Massage Tutorial: Full Back Massage Routine
Тәжірибелік нұсқаулар және стиль
My new book is out! It's called Massage Is Weird: massagesloth.com/book/
Here's my slow, myofascial-inspired back massage routine. I start by breaking down the techniques, and then I demonstrate the sequence in real time. Click below for a table of contents:
0:00 Introduction
1:06 How to start the back massage (introductory bilateral strokes)
5:43 Moving to unilateral; body mechanics
7:10 How to ask about pressure (with follow-up questions!)
8:25 Including the upper glutes
10:30 Making your back massage feel broad and inclusive
11:00 Myofascial release for the low back
12:30 Scooping up into the mid-back, layering contacts
14:15 Warming up the upper back and neck
15:00 Including the lateral thoracic region and scapula
16:00 Techniques for the rhomboids region (without overworking the area)
17:20 How to change your techniques for clients who prefer lighter pressure
17:50 Myofascial release for the upper back and scapula
19:40 Massage and mobilization for the shoulders and upper traps
20:30 Specific pressure for the rotator cuff and trapezius
22:50 Moving back to bilateral (reintegrating)
23:22 Real-time back massage routine demonstration... with music!
Written routine:
1. Use an open fist along the spinal erectors, starting up at the traps and ending with the upper pelvis. Repeat.
2. Use paired fists to traction the lumbar tissue laterally.
3. Use your open hand or forearm to scoop the QL and apply pressure superiorly, dragging the mid- and upper-back fascia up and out. Repeat.
4. Apply broad palmar pressure to the lateral rib cage, ending by compressing the lateral scapula upward. Repeat.
5. Petrissage and mobilize upper traps.
6. Use paired fists to traction upper back/shoulder tissue laterally.
7. Use fine tools to work specifically with rotator cuff and lower and mid traps, smoothing out with broader tools and petrissage intermittently.
8. Reintegrate unilaterally using broad tools, then do so bilaterally. Move to other side.
As I demonstrate this routine, you'll notice that I move slowly. Sometimes really slowly. I think that there's a place for all sorts of different paces in massage, but slow work can be a relaxing and inviting way of introducing your contact. The back can hold a lot of unconscious tension, and slow "steam-rolling" work can allow the client to stand up with a greater sense of ease and comfort.
As I work with the lumbar region, I usually don't do any fine work (trigger point work, thumb pressure, etc). This can all be good stuff, but I find that the QL and nearby structures tend to respond well to broad contact, and that this can be a safer way of interacting with the region for clients who tend to have low back pain. I can always choose to get more specific in future sessions once we see how they respond.
I include plenty of work with the upper back, but I try not to focus too much of my attention on the rhomboids. I definitely work with the area, but I like to cast a wider net and work with all of the synergists and antagonists that might be involved in creating upper back pain. I spend plenty of time with the scapula, and I make sure to mobilize nearby structures. Check out next week's video for more on scapular mobilization!
Let me know what you think in the comments. Is there something you'd change or add? Do your clients have a favorite back move that you'd recommend? Thanks for watching!
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@bettyballs6390
6 жыл бұрын
dude your hot, im feeling this whole vibe
Can't afford massage session for myself, but it's still relaxing to watch someone doing it. Imagination is the key
@kbencsik1
3 ай бұрын
Do you have a massage school in your area? They do massage at a reasonable price.
@ReyRyy955
2 ай бұрын
@@kbencsik1 Awhh 🥺🥺 thank you for the information I'm glad you help someone 🥺💗
@Chydova
2 ай бұрын
Yes, try massage schools. For example I go to the trios college, the massage ls there are $30. Yes, and depending if the student is a junior or senior, you can either way get a good massage 💆♀️
@vickythefist7062
2 ай бұрын
I do the same
Your energy is so pure and the epitome of what a male massage therapist should be embodying - you clearly payed attention in anatomy and kinesiology and it shows through your work. Super cool, I'm learning a lot here.
