5 massage techniques/strategies I've abandoned

[@hajrosecic6322]

I have been a massage therapist for 21 years (half my life) and I just found your channel. I feel like I’ve found the person who thinks like I think and I love your approach. I’m obsessed with all of your videos and I love your knowledge. Thanks so much!!

[@MassageSloth]

I really appreciate that Hajro!! I'm always glad to hear from long-time massage therapists, it helps me know I'm on the right track :)

[@jesusmiguelmendez6287]

this guy makes the best unintentional asmr videos

[@autumnstevens8148]

I'm in my first year as an LMT and this video really helps. I haven't used trigger point religiously since my internship, I found it takes to much time & doesn't have the same calming affect as regular massage. I've also been trying to work on my aggressiveness in general, I get excited someone has areas they are allowing me to work on but I'm learning to take a step back and make sure I'm helping not hurting.

[@jglueckauf]

This is my first week back at work after a 7 month hiatus from giving bodywork. I found your message in this video to be very comforting. Thank you. I have been watching your videos since I begin practicing in 2015. You are one of the most influential and important teachers in my massage education. I deeply appreciate your work; thank you for making it accessible.

[@quietone748]

I've gone back to massage full-time now and after a 4 1/2 year break from it was desperately trying to remember techniques I had learned at school in 2010. Coupled with the facts that I work at a chain AND I get a lot of clients asking me to go as deep as I can ("You can't hurt me") I started to show signs of breakdown by month three!!! AGH! So I talked with my boss and said I was going to insist on doing my personal massage work, to provide what is most useful for the client without killing me. I let my clients know that I do at most a moderate amount of pressure, and only occasionally will I get around to firm pressure. I occasionally do TP work on very obvious points, but as you mentioned in your video, you pause a bit over them as you are doing your myofascial work. These days I've gone back to a lot more myofascial release before I even get started on deep tissue work using light to moderate pressure. Most of the deep tissue work I am doing is actually just myofascial release, but I incorporate Swedish into it so the client feels like something else is going on besides myfr. I do some accupressure work and reflex point massage, but seldomly do I come home after a whole day of providing deep tissue massage in pain myself. As far as abdomnial massage is concerned, I do often massage the edges of the diaphragm (gently!), as it helps clients breathe easier. Super helpful in clients with asthma or anxiety. I've been massaging since I was a teen but went to school to get a professional license to be able to do the work I love in a competent manner. Thank you for your videos, they are super useful and well-thought out. Cheers.

[@Wandanador]

When I was in massage school we had an assignment of researching and reporting on a modality of our choosing. Since we had a large class, we heard a wide range of subjects and some of them seemed very exotic to me. I was most impressed with the humble presentation of one of my classmates who I thought was very intuitive and demonstrated good massage techniques when she was my partner. Her presentation was on Swedish Massage. We were getting to the end of our school and it brought home to me that this technique had started to get downplayed as being therapeutic. Now that I have been practicing for a few years, I realize that it is the basis of every massage I do. I have lost track of my classmate, but I still remember the valuable lesson I learned from her presentation.

[@MassageSloth]

I love this, thank you for sharing it!

[@silvussol8966]

I’ve been a practicing LMT for 13 years and I agree with everything you said. Good advice all the way around.

[@paulastevens8273]

What a relief to hear you say you don't often work psoas! Thank you! Fellow therapists have looked askance at me when I've admitted to not working psoas for back pain. I hated receiving it while in massage school and decided then and there I wouldn't subject my clients to it. Feels way too vulnerable and active stretching more effective.

[@MassageSloth]

Yeah, while it's something I keep in my toolbox for situations where other less invasive approaches aren't doing the trick, I also try to make it as comfortable an experience as possible. People just diving in and trying to apply friction to the poor thing... 😯

[@fatcatmamma]

Your videos are so helpful. As a relatively new massage therapist it's really useful to have someone remind me that everything I've been taught or read in a textbook cannot and should not be taken as gospel. It's good to question everything. Thanks again.

[@MassageSloth]

Thanks Pam! And I do hope that that's the main takeaway here. Not that my conclusions are the be-all end-all of massage, but that questioning what we've learned, and falling in and out of love with techniques, is all part of the process.

[@trekfan6]

Thanks for posting this! As a therapist in practice for almost 24 years and client I have always taken issue with that neck ROM and neck area aggressiveness. So crucial for experienced and new therapists alike to keep all the points you make here, in mind.

[@almafriesen2270]

Thanks for these videos. I have changed up some techniques as well. Always asking why or how the problem is there to find solution.

[@kathleenklassmanoldaccount1980]

I am very glad I found your channel Massage Sloth. I can't believe what I am hearing. As a massage therapist I have heard so many strange ideas, 'knots' being one of them. Thank you for informing us in such a simple and methodological way. I will be changing my ways, thank goodness I am only a year into my practice!

[@08hanzy]

Everything you said here is on point! I hated the neck stretches when I was in school. To me it did not feel necessary or correct. They actually made me Feel uncomfortable so I never used it. I would also never dig into the psoas cause it hurts and you have to be really really good and it has to be necessary. I think you can do more damage trying to get to that muscle. I try to use techniques that I liked and have experienced myself and integrate it to my client’s session. I also don’t dig in and try to fix a knot with repeated kneading cause the client will leave sore cause that’s what happened to me.

