.
- 153 min · Arm
Second side: Arm
With the top arm resting on the hug pillow, glide from the wrist up to the shoulder and return lightly. Check the arm stays supported.
- 163 min · Hip
Second side: Gluteals
Over the drape, lean in with a flat palm or soft fist, pressing rhythmically over the gluteals from the sacrum towards the hip. Build slowly and check the pressure.
- 173 min · Leg
Second side: Leg effleurage
With a U-shaped drape exposing the top leg, glide from the ankle up the calf and outer thigh to the hip. Keep the leg supported on the pillows.
- 183 min · Thigh
Second side: Outer and back of thigh
Knead the outer thigh, then the hamstrings, working upwards from the knee. The outer thigh is often tender, so ask about pressure.
- 192 min
Closing hold
Rest one hand on the shoulder and one on the hip for a few breaths. Tell the client you have finished and help them sit up slowly, as rising from side-lying can make some people light-headed.
Set-up
Side-lying suits clients who are pregnant, have trouble lying face down, or simply prefer it. It needs plenty of pillows: under the head so the neck is level, a hug pillow for the top arm, and pillows between the knees and ankles so the top leg is level with the hip. Keep the spine close to the back edge of the table so you can reach it. General draping follows Draping and room set-up: an L-shaped drape along the underwear line for the back, and a U-shaped drape tucked around the top leg for the hip and thigh.
The diagrams use the side view: the client’s back is to the left and you are working the upper side.
Order
- First side (about 25 min): back Effleurage and Petrissage, Circular friction around the shoulder blade, neck and Trapezius, arm, Compression over the gluteals, then the leg.
- Turn (3 min): the client rolls through their back to the other side, and you rebuild the pillows.
- Second side (about 24 min): repeat the same sequence.
Use slightly lighter pressure than on a prone client, as a side-lying body can roll away from firm strokes. Lean from your legs, not your arms (see Body mechanics). Check pressure with Pressure scale and check-ins at each region.
Closing
Finish with a still hold on the shoulder and hip, then help the client up slowly.