@quirogatnonerrat3214
3 ай бұрын
I feel the same, he is a gem
I'm in massage therapy school and I'm amazed how relaxed you are energetically through all of this. Massage school is so intense I forget to relax so its sooo nice tuning into your intentions thank you!
@thomasrios5072
Жыл бұрын
Brooo I'm in massage school rn, I agree very intense!!! Howd you get thru it?
@cool7654321
Жыл бұрын
@@thomasrios5072 omg i have no clue, i sometimes think about it and im just amazed i got through it and actually graduated and got my license... I think more than half my class dropped out and didnt graduate, we also did it through the height of covid where we couldnt massage anyone for 3 months which is why but still, it was so intense! I wish you luck!! study study study!
@mlspfun11
Жыл бұрын
Im a therapist. It is critical and fun to ground yourself and be relaxed too. The client feels it. Have confidence and relax.
I’d love to book an appointment with you 3X a week not only because your hands look like they feel DIVINE but because you are a pure loving soul and I love your energy! 🥰🙏🏾
I love this twist of explaining your work then showing it in real time. Well done Ian! :)
@MassageSloth
6 жыл бұрын
Aw shucks, thanks Allison! :)
@briankerman9614
Жыл бұрын
Phone
@AlrichMarkDCalpe
Жыл бұрын
@@MassageSloth when will be your next upload
Gosh that looked so relaxing, almost like I could “feel” it🙄
Really great tutorial! I find this more helpful than an 8 hour continuing ed class. While this is close to the back routine I already use, it has some great reminders about body position, hand position, fascia, etc, and a reminder to SLOW DOWN...although honestly it's impossible for me to do a 60 minute full-body massage going that slow, unless the client has a tiny body. I tend to get more "bang for buck" with deeper tissue pressure in the common areas; rhomboids, etc., to make a client feel more "done" at the end. I work in a high-end spa and that's what most people expect. I would love to see this exact type of video for each body part!! Arms/hands, Glutes/legs/feet, abdominals/psoas, and neck/occipital. Thanks so much!!
@MassageSloth
6 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the great feedback, Karina! I'm definitely planning on continuing with other regions after seeing the response :) You make an important point about clients needing to feel "done," and of making sure to meet the expectations of clients in different settings. While I do think that a therapist could use this slower work in a spa setting, it might be good to include some faster-paced connecting strokes and to target in on those crowd-pleasing areas of the body. Thanks again for the thoughtful comment!
I studied swedish massage in a French school and we called Myofascia "Fasciatherapy" I once went to the massage therapist who applied Myofascia on my back it felt amazing and he did just like you very slow movements stretching and releasing the fascia. Thanks for the demonstration and the explanations I learn a few things especially the ergonomic posture. And the fact that you did not focus on the rhomboids was refreshing and an interesting approach to avoid giving the clients pain the day after the massage. Thank you so much!
I was hella relaxed from just watching this geez
Im not a professional massage therapist but i have been practicing for over 7 yrs now. Then i came across your videos and they have been very helpful in my massage journey. Thks for your service and videos to get better techniques..
I appreciate all of your videos. I'm a massage therapist, and you have given me so much more than all the teachers at school and all the ceu's I've taken. I haven't ordered your book yet, but as soon as I get the money, I will. Thank you for all you do in spreading your wisdom 🙏🏽
He's like the Mr. Rogers of massage, lol... Love it!
@tybia1201
4 жыл бұрын
Stone W 😂😂😆😆😆😩
@kallikatsons9588
3 жыл бұрын
Or the “Bob Ross” of massage 💆♂️
@stonew1927
3 жыл бұрын
@@kallikatsons9588 Yea, maybe that's more like it, LOL
Six minutes in and I've already learned and am considering new ideas! Thanks Ian!
@moniquejohnson2465
4 жыл бұрын
YES!
Great video, I used to be a massage therapist 7 years ago, and had to stop due to finding out I have a bad spine... yeah... had to find out after I became a LMT! So I wasn't able to uphold a career in it. But I've since found someone I love very much and wanted to re learn massage therapy for her, and watching this brought back all kinds of learning. I even still have my massage table, I am so glad I didn't sell it. Thanks for the great video Ian!