[@thirdintegra]

This is only the third video of yours that I have watched and you are so much more knowledgeable than the instructors I had in school. Id like to know why there is absolutely zero standard to qualify as a massage instructor and these schools can hire just anyone to "teach".

[@TheSOB88]

It’s because of the reasons.

[@codedresilience5239]

Agreed. Some of my current teachers should not hold the title of an “instructor.”

[@kali829]

currently in massage school and i can literally pay him threefolds than what I pay my current school rn.

[@alohaleslie9407]

Aloha MS! This is incredibly valuable and I thank you for it. As a massage therapist/instructor of many years, I've come to the same conclusions. My personal experience was just not aligning with what I had learned and was learning in continuing education. Less is more... thanks again!!!

[@dinametaweh6431]

It gives me empathy to receive,I learn so much. I don't want to tell someone how to do their job. I don't want to insult anyone. I have a case of Minnesota nice. Tomorrow I receive and I'm going to say "I love your work but I do not want my neck moved and stretched,anymore." At least that's my intent.wish me luck. A side note. My new way of working, is so far, to a person says OMG I'm soooo relaxed. I think they feel safe.It takes them a while to come back to the real world. My only problem now is fitting the massage into the hour. The first change came from within me. My way of being was to fight,and force. Deepak said you are fighting against the whole world,take the path of least resistance. I did it works. Even tho it feels like cheating.Then I ran into your work. It felt so right. And then my years of work,your advice combined and I am so pleased. So are my clients.

[@MassageSloth]

It sounds like a rewarding journey for you and your clients! I'm glad that you've found ideas from my videos useful, and I'm grateful to you for your kind comments. Enjoy your massage tomorrow, and best of luck with breaking through that Minnesota nice :)

[@LEDANCETHERAPY]

Also as I was mentioning the physiological effects of posture and how that affects one's moods and emotions is another thing to be aware of and be conscious of. Simply if you consider how people hold their bodies when they feel certain emotions of happiness or sadness and the relativity of that sunken chest being relative to sadness for example helping someone correct their posture and also affects how they're feeling what they're projecting. The way in which you use your body affects not only how people perceive you but how you perceive yourself and I see this all the time when I teach people how to dance I see their physiology transform and I see their confidence build and you can see it in their posture so posture is huge for me again I'm sure it's because of the dance background that I have but it's not something that I would leave at the curb were casually address it's definitely in the forefront of my mind when I'm working with a client.

[@MassageSloth]

I can appreciate that coming from a dance instructor. I imagine that dance is able to mold posture much the same way as yoga (or military training, or strength training), changing how a person stands and breathes over time. You also make a good point that posture and self-perception are linked-when we feel nervous, we slink. When we feel proud, we stand tall. I think that what I primarily object to is a part of massage culture, that we must change posture for our massage to be a success. This leads to some strange ideas, like that we can restructure the body in a single session, or in ten sessions. It also leads some massage therapists to remark upon their clients' posture negatively, or to feed into their clients' existing posture complex. As powerful as posture might be, I expect that stigmatizing abnormal posture is more damaging than the posture itself could ever be. All that said, I think that you're approaching it from the right perspective: Posture change as self-empowerment. If we can communicate to our clients that change is possible, and that new activities and ways of standing and sitting are forms of self-care, then we can help them make sensible changes without the stigma. I like the approach you cited in your other comment, "a teaspoon at a time." Wonderful insights, thank you for commenting!

[@andreacroci1988]

So what you say is not that MT sholud not inform that a specific posture is negativenly affecting them (emontionally and socially not necesarilly in regards of pain) but just stop to stigmatizing some posture they feel incorrect and educate their clients to have a better posture to feel holistically better. Just do not demotivate people, right?

[@zheyongpiao9184]

+Andrea Croci (Dolor y Alivio) I am a LMT in NYC.I also thought it was important at the beginning of my career, but when I working with osteopathic physical therapy, I found I was wrong cuz I couldn't change their life style and when one muscle getting adjusted, it might affect the whole body. More than that we are not the doctor, so a lot of time we just guess which is not really relevant to it. And even PT and osteopathic doctor let them stop change habit if it might lead any pain. They think every body structure is different so have to be in specific for each body

[@Elegantchoco-lit]

You're such a brain!!! I love your videos I'm a LMT as well not to mention you're easy on the eyes.

[@exogencontainment]

You rock dude! Thank for sharing your hard-earned wisdom/experience :) Love and Peace

[@dinametaweh6431]

This was great. I to no longer get aggressive with my massage. My gut has always told me you don't need to feel pain to feel better. However I've probably lost clients by not inflicting trigger point pain on them. Now as myself and my clients age we agree on this Kinder more effective form of massage. Now I need to man up when receiving massage and say please don't flex my neck all over the place because it does make me feel sick later. I didn't want to hurt my therapist feelings. Giving instructions and too much advice after the massage is not useful I too used to go on and on and now only say something if I think they'll do it and I think that it will help I now look for soft pathways rather than hard triggerpoints and I'm having great success with it.

[@MassageSloth]

Thanks for the thoughtful comment, Dina! I've also probably lost a fair number of clients, but I figure they were never really "my" clients in the first place. I hope they found a good home :) And I have the same difficulty speaking up during massage that I find painful. Part of it is wanting to trust the therapist, but another part is that it's just hard to speak up when I'm on the table. It helps me want to be a better communicator when I'm the therapist, for sure.

[@LokiSun1]

Well explained. This comprehensive and specific approach can apply to many muscle systems. I'm new at massage therapy, but I feel that one must approach gently.

