Massage Tutorial: Arms and hands, deep tissue techniques, draping

[@Ashley-on4ln]

As a massage student the arms are the most intimidating to me idk why and this was amazing!

[@DannytheMullins]

I'm a massage therapy student going to do my practical exam tomorrow and this video has been really useful in answering some issues I have had working the arms. Thanks for posting! :)

[@humaneleaguelancPA]

Ian, I want to express my humble gratification for all of your wonderful video's. I just graduated massage school the end of June 2017. You are an inspiration and I love your relaxed style, it reminds me to keep my pace slow and steady. You have helped me in so many ways. Thanks again for your gift to all of us newbie's! Peace and Blessings.

[@MassageSloth]

Thanks so much Karen, and congratulations on your new career!

[@jryder78]

Dude, what a nice little hand/arm routine. I love it! Thanks for your videos, they're all awesome!

[@meganmccusker7359]

I am forever grateful for your videos. I most love that you show draping techniques for a seamless experience. Having the explanation of all that you do has made it easy to learn and apply correctly. The skills I've implemented have helped so many clients and kept my books full. Thank you thank you thank you ❤️🙏🏽❤️🙏🏽

[@MassageSloth]

Much appreciated, Megan!

[@chrisdove1424]

This is great. I hope you never stop making videos Ian! I have incorporated your techniques into my massages and people love them.

[@MassageSloth]

Much appreciated!

[@amandamayhue9057]

I'm in massage school, and these videos have helped me more than you can imagine... Thank you so much. I also enjoy your very soothing voice. Keep up the vids!

[@sativadva]

One of the best videos you’ve done!! Seriously. I feel like ANYONE can become a master at arm massage by using these easy techniques 🥰

[@awkwardzoltar3529]

Thank you. The way you explain things makes me think you’re a genius.

[@risingmoonponyfarm]

I love it when I watch one of your videos and find that I’m already doing a lot of what you do! Love your techniques!

[@twinmonsters]

I always had an awkwardness treating the arms. I loved the video! I think I can do much better with the arm now. Thank you for sharing!!!

[@magalir.535]

Who the f*** was the one person that disliked this video?!? It's AWESOME! Thank you so much!

[@kierenthomson8464]

When I went to Hervey Bay TAFE, that c shape you made with your hand. We called that the C-scooping motion.

[@LindyKing]

As a former "prone arms" kind of therapist I have seen the light Ian Harvey and I (and my clients today and many more to come) thank you for your insights on "supine arms" !!

[@MassageSloth]

Lindy King Awesome :) Preventing stuffy sinuses, one video at a time!

[@TheKaticus]

Love you Ian you’re an inspiration thanks for making these techniques accessible!!

[@asimp333]

Best arm massage techniques yet!

[@TheRizzler_1]

I’m not a massage student or therapist, I was just interested in general techniques but watching this video made me relaxed lol. Unintentionally asmr maybe? Either way your technique, voice, and posture invoke calm in my opinion. Thanks for the video!

[@swatiprasad4515]

My mom arms were paining , I did this massage after which she was in extreme relief , she kept on thanking me for doing it so well 😂😂 thank you ❤️

[@ludwigvonn9889]

One thing i see with all MT's including me... WE GO TOO FAST... i always have to remind myself that i need to slow down, its supposed to be relaxing .........................

[@rabinagurung9571]

Same here

[@marischneider6199]

Don’t you think this is relative from person to person and a matter of perspective? I personally like faster movements . Too slow bores me.

[@saritaylor3648]

Why is it I go through all the massage tutorials and always come right back here

[@dinametaweh6431]

Yes I've been wanting more ideas for arms! Your awesome,but you already know that.

[@MassageSloth]

+Dina Metaweh Aw shucks :)

[@kelseashields7445]

Thank you for this! I've been trying to come up with new techniques to use, especially on the arms and you definitely gave me some good pointers, thanks!

[@90paiz]

Very nice draping techniques and excellent hand/finger gripping techniques, but most of my clients would consider the massage is Swedish! For them, Deep Tissue means they want to feel it on their interosseous membrane!

