| Purpose |
|
|---|---|
| Pressure | 1–10 / 10 · pressure scale |
| Rhythm | Movement comes from the legs and a steady transfer of weight from foot to foot, in time with the stroke. |
| Hands | Hands and forearms stay relaxed; the weight is delivered through stacked joints from the legs and trunk |
| Cautions |
|
Step by step
- 01 / 07
Set the table height
Start with the table at roughly half your height. A common check is that your knuckles reach the table top when your arms hang by your sides; go a little lower for deeper work.
- 02 / 07
Lunge stance
For strokes along the table, stand with one foot forward pointing in the direction of the stroke and the back foot turned slightly out. Shift your weight from the back foot to the front foot as you stroke.
- 03 / 07
Horse stance
For work across the body, stand with your feet wider than your hips, toes forward and knees soft, facing the work. Move by shifting your weight from side to side.
- 04 / 07
Use body weight
Lean from the back foot so your weight travels through straight arms and stacked joints into your hands. Push from the legs, not the shoulders.
- 05 / 07
Care for your wrists
Keep the wrist close to straight, in line with the forearm. For deeper pressure, use a loose fist or forearm rather than bending the wrist back or pressing with the thumb.
- 06 / 07
Keep your back long
Hinge at the hips with a straight back and keep your upper arms close to your body. When a stroke gets long, step forward instead of reaching.
- 07 / 07
Breathe and check in
Keep breathing steadily and relax your shoulders. Between strokes, notice any strain and adjust your stance or the table.
Common mistakes
- Setting the table too low, so you stoop and bend your wrists.
- Pushing with the arms and shoulders instead of leaning your weight.
- Standing with the feet together, which gives no base to move from.
- Overusing the thumbs for deep pressure.
- Reaching with the arms instead of stepping along the table.
How it should feel
- Giver: pressure feels easy because it comes from your legs; your shoulders, neck and wrists stay relaxed.
- Receiver: strokes feel steady and even, without the jerky or poking pressure of a tired therapist.
Self-check
Drills
Good body mechanics underpin every stroke. Effleurage and Compression mostly use the lunge (bow) stance, while Petrissage and Wringing across the body suit the horse stance.
Table height is a starting point, not a rule: longer legs suit a slightly higher table, a longer torso a slightly lower one. Pressure from body weight also tends to feel more even to the client; see Pressure scale and check-ins for how to check it.