[@gethinthomas9535]

psoas palpitations can be intrusive and awkward I've learned to simply focus on hip mobilization and stretch the psoas

[@kathypratt443]

As always Ian I love your videos. Your communication is very clear and to the point.

[@MassageSloth]

Much appreciated, Kathy!

[@SweetShine213]

"There are a lot of ways of existing in gravity" Loving your videos. Thank you 💛

[@sarahclark1373]

Excellent video. I totally understand what you say about use of trigger points. While, I love that work and having a natural ability to come across those areas, direct constant pressure isn't always the answer. I am a solid 3 years in, and only this month have I started to have any variation of pain in my hands and wrists. Issue is that a lot of deep pressure and deep tissue clients have been coming in, saying they can "take the abuse". No, just let me get to your attachments and manipulate around your tighter tps!

[@pm11237]

As always Thank You for this video. Personally, never been aggressive with neck stretches. I love receiving work because it keeps me on my game. That being said, I'm going to have to express my dislike for that hyperflexion neck stretch thing. It scares the crap outta me, blocks my air way and it just feels weird. I mean, nowadays Levator is always being stretched out by looking down at our phones and sitting at desks. Why would you overstretch a stretched muscle? Ian, thank you for helping me find my voice! Stay Lazy!

[@MassageSloth]

I love this. Thanks for the comment, Marlene!

[@camajespa]

@marlene hello, (I'm a LMT) I might be wrong, but the way I see it, when we use our phone and sitting at desks, I think the Levator is working hard keeping the head... for me, it has not the same effect on the muscle as a stretch...

[@halpal12]

Yay! You are back!! I was getting worried that you were going to be gone forever!

[@MassageSloth]

Haha yeah, sorry for the disappearing act :) I have to take mental health breaks sometimes, but I'm hoping to get a better handle on it in the future. Maybe by the time I'm 40...

[@bodyxalchemy9691]

+Massage Sloth this made me breathe easier! Thanks for sharing.

[@javellanalanyswbkotsfamily3825]

Hi Sir I’m do massage home Service 22 yrs..but I need learn more.thanks for your channel can help me more ❤

[@stevehicks399]

Thanks. This was very helpful. We need to always be careful, because we are not doctors, but we can help assist people in their healing.

[@CL-wd2zw]

This information is great. Thank you. One thing I would like to add. I'm over trying to give the deepest deep tissue massage, just because their pain and pressure receptors are hypo sensitive. Tiptoes and elbows are no more. Lol. It's a major workout.

[@MassageSloth]

Yep, these days I know my limit and don't step a foot past it. Good addition!

[@massagematteroffact5396]

So good, thank you for all this .... I am re learning these things since beginning massaging. Love listening to you explaining things.

[@jpodobnik]

Awesome food for thought! Personally, I find muscle stripping more effective than ischemic compressions for tigger point work.

[@taoist32]

True. Feels better too.

[@VK-es5wx]

U r so crystal clear.so easy to follow and learn in order to know ur proffesion.many many thanks

[@ashlieta]

great advice! I appreciate your tact and respect for your clients.

[@saracarp4388]

I wholeheartedly agree with the home care statement. I usually give only one stretch at a time. Clients are far more likely to do their homework if you don't give too much. The only thing I disagree with is the trigger point statement. Go in there warming up the tissue with Swedish. If you still see some hypertonicity, in my opinion NMT is the next step. You should always evaluate what the pain feels like anyway- it isn't always a trigger point. Anyway I love your videos. They help more than you know. =)

[@MassageSloth]

Great to hear, Megan! And yeah, NMT is something that I go back and forth on, and I expect to do so again in the future. It's effective, I'm just not convinced that it's more effective than other approaches. It's a topic about which reasonable people disagree :) Thanks for commenting!

[@Imp_Prints_Art_Nature]

Great vid as usual. Good to see you back, thank you :)

[@wellnessotr]

Exactly!! I stopped many of them, years ago, for the very same reasons. 🏅

[@christiana_mandalynn]

Fantastic advice. I actually feel really validated by the 5 Points that you have brought up in this video. I dislike my own neck being twisted and turned and manipulated by therapists and so in turn prefer to work in a moderate, gentle approach with my own clients, using very little lubricant (I can't stand a slimy neck :p ). And the results I get this way are much better and my clients tend to be more enthused about their ROM and headaches gone with this work-with-the-body approach. In my 5 years as an LMT I have also dropped severe Triggerpoint techniques. I just don't find that putting the body in pain is that helpful - it just alerts the Nervous system to pain signals and makes the client more aware of their pain. I love a Myofacsial -Swedish approach, and resting on certain key Trigger points gradually into the massage, but only after the body has been warmed through long, broad strokes. For the Psoas I have always been reluctant to dive into that mass of organ tissue, and use it as a last resort for back pain too. I'll educate my clients on the nature of Psoas work and offer it as a possibility they can choose if other techniques are just not cutting it, but I always give them advance notice and never throw Psoas work into the session we are working in. ("Next time we may consider...") One fellow I was working with for several sessions was just not improving with his back pain (we had about 6 sessions ) and given his occupation (a tree trimmer who had fallen from trees multiple times) I explained Psoas work to him. The next session, he was ecstatic, his back no longer hurt, and that was the last time I worked with him because he felt his problem was fixed.