@MassageSloth
3 жыл бұрын
That's great! Even if you only dive back in occasionally, it will always be yours, and you'll always be a massage therapist.
@frankly3498
3 жыл бұрын
@@MassageSloth Very incredible experience learning Massage Therapy. LMT's always get a bad rap and seen as not effective, but it's amazing. I miss getting massages and giving them. So I'm excited to dive back in, just finished your myofacial release for headache video. It's so neat how it's all coming back to me. Thanks for the videos. Subscribed for sure.
Omg your voice its so soothing, you should make like a sleeping audio track
Dude this video has really improved my life. I am a life long educator and the way you provide instruction makes it almost effortless to render a soothing massage. In the past my girlfriend has actually stopped asking me for a massage. I've sent her to the spa and secretly envied (pun intended) that I could not fully satisfy her desires for relaxation. Massage Sloth You're the Real MVP! #DoingitRight #MassageMaster #GotMyBabyBack
using this as a refresher and inspo for a swedish massage i have to give in like 2 hours! your content is great thank you
I have to always mentally remind myself to slow down when massaging...you're pace is so good :)
@premonitions1390
Жыл бұрын
This is likely my problem too.
@andreizavalin9963
10 ай бұрын
The same 😂
Thank you for this! I recently just started my first job as an LMT and I felt like I was falling into the same routines and I really needed some inspiration. Really loved your techniques and how you explain everything in correct anatomical terminology. Definitely need to brush up on my anatomy. 🙈 I'll try and incorporate some of these techniques into my next session!
I have to tell you. Since I’ve found you on here I have been using your tips and my clients are loving it! I generally work at a slow pace. I recently graduated a year ago and have been mobile practicing. I always been told more pressure 🙄 I watched the way you do the scooping effect and I have gotten so many compliments so thank you 🙏please make more videos!! You’re amazing. I prefer your method.
I love seeing new vids from you ian it makes my week thx for sharing
Trying to stay awake during this is so hard
@perfectday777
6 жыл бұрын
JamalTheTitan He's got a soothing voice and technique, doesn't he?
@gloriaf4015
6 жыл бұрын
He’s like the Bob Ross of Massage!
@perfectday777
6 жыл бұрын
Gloria Fraser Agreed! Well put!!!
@juicemanirving
6 жыл бұрын
JamalTheTitan tell me about it
@susieinthecountry4434
3 жыл бұрын
his voice is soooo soothing!♥
It’s relaxing to watch you work. It looks like a work of art. Your voice is very soothing as a nice compliment to the video.
Can you work on different body types? It would be nice to see the difference in tissue that was more stiff to begin with.
Thanks for making such great videos! I'm not a professional massage therapist, but just interested in learning some massage techniques and I love your style of explaining and demonstrating and narrating.
I have been trying to watch your wonderful video since I received the notification but I been busy.. but here I am watching it at 2:20 am. You are a wonderful massage therapist I just love the way you work...
I love watching it,I learn a lot of techniques ❤
AS an aspiring massage therapist this video was so, so helpful to see how all of the separate moves come together. Thank-you!!
That's great advice..less or more pressure 🤗 simple but so smart! Thank you
I love the palm/fist technique! Current student, can't wait to try it.
Thank you! I always enjoy watching your videos. I always learn a new approach to massage.
How have I only just found your videos??! Amazing! Love how you work and made me realise I am actually using a few myofascial techniques in my treatments without even realising! Thank you :)
Love watching these strokes. Been looking for new ones to offer clients. Thanks Ian!
You are an amazing therapist. Your touch is awesome and flow is inspirational. Wish I could experience your massage. God bless, Margi
Loved the end with just music - more please!