[@UniqueMasterpiece927]

this is PERFECT!!! exactly what I was looking for! :-D :-D :-D I'm so happy right now

[@MassageSloth]

UniQueMaSterPiecE1 Awesome!!

[@dawnsmith6420]

LadyMischief h6666

[@BUDDYCB4]

She’s smiling…that’s a really good sign that you’re doing something right!

[@naturopath72]

Thank you so much for your videos. I love to learn something new.

[@eunseojeon75]

Can I see the contents of the massage for the disabled with cerebral palsy?

[@simplici-tstemple4567]

I love that draping!

[@ILLaJ805]

Love your videos! I wish your channel nothing but success! Happy Holiday's!

[@Sam..123]

I do a lot of massage with the clients sitting. Any tips on how to adjust these techniques, and others for sitting?

[@kaileelewis6854]

I cant wait to try that deltoid technique! Lots of helpful nuggets, thank you!

[@dansulx]

Thank you for your inspirations. For some time I have been looking for videos describing arms massage. I am interested in Swedish massage but I do not like the practice where there is a client's arm bended and the palm laid on the opposite shoulder during the triceps massage. I find it a bit awkward for the client and for me as well. Your procedure is much more acceptable for me! I wish you had a lot of satisfied clients.

[@andreholisticwellnessnutri5095]

Great vídeo... I normally work the arms with the client facing down, it's good to learn a different way to work with the arms

[@JBthree24]

Also needed an update on my arm routine as well! Thank you for the suggestions !

[@daniellebaer7166]

Thank you ! Your wonderful 👏

[@Aimee03110]

Hi can you do a video on doing massage while the lmt is seated in a roller chair? Some of the best lmt’s I’ve had did this - and I’m a lmt with bad foot pain and would like tips on doing massages while I’m seated

[@fatimaespinosa1994]

Lovely!! Thanks Ian ♥️

[@twinklethimothy7760]

You are professional 👏 👌 🙌

[@eireenmolchanova2594]

Really nice❤ I like it

[@kjake555]

I love watching your videos! I pick up something new every time I watch or re-watch a segment. I was wondering if you would do a video on how to get clients to stop holding during a massage. Most seem to hold at the arms and neck. I use some physical queues like rocking or shaking and some verbal queues like "be spaghetti" (never "relax") but it never seems that effective. Do you have any tips?

[@MassageSloth]

+Kelly Jacobus This would make a great video! I like your approach, that seems to do the trick most of the time. Otherwise, I find that cradling the body part as completely as possible tends to do the trick. For instance, when plucking up the wrist, also place a firm hand at the inner elbow, taking control of the whole limb. I also find it useful to apply some massage as I move the body part: Petrissage at the trapezius as I move the arm, or compression of the posterior hip as I manipulate the leg. A Thai massage workshop can be invaluable for getting a good felt sense for these moves. Mostly, though, I don't worry about it too much :) If I client wants to hang onto their head, it's probably a response that's deeply ingrained, and it might take a number of sessions before they're able to hand over partial control. They'll still get a great massage in the mean time. Great question and suggestion!

[@tashf4071]

This is awesome! I have a client whose forearms are like rocks but I suspect she has EDS which would explain why!

[@jimmykaming]

nice work, good techniques

[@hadarosa2049]

Thank you I like how you explain .. I will apply it to my patients one more to your channel

[@jeanettejones8208]

Lovely. Thank you

[@helenkennedy4661]

Great tips 👍 💯

[@Deerector]

Great upper extremity work. Loved it!

[@savannahlast7033]

Tysm this is for my mum

[@ollieaced]

holy moly this was a good video.

[@Mend.N.Grow.Wellness]

You're awesome. Thanks for the transitional insights

[@troymceachern1844]

Love how you teach!! Thank you.

[@fonteaujacqueline6030]

What you do ici she Gate pain on shouldrs ?

[@roytipones8493]

Great technique

[@Benknowlton]

You’re great at this, thanks

[@wincentthomas6350]

Very good

[@tessacanzona610]

Great video! Thanks :)

[@E-Kat]

Could you recommend exercises for someone recovering from a brain aneurysm, please?