[@MassageSloth]

Wow Christiana, it sounds like we've had similar journeys! It took a long time, but I eventually grew comfortable with the idea of massage being easy, both for me and the client. It was less about forcing, more about allowing. And that psoas anecdote is a perfect example of why it's good to have a full tool box: Working with the related structures usually does the job, but sometimes you just have to get specific. And it sounds like your client went in with robust informed consent, which I feel is often missing from work with vulnerable areas. Thanks for the comment! (oh, and you should join us on the Facebook message board! facebook.com/groups/1793289647583837/ )

[@giftofgabbery]

One I’ve generally stopped is sub-occipitals while client is lying supinated. Also, I have approached trigger point work with more specific and much lighter pressure, holding for longer periods of time. One instructor I had in school was big on intense specific pressure. There are a number of reasons it doesn’t resonate with me, one being I’m convinced there was an element of intentional pain infliction that some therapists use to relieve personal tension. There’s also an idea some massage therapists hold that deep tissue involves causing people a certain level of pain. Anterior portion of neck these days I use much broader pressure, and the entire neck I don’t stretch aggressively.

[@brittanyfehlings6838]

I agree whole heartedly with neck flexion. I just learned this technique this week, and everyone has said it is not needed with how much we already flex our necks daily.

[@whateversuitsyou2]

love your videos. I have the same philosophies in my practice, that you teach/advocate in your videos!

[@kainoaimoniokdb6845]

Thank you.peace and light!

[@gowensbach2998]

This really needed to be said! I have been contimplating this very subject recently- especially regarding the neck,

[@Wemorethanjustrock]

You're so wonderful, Ian. I'm an LMT in Connecticut and learn so much from your tutorials. This particular video has helped me cool my jets. Lol.

[@MassageSloth]

Haha, glad to hear, Lorraine :) Over my ten years in this business, I've gone too far in one direction (trigger points, structural integration, etc) many times, having to pull myself back afterward. The most important lesson that I've learned is that, even as I was calibrating my massage style, my clients were still getting all the benefits of informed, kind contact. So, even if we're not perfect, we're still providing something great. Cheers!

[@stevenfriedler7546]

I hear that. I'm a massage therapist in CT as well, and although I graduated 10 years ago, my practice has been intermittent. I'm now looking to practice a lot more. I will say that I have become a bit of a CEU junkie as a result of not practicing regularly, and I have done a few since 2012. I was recently considering Structural Integration, but ultimately decided to do orthopedic massage because it really is a mixed bag of methods, and doesn't come off as indoctrination into one way of thinking. Plus, there's no need to go through expensive schooling all over again. Posture really is more of a result of how we use our bodies, and not all adaptations are bad. I was seeing a Rolfer, and she even told me the same thing. I really love your videos. Out of curiosity, where can you source good physical therapy literature?

[@suziebellk]

Excellent I have been watching a lot of your videos...as a student not yet certified I'm learning so much more than just the books.

[@gdcompton1920]

Since watching your videos, I've opted for more gentler techniques, especially in the neck. I started that after receiving an aggressive massage and stretch of my neck. I realized how it feels and how what I did before might have not felt great so I changed my techniques. I am trying to do that with the upper back too. It's so tempting to "go after" the painful areas of tension. I have to reign myself back and work slower, trusting what I'm doing is still effective. I do use trigger point therapy. I've found if effective in my body and it's helped clients I've had with stubborn pain in the traps. I've only tried to work psoas on one client but I don't feel confident enough in my skill level to do that work. Great list. I'm finding that some of the things we were taught in massage school are not "universal" techniques and shouldn't be used on every client in the real world. I enjoy your videos and I learn a lot from them. Thanks, Ian!!

[@MassageSloth]

I really appreciate hearing your experience Gina, and I'm glad the videos have been useful!

[@LEDANCETHERAPY]

While I am in alignment with most of what you said, there is one that I just completely disagree with and that's posture just because someone is isnt currently experiencing pain with a certain type of posture doesn't mean that that poor posture and the negative effects of it won't happen over years and years of bad posture causing degeneration and certain holding patterns in the body. so posture is huge it could be because I'm also a dancer I'm very aware of posture but that's something that will always take precedent and never just be laid back about not as important because there are very simple things that you can tell people to gradually help them retrain that poor posture and as far as giving feedback I always do it a teaspoon at a time and always try to give people very simplistic things that they can do in their every day life to just have an impact overtime in a positive way. Posture is important. Let's also take into account the physiological effects as well.

[@setapartforHim]

i totally agree with you. Have you read the new rules of posture by mary bond? its a great book and i like how she talks about posture in a holistic way and not just physical.

[@jilledwards3797]

I've been a massage therapist for 19 years. I stumbled on your channel and now have binge watched you for 2 days (between clients) So many things that you say really speak to me. I have even thought that somewhere in my training that I just missed something. I have abandon a lot of the techniques you discuss here because they just didn't feel right for me. I try to explain to clients that it isn't necessarily a "knot". I find it interesting how many therapists I have seen that thing that things that are bones are a "knot" The fact that clients shouldn't feel like I have beaten them when they leave my room. Thanks so much for putting so many of my thoughts into words for all of us to see. Keep up the good work.

[@MassageSloth]

I'm glad it resonated, Jill, and I'm honored that a therapist of your tenure found it worthwhile! If you'd like, join us on the forum (search "massage sloth clubhouse" on Facebook), it's nice to have like-minded MTs to keep us sane in a sometimes crazy business :)

[@burgiekyle]

you are my hero

[@cortesislandvacation]

Re: The posture .... You just perfectly articulated what I have thought ever since I studied massage therapy over 10 years ago. THANK YOU! I completely agree.