I love your slow and intentional techniques
Yeay...... i missed you..i watched every video you made....i love you. I own my own practice and my clients love me because if you..may GOD bless you...
i love watching you, ive been trying to get my boy friend to fix my back for me and by us watching you and how you do things it makes it so much easier,so now he knows what i want , so thank you. but i still call the things knots because thats what they feel like lol.
Thanks so much Ian - wonderful and relaxing just watching you give the massage!
I am a massage therapist. Absolutelutely love the techniques used. Thanks for these simple but effective tips:)))
Those are some great techniques. I can’t wait to try them out!
Thank you, that was such a wonderful tutorial and delivered in such a calm and confident way. I learned a lot.
Thank you so much, I have learned more techniques it's because of you! I'm glad I watched your way how to have a back massage more relaxing!🥰🙏
The full massage at the end with the music overlaid was so cathartic and healing, even just to watch. Wow.
This style of video works so well! Great to see the techniques explained as well as it all put together. Thank you!
@MassageSloth
6 жыл бұрын
Awesome, thanks Foxi!
Lol it's kinda funny how real, top notch, effective myofascial work doesn't look visually dramatic like the crap they show on TV shows or movies :D Great videos! Many thanks :)
6 stars instructor! I am in the field messaging variety of individual in NYC, and I find that the more I learned from you and put into my practice I'd become more confident with basic techniques and most importantly more confident to being creative. thank you!
@MassageSloth
6 жыл бұрын
That's awesome :) I'm glad to be of help, thanks for passing that along!
Amazing! I appreciate how thorugh you explainwhatyou are doing, touching and endingin real time no interuptions,brillant! Thankyou.
Learning so much from you! Thank you for sharing!
It was so beautiful watching. Thank you
It’s very well explained, I am learning every day something new and great that I am trying on my clients, thank you so much. 🤩🤩🙏
I'm a fan...thanks for your teachings...I learn great techniques from you...blessings
That’s looks absolutely Devine !!
Your channel is the beeeeest😭♥️
Thanks Ian,l loved the routine......you really help me t grow as a therapist.....
I'm just starting out in my massage therapy program and really appreciated seeing your routine, both the audio part and the only visual part! This was really helpful as I feel overwhelmed by the muscles in the back region!
@MassageSloth
Жыл бұрын
Congrats on your new journey! I remember that feeling of overload. Just realize that the info your hands give you is just as important as what you learn in the textbooks, and each source of knowledge will enhance the other. Your hands will make you more book smart, and your book will give you insight into new and interesting ways of interacting with the body. Good luck, have fun!
@janetcuppage3353
Жыл бұрын
@@MassageSloth Thank you so much for your personal feedback! I will take your advice to heart! ♥️
You are wonderful! Thank you for this :)
Great subtle uses of traction created though out. - thank you
J ai plus appris en regardant vos vidéos que sur ma formation 🙏❤️❤️❤️ Merci beaucoup 🙏
Thank you so much for the work you put in to get these videos to us!
I really enjoyed this new approach in the end of the video of not a lot of talking, although I love the information given in the beginning too, nice work Ian!
I love Watching him he give me a lot of techniques🙏🏾
Just watching this is relaxing.
So good👍 I can feel your touch on my own back
Ian your so smart talented and overall great!! Thanks so much
Thank you for another informative video! I think you hit the nail on the head when you said that the quality of your questions heavily influences the quality of the massage and that the goldilocks zone of pressure is the primary gauge when working with fascia. One quick question: on a patient who has whole of body tightness and evidence of myofascial adhesions practically everywhere, where do you start? I have found that it is most common that the most superficial layers require deliberate attention before one can "tease out" the deeper layers. I have opted to work from the scalp downwards when there is no obvious starting point (though I will alternate directions if it feels like tension or tone has changed asymmetrically or tightened up other areas as a direct result). Cheers!
You are a good teacher,I enjoy every session of it, am passionate and interested in massage . Still learning through your videos .
