How to work with ticklish massage clients

[@MassageSloth]

Just to add: If someone has an area that they just don't want touched - don't touch it! No matter what we might think we "need to do" when it comes to working with pain, there are always alternatives, and always ways of working nearby that can be just as effective. As always, I invite you to think myofascially. If a client doesn't want contact with their anterior neck, for instance, how could you still talk to their nervous system about that region? I might make contact with their pecs and posterior/lateral neck. These are concepts to explore. More soon!

[@tearsofjoyforallthispain]

I really want to thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for all of the great information (especially thoracic outlet syndrome) that you have very generously shared for free. Seriously, thank you.

[@bodyworksdwnyc]

@massagesloth yes! It's better to work "with" clients than "on" clients. If you try to create conflict over what's "best" for them they are more likely than not going to tighten up and guard themselves. Much better to work on the area indirectly at first to provide some immediate relief and establish that you are safe to work with and can get results. Once they feel the results and feel safe they are usually going to be far more open to letting you work on areas they were previously less willing to. You can always gently talk through why helping them to break through the barrier will help them in the long term and slowly expose the area to more and more contact over the course of a few sessions. Usually by session 3 or 4 you'll be able to work in most of the places that a client wasn't keen on at first.

[@TaushaTW]

Thank you.

[@isabelladamico9725]

You, sir, are the Bob Ross of Massage.

[@mariamarquez1361]

Real talk

[@carolinasoulshine8949]

I had a beautiful lady yesterday. She told me she was ticklish and was just super sensitive to touch. When we first started, all was airplane :) we laughed together here and there and before u know it she was fine and we talked literally the whole time about "deeper stuff" so was therapeutic for both!

[@TobbitLOG]

New massagesloth video, yay!!!!!!!

[@bodyworksdwnyc]

Excellent work! Using the smooth soft entry into and out of pressure (airplane landing and takeoff) is great to practice with any and all contact with all clients and will totally help avoid both a tickle and a bracing response. It also allows the body to more easily accept deeper pressures without the therapist having to work as hard. Better for everyone 😊

[@carolynwarfield1057]

On behalf of my partner, who is both very ticklish and often spastic due to M.S., THANK YOU! Gradual touch is very helpful for folks like him.

[@benjaminoupillovers]

I started doing private massage classes for couples and people who wander if massage therapy is for them. When I talk, I always ask myself "how would Ian would say this?". My best advice is always "be predictable!" you will offer a much better touch sooner. thanks for the great vid!

[@TaushaTW]

I’ve been waiting for this video. I hope you are well. God bless you.

[@lilianengandhi3912]

As massage therapist, I alway check on my clients before the session if their may be ticklish. Great video

[@BalancedMassageTherapy]

I loved having them make initial contact approach. I can’t wait to try these techniques.

[@bluestonecottage642]

I absolutely love you videos! Helpful and informative.

[@ollerpops]

I’m so glad you made a video for us! I have learned a lot from you.

[@Freakazojd]

If you approached my feet like that, I'd be in danger of delivering a donkey kick, LOL! But that is because my ankles are *ridiculously* ticklish. I love the foot "hugs" and "start where the ticklishness isn't" especially, but lots of great advice here. The broad approach is also great; I'd add that I especially prefer a broad initial approach, and that the airplane landing only works if you don't "graze" the skin. Firm and intentional, right? Thank you so much for taking the time to make this video, I wish more therapists were informed on accommodating ticklish people! (Also, I can absolutely tickle myself. Being ticklish is awful.)

[@pamcee6813]

Glad to see you back 😊

[@krissbrown3241]

Thank you for the video!!! All of your information is so helpful and valuable!!

[@brittanyjaeger3606]

I am insanely ticklish.. I've always been terrified of massage but a friend got me a gift card and I don't want it to ho to waste. I just want to say, once you trigger the ticklishness it makes other spots respond too that weren't before. It makes everything on high alert.

[@sayhello2jen]

Hey Ian-We miss you and hope you are well.

[@taochi100]

Awesome video Mr Sloth

[@FreeMeLife]

Would you mind breaking down the timing of a 55 minute massage. I feel rushed and like the massage is incomplete. Ty for all of your videos...they are a frequent reference and helps so much.

[@zz-0]

I would also love a video on how to work on very muscular clients ! I didn't get to practice on muscular people/athletes in school and the first time I got one I was overwhelmed and didn't know how to handle it and felt like I did badly :(

[@MassageSloth]

I'll think on that! But for now my advice is to ignore how bulky and visible those muscles are. Find their preferred pressure, work as you normally do, and you'll do great. If you'd like to talk more about it, join us on the forum (search "massage sloth clubhouse" on Facebook)

[@unicorn3025]

Hi Um Sorry to ask What about the stomach area

[@folethazucenabanares7447]

Thanks for sharing I learned a lot for the technique from you, watching from Cyprus. .

[@firstsur451]

I really like your voice and appearance

[@curtistim]

I was worried, no films for a couple of months 😅. And, may i ask, the wooden poles on the ceiling?

[@noteventherain]

Would you be willing to make a video on your massage philosophy (on a more pragmatic physiological level; for exmaple, I'm curious why you focus on fascial manipulation and letting the nervous system slowly reset to the new norm rather than manipulating tissue more aggressively). There are so many approaches to massage and I'd love to hear the scientific and experiential rationale behind yours, because it sounds very rational but less common than what I'm used to

[@andersonnunes7467]

On which website can I find out the dates and locations of event fairs about massages or therapeutic products across Europe?

[@eric18993]

Great video. I havent seen these informations on others videos

[@genglin3519]

Hey Ian! Do you have massage sloth merchandise such as T-shirt or cups?

[@energydrinks8502]

Brilliant, thanking you kindly

[@VionaSulo]

I like you video i am from malaysia

[@zz-0]

Could you please do a video on massage for whiplash? 🙏🏻

[@trangnguyenthi3638]

Thanks for sharing today

[@shelberz1]

Thank you

[@yasminebjorkblad6237]

Great ideas! :)

[@oflittleconsequence]

I wonder if Jules Winnfield watched this... I'm about to watch because my spouse is one of the most ticklish people I have ever touched.

[@trashytrevino]

I have clients more ticklish when I work in their glutes than feet

[@MassageSloth]

I've noticed that too! I find that glute ticklishness responds really well to broad and gradual contact, even when working deeply.

[@chetanvinayak6799]

@@MassageSloth my name is Chetan I am extremely very very ticklish from head to toe aspeasly on my barefeet I love being tickled I am gay nice to meet you you can tickle me anytime

[@Stardustparadise418]

Where is he? Did he die?

[@vasiliszaxaropoulos8726]

😮😮😮😮😮