[@handsinknead77]

I totally get the part where you said that most times broad strokes and myofascial work can be a bit more effective than a full session of trigger point therapy. When I first learned TP therapy, I was all about it. I did, however get a few complaints that it was too much. So, I went back to Swedish practices with working in small areas of trigger points and no more than a minute on a point. I've been doing massage for over 13 years and have learned that most times less is more.

[@MassageSloth]

I've gone through the exact same thing! My massage was still effective, even when I was a bit hyperfocused on trigger point treatment, but I think that it's much more pleasant these days :) Thanks for the comment!

[@lukabotic]

When looking at idiosyncratic reactions to techniques one is best to look a DATA. Consider stating the likelihood of symptoms responding different techniques. Agreed on psoas illacus tfl relationship, consider discriminatory testing to target relationship of psoas tfl illacus AND rec fem to the issue. Also consider patho-anatomical vs neuro-physiological models for pain remediation and posture, sometimes we just provide a novel stimuli and that permits a step fwd. Been at this 30 yrs learned many things have seen many stupid / futile things. Great you recommend caution with cervical I don't introduce mobility or any substantial work there before collecting history and checking for VAO.

[@ricardoguerrero5440]

excellent points, tutorial, and way of describing the whys, thank you.

[@sharonszova2691]

you are such a lovely person - if I lived closer (Australia :) I would seek you out for my massage therapy xx good luck and keep up the great vids - thank you x

[@KrisT12890]

I recently took an oncology CEU and the doctor showed us pictures of damage to the intestines sustained from an MT trying to dig to get to the psoas.

[@alexandrineb7752]

A physio at my clinic does this. She tried it on me and it was so painful I had to tell her to back off. Never thought this practice existed until I saw it ! Psoas cannot be palpated but some still believe that.

[@observinthelaws]

I have received some psoas work and I have liked it and found it effective.

[@4144758]

Great advice on the Psoas belly stuff and stretches and shame

[@Tachyon111]

Amin. brother! I don't give homework at all now, I do refer to physio often. Cause they are equipped better. Plus, if you read McGill you will learn that you should not stretch for back pain (something we never learnt in school). I don't do Special tests. AROM and PROM are often enough. I don't use oil much, no kneading and petrissage ))))) 90% is myofascial release which works awesome!

[@jennyallan8905]

Thanks once again Ian. Do you know the psoas release from the orthobionomy method? I will never massage another psoas again in my life because of this simple-to-do, non invasive and super quick technique that you can perform on your clients clothed (yes, them and you!) but also teach them how to do for themselves. Thanks for your comment about post-treatment advice. I do about the same as you but was feeling guilty about it! I agree though, they never do any of it!

[@weycool4681]

Oh my, you and I are very similar in our practice. Especially Trigger Point treatment. Some therapists think every sensitive spot is a trigger point!!! And also, I no longer care about client's posture unless they are in extreme pain.

[@zonarosie]

Thank you for this insightful video. I watched one of yours a few years back and it really stuck in my mind - I think the "sloth" idea helps me slow down a bit in my work. Since starting my practice four years ago, I've had a complex about not knowing a lot of modalities. I've been trying to understand more about them, but in the meantime I've discovered that my basis of swedish massage is amazing and that the sheer power of caring touch and real listening is the hub.I still want to learn more - not sure if I want to move toward something like reiki or cranio sacral or myofascial release. any thoughts? Something I've let go of from my original training is the incorporation of too much movement and stretches. Most of my clients are busy and stressed. They seem to need/want minimal verbal contact. Stretching involves intentional mental/verbal collaboration and I don't ask that of them unless they really need relief in some area. I'll stay tuned, Arizona

[@MassageSloth]

I completely agree about the power of Swedish, and indeed of simple touch. That hour of caring contact that we offer is something that you can't find anywhere else in the healthcare world, and it's worth its weight in gold. As for branching out into other modalities, I definitely think it's worthwhile, if only because it will give more depth to your existing style. You may never use a Thai stretch or an craniosacral hold, but having learned about them will give you a deeper understanding of the body and of how to interact with it. As for recommendations, I'm a big fan of both craniosacral and myofascial release. I do recommend going in with a skeptical mind (there tend to be some dubious claims), but there is much to learn about how to apply slow, sustained contact in each modality.

[@averyspottswood9255]

The part about posture is wonderful.

[@Donna-S]

Your videos are such a breath of fresh air to a new LMT like me still trying to get on her feet. thank you so much! Any tips or tricks of the trade for clients with herniated/slipped disc issues? I guess besides the usual stuff I learned in school (no acute massage- Swedish /nmt/ etc for the surrounding muscles) .. I so appreciate your videos and input! :)

[@MassageSloth]

I appreciate the kind words, Donna! A couple thoughts on herniated discs: Many of these diagnoses are old, and many of them are based on presumption, or even self-diagnosis. When a client tells me they have a pinched nerve or slipped disc, I'll say, "when was that diagnosed?" If it's several years in the past, then you have absolutely nothing to worry about as far as direct work to the region. The injury is stable, and there's a strong possibility that the herniation has lessened or disappeared. Another possible answer is that there was never any formal diagnosis, in which case I'm prone to believe that the local soft tissue is to blame rather than a structural dysfunction. In any case, whether the injury is new or old, diagnosed or presumed: Avoid direct contact with any region that's prone to spasm at first, and work broadly to calm the entire area down. As the session progresses (and as you see that client over time), it's likely that you'll be able to work more directly with the sensitive regions that are giving them trouble. Don't worry about pressing directly on the hernia itself; because of the structure of the vertebrae and the thick fascia in the region, your ability to directly interact with a disc, even one that has herniated, is extremely unlikely!