Thank you for making me fall back in love with massage. 1 year being an aesthetician and not doing Swedish massages on a daily basis, but learning a TONE of new moves and techniques from the senior massage therapists has ironically left me feeling inadequate and all over the place with my own massage as I’m trying to do too much and copy their style because it looks amazing (silly I know). It has left me always running late into the treatments and feeling anxious throughout the whole process. Your videos have thought me so much, and I’m forever grateful. You’re a wonderful teacher. Thank you ♥️
@MassageSloth
5 жыл бұрын
This just about made me cry, Andrea. Thanks for passing that along, and congrats on getting back in your groove!
@Andrea-lf3jq
5 жыл бұрын
Massage Sloth Thank you, and thank you for making your knowledge and skills accessible to all of us. It has made me fall in love with the body and its muscles, and helped me take a step back and really think about what I’m doing when massaging. Did my first massage using some of your techniques today, and it worked wonders, for both the client and myself. Again, thank you. Have a wonderful day ♥️
@MassageSloth
5 жыл бұрын
That's wonderful! By the way, if you're not part of the forum it'd be great to have you: facebook.com/groups/1793289647583837
Incredible work!
Hey Ian! Thanks for another great video. Your videos remind me to just slow down, I think that is just as important as technique. Can't wait for the next video!
@MassageSloth
6 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much, Sabrina!
Needed to change my back routine a bit!
Thankyou for the tutorial greeting from Indonesia ❤❤👏👏
Wow, great video!
Fantastic!!!
You're awesome! So skilled and so good at teaching your techniques. I'm realizing that becoming a massage therapist is something that I want for my future and seeing how you do your work is inspiring 😊 Not one client leaves disappointed I'm sure!
@MassageSloth
6 жыл бұрын
I appreciate that, Devon, and feel free to get in touch if you have questions about massage school! Or you can pick the collective brain of the Massage Sloth community: facebook.com/groups/1793289647583837 Thanks for the kind words, and I hope to see you on the board!
@devonrivera9051
6 жыл бұрын
Massage Sloth thank you!!!
Awesome routine
swedishish - haha, very informative, thank you. melting, curiosity, intention. good stuff. I like your explanation of fascia. I've read about it, but I think I might actually be able to explain it to someone else after watching this.
Oh gawd this video is excellent!!
Thank you so much for your Videos!!! Your channel is my favorite Massage channel :-) I hope, you are fine and getting well through these difficult times. All the best and greetings from Berlin!!
Great tips!
Thank you so much for that wonderful video... THANK YOU
@carole.ronning9318
3 жыл бұрын
Very good picture of a total back massage! Thank you!
Hey Ian thank you for this video , I would love to see a vid focusing Adductors and how they can relate to lower back pain
@MassageSloth
6 жыл бұрын
A great idea, thanks Desmond!
A slow touch is a nice easy touch
Fantastic!
Hey Ian such a great tutorial as always. What is the music you use in the later portion?
What books do you most recommend to gain an understanding of the body's fascial lines?
🙌 great video.
First person who showed everything how need to do a good massage👍👍
@sheresewilliams6726
2 жыл бұрын
Hey Sandra
@sheresewilliams6726
2 жыл бұрын
My brother do this and he’s so good with it
thanks a lot my teacher
Amazing , I love massage
I love your work! Do you ever work on patients who are not young and flexible?
Got an interview. Gonna whip this out during the treatment as a cheat code 😂
Super!❤
Thank you, I am learning so much!
Dude this is an awesome technique! I need to practice patience and try not to rush it. I'm about to start massage school and very excited about it. Watching your hands move this slow over her back in real time is like watching galaxies expanding through space. Beautiful!
@TalentedLMT
2 жыл бұрын
Did you ever finish massage therapy school? How are you doing now?
@checkfoldcallraise
2 жыл бұрын
@@TalentedLMT yes I did complete the 10 month program. Got licensed last January and have been working at a spa since. I’ve been doing it as a second job on the weekends. It’s great being able to help people actually feel better.
Thank you, I am getting ready to give a wedding massage today and needed some different techniques !
great video 👍😁💙
I love it when people massage my back I think it feels so good and it puts me to sleep when people massage my back
Yessssss