[@weweipp]

he uses that colour green for the blanket because it’s soothing the nerves, but sometimes he just completely covers them makes you kinda twist your phone cause you got no idea what’s happing untill a few seconds in an found out.😂

[@alanacorrie5853]

Thank you for sharing your greatness

[@glopio7538]

I love your video.

[@vintage1950]

I wish I had a friend like you 😂

[@cariad81]

Woah.. this is the perfect massage, not light touchy rubbish lol

[@brigitteanitaturner3734]

can you do it please for capper tunnel

[@godsown4683]

Thanks alot but they second last movement is hard to do on people with alot of upper arm fat

[@LeePNLB]

What do you recommend when the client is large enough that his arms cannot rest on table (even shifted right or left)? I've tried creating an extension with me, seated, and a pillow across my lap but there's scant leverage. I'd appreciate your insight.

[@MassageSloth]

I haven't tried them myself, but I've heard good things about the "bolster side arms" from Custom Craftworks. They add about 5 inches to each side of the table, and should be enough to accommodate most larger clients. I'm considering getting a set myself, because I hate the thought of a client not feeling completely comfortable on the table. Let me know if you give them a try!

[@crystaldunham2331]

Thanks so much this was amazing

[@jessicakahan5951]

I needed this! Thank you for posting!

[@grahamthedrummer8297]

Awesome video!

[@fortunatejmetiso1579]

This is very great video... Question is do you have to start massage from your forearm then move to the upper arm? or any other way?

[@MassageSloth]

I do typically start with the hand, then the forearm, and then the upper arm, but I honestly couldn't tell you why :) Any order is fine as long as you're thorough, I think. Thanks for the kind words!

[@fortunatejmetiso1579]

+Massage Sloth Thank you😊

[@sophyvicente3394]

So helpful

[@MsSquiddy11]

These are great tips, Ian! I really like how you manipulate the client's arm into different positions to access the structures you're treating, rather than leaving the arm lying static on the table. I'd like to incorporate more of this into my practice. However, I'm finding it difficult to achieve the deep pressure that's sometimes needed (for muscle stripping to the biceps and forearm flexors/extensors, for example) without the leverage of the table to push down into. Do you (or anyone else) have any advice?

[@LadyCaramelle2012]

I personally have found it very helpful to try treating from different angles as a therapist in conjunction with moving the client's limb. Something like biceps stripping can performed by standing by the client's head and stripping proximal to distal, or standing beside the client with their arm abducted and supported by one hand around the triceps and stripping distal to proximal, or standing by the hip of the client stripping distal to proximal. Try to play around with moving your own body and your client's limb and see what works best for you.

[@allisoncore9470]

I find laying the clients forearm along my forearm I can create leverage that way. I then use my other arm to apply the strip to the forearm. By going this i can keep the clients elbow slightly flexed and they feel supported by my arm under theirs

[@MsSquiddy11]

That's a really helpful tip. I definitely need to get more comfortable with manipulating the client's body into different positions so I can use my leverage more effectively. Thanks!

[@MsSquiddy11]

Totally makes sense. I'll play around with this some more. Thanks!

[@MassageSloth]

Great stuff y'all, I really like the idea of draping their forearm along mine, and the angle advice is on point. If you find that you need to apply more pressure or for a sustained period, I use the table when I can. The extensors are fairly easy to access while the client is prone: I stabilize their wrist with one hand and use a soft fist from distal to proximal, stopping just short of the medial epicondyle (I want to be careful of the ulnar nerve). If you'd like to add some movement, ask them to slowly clench and unclench a loose fist. For the extensors, I'll do the same while they're supine, but I'll start with their wrist cupped in my hand rather than letting it stay on the table. This keeps me from squishing their anterior wrist into the table while I glide from distal to proximal, and it allows me to draw the forearm up toward the ceiling as I travel. By the time I reach the lateral epicondyle, I've brought the elbow into slight flexion. This just looks more comfortable to me, and it allows the client to do some gentle wrist movement as I glide.

[@hollyfavorito8534]

Thank you for your videos, massage sloth! I find them very helpful. How would this technique work with a client with large arms? Or an elderly client?