[@Donna-S]

Great points, Ian. Thanks. How would you approach a client with an acute pinched nerve (radiating down leg for example) who books a deep tissue? If you don't mind me asking. Still work broadly to relax the area? I had one recently who seemed to keep insisting on more pressure and my approach was to offer heat packs and more general work to relax the back muscles, esp if the injury was recent and she hadn't been to her doctor. (Or maybe she just self diagnosed herself) thanks so much!

[@MassageSloth]

Good question! "Pinched nerve" seems to be a catch-all term that clients use when they have back/neck pain, and one that doctors seem to be fond of saying whenever a client comes in with an "out" back or stiff neck. I'm much more likely to blame strain and spasm. Even IF an impinged nerve is to blame, reducing the local tone will help. I describe my process in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qouxXoKurdWmeJY Start broad, and introduce more specific work and stretching as the client moves from spasm to stiffness (usually about a week after the onset). If a client wants more pressure like how you described, I'd be willing to give it a try, but not if I thought their pain/injury was acute. If it just came on and is tender to the touch, I'm going to work broadly and refrain from targeting the epicenter too much. Heat seems like a good idea. It sounds like you've got a good handle on it!

[@kristinaebert822]

Wow yep I've thrown all of those away as well! Especially the neck stuff when I receive massage I always tell the therapist please don't stretch my neck and be gentle it give me headaches for days!

[@buttergolem8584]

He's back ^^

[@h5y]

awesome video as always!!

[@SacredAmbulance]

Fantastic video

[@ErikWillekens]

I love this one, as it answers to some of my questions/intuitions about massage. You talked about giving exercises to a client and overloading them with information. Did You think about making a video about how to talk to clients - I find it important that clients can leave in a certain "atmosphere" or "state of being". What I say in the end of a massage can determine a lot on how people leave a massage and after relate to and "process" the massage. Have You got a video like this or would You be willing to make one?

[@MassageSloth]

I definitely want to make some videos on communication, with examples, when, how, how much, etc.! I'm planning on getting back into the swing of things soon, so this will go high on the list. Thanks for the thoughtful suggestion!

[@Vahryk]

That reminds me so much of my current experience 🤣👍 thank you Ian 😁

[@mvanwoersem]

Great advise! Thanks for sharing your experience :)

[@LazersNLeather]

I am not sure about the whole posture thing..because I definitely notice with my own body that if I am minding my posture while I am working/sitting etc that it takes a lot of pressure off of my neck. When I slouch and just don't use my upper body properly my SCM ache and I get headaches into my temples. Stretching out pecs/deltoids to help "open up" my chest also takes a lot of the pressure off my head and neck. I do agree that their lifestyle will always change how they stand but I think as a LMT you can educate about posture and ways to help with it. It's not going to fix itself in a few sessions of course but with you and them working together I think posture can solve a lot of problems that people are having body wise. Of course there are SO many other reasons for muscle pain but that is one factor I take into consideration.

[@MassageSloth]

That's fair! And I do think that working with and discussing posture can be fruitful, I just worry about it being the go-to explanation for all aches and pains. If a massage therapist were to be mindful of how widely posture can vary, and take into consideration the emotional element that people attach to posture, I think it can be part of a holistic approach to pain. I appreciate the comment!

[@bernadetteaislin9848]

What I do with my clients is, before performing a neck stretch, that standing up they show me their maximum extension of the neck (without overstrain) And I always use a towel to perform this procedure (I have noticed that using a towel the procedure can be more tender) I believe that in order for the person to reach a greater stretch of the neck, the person must perform activities such as yoga, which is something gradual and that is the person who manages the stretch and the time. Am I right if I do it that way?? Sorry my English 🙏 I'm not a native speaker

[@MassageSloth]

That sounds good, Bernadette! As long as you're not trying to force change and you're being gentle and mindful, I'm sure it feels great. Also your English is excellent 😁

[@MsLaurenPanda]

Agreed on posture. We can help with their pain but it will continue to bother them until they work on their every day postural awareness. It is a year-or many year process to strengthen the body and stretch out the correct areas in order to improve posture. WHen i entered massage school my body was a wreck. Head sooo far forward, weird kinks and intense pain/near blacking out when i turned my head in a funny way. After 1.5 years into the study i noticed my odd bursts of pain episodes went away 95% of the time. Along with the torticolis nearly balancing out. And TOS is still a part of my daily life but the symptoms have halved due to postural awareness, strengthening the mid-back muscles, and tuns and tuns of pec stretches. If there's a will there's a way. I was young so it was easy to reverse - iknow someone with 30 years of poor posture may take several years to reverse the postural conditions and also the mental states that come with these postures. Letting go of some heavy fears and depressions were also a big part of finding better posture. My family told me every time i came home from college that it seemed I had grown another inch(I feel my posture had improved to the point that i almost never slouched when standing!).

