Spa Bodywork

The use of hydrotherapy applications in both wellness and health care spas increases clients’ enjoyment of sessions, offers soothing comfort, ensures that clients stay warm, and provides a useful means of empowering clients to manage many conditions through self-care practices.  A recent study suggests that feelings of warmth are associated with a sense of relaxation […]

Step 1 Clean your nails before your hands using an orange stick or a personal nailbrush that has not been used by anybody else. Wash your hands with a non–antimicrobial soap or an antimicrobial soap (liquid soap with a pump dispenser is the most sanitary—avoid bar soap) for 30 seconds using fiction and lather to

Therapists use a variety of techniques to formally open and close the massage, including resting and holding strokes, breathwork, aromatherapy inhalations, and auditory cues. Resting and Holding Strokes In a resting or holding stroke, the hands are placed, without lubricant, on the client with the intent to greet the client and allow the client time

Diaphragmatic Breathing Diaphragmatic breathing is used with the client in a supine position both to assess the client’s breathing pattern and to educate the client about proper breathing. It works well to use this technique at the beginning of a session. Communication skills are key because you will “coach” the client into a functional breathing

ARM: THE TRICEPS Range of motion is important in the arm massage because it facilitates a better release in the muscles and feels flowing and interesting to the client. The triceps can be accessed by lifting the arm over the head and locking the hand gently against the treatment table with your thigh (see Fig.

Posterior Leg: Gastrocnemius and Soleus Pin and Stretch Lift the lower leg to a 90-degree angle and place the hand closest to the end of the massage table across the plantar surface of the foot, grasping the heel. Place a stone in the other hand and wrap the fingers around the Achilles tendon. Plantar flex

The Neck: Prone The upper fibers of the splenius capitis, the trapezius, and the suboccipitals can be accessed when you sit at the head of the table and bring the stones up the lamina groove and out toward the mastoid process (see Fig. 13–4M). To reach the suboccipitals, a deeper, more specific pressure must be

Anterior Leg: Quadriceps Pin and Stretch The bony anterior lower leg can be a tricky place for stone massage. The stones are kept on either side of the tibia, where they access the many attachment sites for the extensors of the ankle and toes. In a nice technique for the peroneus muscles, the lower leg

The Back: Stoning the Lamina Groove There are a number of strokes that can be performed using the lamina groove as a guide. The two stones can be pressed into the lamina groove on either side of the spine and run slowly with moderate pressure toward the sacrum (see Fig. 13–3I). You can also stand