[@MassageSloth]

+Holly Dawson Much the same way, but with larger clients, you may need to be satisfied with affecting less of the arm with each stroke. Much of this can be done with the arm laying on the table, in case you want to substitute a hand or fist for the petrissage. By the same token, you can have the client flex/extend their wrist while you work, freeing up both of your hands. For very elderly clients, keep in mind that the skin on the hand and forearm can become thin and fragile, so work slowly and mindfully. Thanks for the questions!

[@luxe-zone-butterfly_]

Love, love, love ur vidz!

[@celmapereira2611]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing!

[@magynarvaez5693]

I loved 😊 me encanta cómo explica . Gracias 🙏

[@al.g9534]

love u 💚 you're awesome! 🤩

[@Marie-dh6mu]

This is amazing!

[@Gigiroo]

It’s so hard when the client doesn’t relax 😢Summer is a good client 😅 What are some ways you can control their tension in their hands?

[@MassageSloth]

I talk a bit about that here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/onu7q5mgf6iFfLM

[@shadowqueen4624]

What did you mean by traction?

[@MassageSloth]

Basically pulling a body part to create decompression at a joint. I imagine I was talking about pulling on fingers in this video; if so, it should be done just enough to feel nice, but not enough to potentially crack the joint or anything like that. A gentle tug.

[@saritaylor3648]

ian i have a lady come to me with her pinky and ring finger pulled towards her palm and stuck there i researched this andcome up with ulnar claw. have you come across this ?should i refer to a physical therapist, she also has extreme pain around ribs brings her arm towads her chest she had rib xray found no broken bones . imassageher she felt worse she just rang me she said she had a coughing fit something popped and her pain released abit. i know its a doozy , a real head scratcher what would you do??

[@MassageSloth]

Definitely sounds like a complicated situation. The 4th and 5th digit contracture could be from nerve issues, or possibly from a connective tissue problem (see: Dupuytren's contracture, which is my main suspect). If the doctor determines that it's the latter, work with the palm and play with finger mobility as you massage, but don't feel like this is something you can "break up." The connective tissue involved is usually quite thick. While you might reduce the discomfort related to it, it may take surgery or an extensive PT regimen to restore her finger mobility. As for the rib pain, I would work very broadly with that, slowly and gently working with the ribs from a lot of different angles. See the serratus video I have coming out tomorrow for more! Keep the duration and intensity low and see if she has a better reaction. If she still has adverse effects after you make some adjustments, she may need to wait on massage until after she's had some underlying issue resolved. In any case, I do recommend that you refer her to her doctor for more evaluation and possible referral to a physical therapist. Best of luck!

[@funyjoyappel]

Do you ever massage the arms from the other side, client on their stomach?

[@MassageSloth]

I do! It's a great way of working with the anterior forearm without using the thumbs. I really need to show that in a video. Thanks!

[@clairkinsman6648]

Thank you for the video, very. Helful😀

[@kylepowpow]

So helpful thank you!

[@vijayalaxmi4168]

Sir, I am having severe left hand cuff pain and thumb pain . I think it is due to using mobile. Can I do massage myself and what is the remedy for this pain? Please reply.... thanks

[@lightheart144]

amazing, thank you!

[@carimoscatelli7077]

Muy buen video! Gracias!

[@luxe-zone-butterfly_]

Thank u so much for sharing!

[@malecsmassage316]

Thank you, great!

[@yengsabio5315]

To the model: Hello too! 😊

[@ashleyjordan8345]

Am I the only person that saw him put his hand under the drape? Maybe I'm old fashioned but I learned that was an absolute NEVER.

[@noboniakternoboniakter3398]

How it possible hit your hand and pain my arm and anger also..💪

[@awkwardzoltar3529]

So you give them a hand shake and then you walk them back towards their head.

[@savannahlast7033]

$$You are the best$$!!!!!!

[@parva145]

Very beautiful 🤩

[@sajeevsoman7813]

❤️

[@DiamanteDea]

Cute and smart😳😳

[@user-bv3lr3en2q]

I want my full time job to be a massage dummy

[@laddaforbes7465]

🥇👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@marxvaldez2699]

??

[@marxvaldez2699]

😡😡

Milk me daddy