[@MassageSloth]

I agree with all of this, including how important the mental/emotional element is. I feel like part of the reason I slouched so much as a kid was that I was nervous and wanted to go unnoticed. Massages, stretching, and strength training definitely helped too :)

[@justinwycoff]

Great Video!

[@Drstephenstokes]

Great Great Stuff Here. I agree completely. Can you let me know what is the name of the mic you are using?

[@MassageSloth]

Thanks, Doc! I use a JK brand MIC-J lavalier mic plugged into a Tascam DR-05 voice recorder that I stick in my pocket. A little over a hundred dollars together, but the baseline noise is very low, and it's good at picking up full-sounding audio. The biggest adjustment is having to merge the separate audio track with your video, but some programs can do it automatically. If not, just clap and line up the audio spikes manually. Cheers!

[@bethqmount1160]

My mistake: So I realized that if the last massage was helpful for the client I too too often try to make this massage similar. Opps! Better to listen to what the body needs that day

[@elliealcala1897]

I would like to see a video about the psoas massage, at our clinic where I work at, they taught us where to find it but I personally don't like to work around that area for hip pain, is their a video you have for working hip and lower back pain?I would love to have a link please :)

[@MassageSloth]

Here's my psoas video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJDMlJ9vnKetgrM It's much less direct than the psoas work usually taught in schools, but I still find it effective. I've got several for low back and hip pain, but this one is the most recent: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qouxXoKurdWmeJY Cheers!

[@RAQUELMUN]

Thanks making these videos. I just found your channel and I think it's wonderful. I haven't seen all your videos but I was wondering if you have a video on how to prevent your arm flexors/extensors and wrists from hurting. I am relatively new in the business and I am starting to feel pain my forearms while I sleep at night. Thank you so much ! you might save my job which I love!

[@MassageSloth]

Hi! You might find this video on wrist pain useful: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZ7EgKuZg6p9ocU It covers wrists and forearms, so hopefully it'll get you started. You should also ask this question in our forum! Just search for "Massage Sloth Clubhouse" on Facebook.

[@HarmlessX]

Thank you! I hate when my neck is worked hard, I’m not an owl

[@adv0914]

Great advice. I'm very similar.

[@Giovanni.QuintonValentine]

Wonderful and so much depth thank you for your video on these topics :)

[@louiseredman4207]

Great video Ian, thankyou! A few of these things I was already starting to doubt in my own practice, so it was beneficial to hear your thoughts. Do you have a shortlist of recommended reading, either for these subjects or just your favourites in general? I'd be interested to know what's on your bookshelf.

[@MassageSloth]

Thanks Louise! It's actually been a while since I've gone on a massage book binge, so I'm woefully behind the times. I'll be trying to remedy that in the near future :)

[@dawnconyers5169]

Very helpful, thank you. I've abandoned a lot of this as well. Question for you: what do you think about doing micro work, gentle, not deep or prodding, along the lateral cervical spine? I took a class a few months ago that was purporting to work in a "dental hygiene" sort of way with the ligaments of the cervical spine, as well as some of the facets of the spinous processes (ones that theoretically one could access, indirectly...) and the levator scapulae and scalenes themselves and their attachments. Do you think this could posed a problem in otherwise healthy people--nerve or blood vessel or otherwise (of course avoiding the carotid artery). The instructor mentioned people feeling tired for a day or two after with the work, which he attributed to getting attention to an often overlooked area, relaxation, etc.

[@MassageSloth]

Hi Dawn! I think that, if done conscientiously and moderately, specific work on the bony prominences of the cervical spine can be good medicine. It wouldn't be one of my first-line treatments, but I could see slow, considerate work of this type being useful for clients with speech or swallowing difficulties, singers, etc. Despite the high volume of nervous, circulatory, and lymphatic tissue in the region, the neck is pretty resilient in healthy clients. My main caution is against aggressive, careless work. The work you're describing sounds like a useful tool to have in your toolbox!

[@dawnconyers5169]

+Massage Sloth That's what I was leaning towards, thanks for the confirmation and noted cautions.

[@beaya3165]

i don't know if i was a yogi in my past life but i always tell my clients to try incorporate yoga into their lives, its like a self massage blah blah blah and i usually get the same as you, the look of horror from them. I practice yoga myself and I always suggest yoga to my clients because i suffered from back pain for years with no relief and no doctor could tell me why. It wasn't till i did yoga that i had a complete recovery. My clients complaints usually are they don't think they are flexible enough for yoga or they just don't have enough time. I don't know what else to suggest. i really hate to see my clients in pain and i know massage isn't always affordable.

[@MassageSloth]

When it comes to activities, I've decided that all I can do is gently float the idea and let them do as they will. Even if my enthusiasm for yoga/walking/stretching doesn't get them to change their habits that week, it may help them make health-promoting choices down the line. Control what you can, let massage be your medicine, and let the rest go :)

[@beaya3165]

:D thank you

[@DZEyoyo123]

Would it be a good idea to get massage therapy right after visiting a chiropractor?

[@hollycaird2591]

Ha. We used to call that kind of assessment of anyone and everyone, everywhere "orthopaedic creeping".

[@MassageSloth]

Ha!

[@JustmeJoy7]

Yes, bad posture can cause pain in your body. Search The Egoscue Method. Or Pete Egoscue.

[@bethp3320]

Anyone else think this guy is super cute?

[@tortoisenhare]

Yep! Good looking and intelligent, a great combo :)

[@elizabethw.454]

Intelligence is sexy.

[@ronlawrence5635]

Beth Pierson Yes! My brother said he thinks so..

[@Ronniholt25]

Beth Pierson The hands and eyes are my favorite parts on a man. I think they can do more "damage" with those two than with anything else. He's a fine example of why. 😍

[@awrenzebkhan7319]

Beth Pierson why??

[@RinEMV]

Very interesting!

[@hristinahristova8606]

Hi Ian, could you please share with us what books you recomend to read like a Bible for the massage? Thank you

[@MassageSloth]

I've never found the perfect massage related book, but there are plenty that offer something worthwhile. For absolute beginners, I like The Massage Book by George Downing. It talks about the sensation and the flow more than technique, and I think that's a great place to start. For learning more about good places to press, I liked the Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by the late Clair Davies. While I disagree with some of the ideas about trigger point theory, it's an enjoyable journey of self-massage.

[@hristinahristova8606]

@@MassageSloth thank you very much, i will check them. Appreciate your time :) take care!

[@aspiresk8boarding]

What do you do with a client who's so overweight that they don't have a neck?

[@MassageSloth]

I hope to cover this in a future video, but: Work with what you've got. If I can't apply my hand in the specific angles or configuration that I use for other necks, I'll angle the technique in a similar direction and know that some of that pressure will be translated to the target area. The nice thing about myofascial release is that I'm rarely trying to strip out just one muscle or target a specific trigger point; superficial adipose tissue actually helps diffuse my pressure, allowing me to affect a greater area. As always, I recommend robust two-way communication with your client: Allow them to guide you, and follow their lead when it comes to finding areas of interest.

[@enayatzdeh6179]

What kind of school did you go to? Massage therapist are not supposed to do anything “aggressive” and at least in Florida, are not supposed to manipulate bone, do an assessment of ROM that falls into the scope of practice of Physical therapy, chiropractors or osteopaths.

[@mom2artists]

He actually went to school in Florida.

[@mom2artists]

I'm a student in Florida, and I watched Ian early on (incl this video) so I am very gentle with the neck, and never work the psoas (still in school.)

[@Saiege]

So if you do DT work a lot, how can I stop my hands from hurting since I clench them so much with so much force?

[@taoist32]

Use better body mechanics to utilize leverage better. No need to clench fists. That makes it far easier to cause yourself injury.

[@Saiege]

taoist40 I do. But I use my fist for about every body part, on every client. So doing that on repeat will tire your fists and knuckles quiet a bit.

[@MassageSloth]

Hi! I've got a video on how I use fists (which are my tool of choice as well): kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqfRnpJ_Z5imobs I actually use a completely loose fist when I work, no clenching involved. If you use a closed fist, switching to a loose open fist might feel really strange, but see if you can still apply pressure using your metacarpophalangeal joints (punching knuckles) without the fingers being curled in. My hand muscles are completely slack, and the only muscles I'm engaging are the ones I'm using to stabilize my wrist. If that becomes tiresome, you can close your other hand around your wrist to reinforce it. If open fist doesn't work for you, I encourage you to branch out and try some other tools for at least part of the time. Fingertips and thumbtips can be useful if done safely (see my video on applying more force: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hmKcdoGlisaKgdU ), as can one palm placed atop the other. And, of course, there's always good old elbows and forearms! Let me know if you have any followup questions.

[@Saiege]

Massage Sloth omg thank you. I try to not clench my fist's. In fact i have been trying really hard to use loose fist and use my knuckles but I feel like its still putting a lot of strain on my phalanges. I also have pain in my right wrist too so that tends to hurt when i use open fists as well. I totally forgot about the clenching of the wrist for support though. Will have to try that.I believe my wrist pain is from doing a lot of circumduction (with clenched fist) while doing neck work. It hurts to put pressure on it in certain ways. Use to I couldn't even push open a door without it severely hurting but that phase has since passed

[@bethqmount1160]

How tall are you? I am 5,4 and i do everything I can to have what I am applying touch to the client to be relaxed but ... This means I need more leverage. I often knee up on the table or work a across for certain angles, or use a stool. Some direct opposites of what I was taught in school. I have also worked on my shoulder range of motion. I have been bring my ribs down into alignment and opening my shoulders up so the transmit force through the shoulder joint. (Not posture but alignment)

[@nickmack8697]

i like it.

[@adriandanekennym.d.1185]

8:10 there is anatomical variation.

[@ziomals19]

"FOUNDATIONS OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE " do you know this book ?

[@fairydust8082]

❤️

[@SachinKumar-sb4tz]

From india

[@oxana572]

Do you know means hiragana and kanji behind you? 😄

[@MassageSloth]

I'm embarrassed to admit that I don't have the faintest clue... and now I'm worried 😂

[@jendaniel2459]

what do they mean?!

[@KrisT12890]

And if you haven't figured out, I'm binge watching youtube. Yep. No life.

[@myoman1977]

great video. i completely agree about the neck. there are things you have yet to discover about psoas and posture. I'm sure you will find them; just keep an open mind. i also think you ha swung too far the other way woth posture. you are still too black and white with it.

[@MassageSloth]

I'll definitely keep an open mind, and you may be right that I've become too much of a posture whateverist! My current thinking is that attempts to correct posture can relieve pain, but that it's incidental to any postural changes rather than a cause-effect relationship. I'm willing to be wrong, and I look forward to contradicting some of this stuff in another 5 years :)

[@wellbeing7607]

Previous clients will be looking for a refund or more?.