Where did Rachael go? She have her own channel?

Jabber Wocky Actually it does

It's called ASMR. Look it up.

I bet you're killing it, Olivia 🙌 If you'd ever like to troubleshoot or talk about that rushing phenomenon, I'd love it if you'd post in the forum: facebook.com/groups/1793289647583837/

Much appreciated. Thank you

I don't sweat it :) Thanks for the kind words!

Great to hear, thanks Molly!

Hi Ashlyn! I have a video on that here: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/ldORgtuUs6uum5c.html You're right that it can be easy to get into the habit of using the palm for most techniques because it allows for easier myofascial traction. My solution is to watch the angle, and to frequently substitute a soft fist. I also try to use my forearm when possible, but that's one I'm still working on (12 years later...). Thanks so much for the kind words!

I think that's great that you're experimenting with receiving massage again, and I'm so sorry about that terrible experience. This might be something that you're already engaged in, but I encourage you to talk this out with a counselor or psychologist - they might have some ideas for how to process that past experience, and how to safely integrate massage into that journey. Be kind to yourself, and yes, take pride in your courage!

@@MassageSlothHey Ian! Thanks for your reply! I really appreciate it. I also told another MT lady friend that I have and she said it pains her to hear about people having bad experiences and that it shouldn’t be that way. She actually has a background managing spas and also teaching massage programs, and has had to fire employees who’ve worked under her and discipline students up to and including expulsion from the MT program altogether because of misbehavior on their part. She also told me that she’s had some clients, mainly male, that have acted inappropriate towards her too.

ventura Mcginty I am a licensed Neuromuscular Massage Therapist located in L.A. 17 years treating with Myofascial Release. Come see me www.sacredearthwellness.com

Thanks Juliana! I'm not teaching CEs at the moment, but it's something I'm considering. I'll announce it like crazy when I do :)

Redhot Ruby What kind of mobilization techniques would you like to see? And thanks for the kind words!

Hi Ian harvey , thank you for your reply I was looking for mobilizations techniques like for joints , shoulder different types it will be great if you have in up comeing. Thanks

+TheArtofThings When I'm doing a relaxation massage, I'll typically work on the back and chest with the arm in different positions, and I will mobilize the scapula just a bit. I may also throw in some femur rotation as I work with the gluteal region, especially if the client has a tight low back. I'll do more when a client has specific needs (see my clothed massage routine for hip pain, coming up this Monday). That said, while I do value working on the body while it's in lots of configurations, I don't do a lot of mobilization for its own sake, or to increase flexibility. I'm trying to give the nervous system lots of interesting new stimuli, not get the arm in a position that it doesn't usually assume. That's just me, and lots of massage therapists have success by incorporating a focus on range of motion. That said, I do purposely limit my mobilization of the neck. I don't stretch it over to one side as I press the contralateral shoulder, or lift the head into an epic flexion stretch. I've seen too many clients report neck/headache pain following MTs doing that, or (heaven forbid) dizziness/faintness. While I do draw the head from side to side as I work, and I don't shy away from the anterior or lateral neck, I do respect the very rich nervous and vascular components that are present. I haven't found a way of stretching the neck while properly safeguarding those structures. Again, many therapists disagree and see success with neck mobilization! I kind of got off on a tangent :) So: Yes to getting the arm moving as you work with the back and chest! See my arm massage video for how I manipulate it, if you like. I also do some fun (and gentle) work in my frozen shoulder video. Thanks for the question!

Hi Mihaela! Massage therapist is a term frequently used here in the US, and it's largely regulated by state law. For instance, in Florida and Colorado, two places that I've called home, you can't call yourself a massage therapist without the proper state license. This is different all over the world. I'd check with your local laws, but the safest bet would be to use the term listed on your certificate. Cheers, and thanks for the kind words!

Absolutely! If a client finds that they get rebound headaches/migraines following massage, I would be incredibly cautious with neck and shoulder work, especially fine trigger point style work. I would limit the duration as well, keeping that work to just a few minutes the first session. As the sessions progress, I would experiment with greater duration and intensity, and back off once we stopped getting good results (or if I provoked a headache). The neck can often be in the precarious position of being tight enough to cause problems, but sensitive enough that direct work can cause reflexive tightening. Working with those clients takes patience and experimentation. Great question, and definitely something I'll include in my next headache video! P.S. Doing reflex work on the hands and feet sounds like a great idea!

Great Ian thank you for your professional feedback, I really appreciate it as I have my first session with this client today and been doing some research. We actually did agree to start with half an hour and was going to do precisely what you recommended, foot and hand reflex points. I will let you know how it goes and yes would be great to hear more about your experience and knowledge around this topic! Thanks again for taking your time to answer in detail, I can't afford to study more yet but your videos are something I keep watching whenever I can!

P.S I also have been experimenting with techniques you shared on your videos with great success :) Thank you!

Sounds awesome, glad to hear that it went well! And good job following your instincts :)

You can definitely, 100% receive massage. Any experienced massage therapist will have encountered just as much (or more!) body hair, and will have ways of working with it. For instance, I swap out my massage oil for massage gel (doesn't seem to disappear amid the hair) and sometimes do some of my work through the drape. That latter strategy basically stops me from gliding at all so that I can really hone in for some trigger point work or what have you. So basically, look for someone with a few years of experience, and feel free to shoot them an email asking if they have strategies for dealing with body hair. The right massage therapist will respond with enthusiasm and a plan. Good luck!

Same here, so my strategy is to either convince them to schedule a longer session next time, and/or to tell them about how I'd like to spend most of the time on their problem area. If they're on board, then I might spend a full 45 minutes on the head/neck/shoulders, and then just a quick tour of the back. Not ideal because I would like to work more broadly than that, but it can be more effective for some people given limited time.

@@MassageSloth yea, same idea for me as well. i work at a more mild spa type place and sometimes they want full body, plus a focal point, plus a foot scrub all in an hour lol. but i hear ya

That's how I was doing it in this video. I've since found that I don't necessarily need to do that part; by just making contact with a region of high sensitivity, especially in a painless way, I find that I can usually resolve that pain referral just as well. For a massage therapist, that might mean gently and slowly "ironing out" those areas in the upper traps. If you're planning on doing work on yourself, I recommend gently holding those sensitive points as you slowly and subtly turn your head from side to side. Headache can be a tricky thing, and too much work can just intensify the situation. Realize that you always have access to yourself, and that we tend to be harder on ourselves than we would be with anyone else. So, be gentle, and only do a little bit each day (e.g. a single 5 minute session of working with those points). If that offers no relief, I do recommend consulting a specialist.

He looks like Danil Medvédev :D

I'm not familiar with extended vertigo like this. My first thought is that it has to do with neck positioning during massage. If your neck is left in an uncomfortable position for an extended period, it can compress certain blood vessels or nerves enough to cause dizziness or fainting. By the same token, overly aggressive massage and stretching to the neck can prompt those same reactions. Finally, there might be something about the face-down position, which is fairly unique to massage. If I were your massage therapist, I would try finding the most neutral and comfortable neck position possible, I would avoid approaching your neck too directly or intensely, and I would limit that face-down time. You may also have more success with side-lying massage, or even chair massage. If you choose to give it another try, starting with a half hour session might be a good way of testing the waters. Best of luck!

@@MassageSloth good answer massage sloth

I'm afraid I don't know anyone in the area! If you'd like to try some self-massage, this might help: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/esBdfMl_rraqiIE.html Discontinue if you have any increased pain or dysfunction, and consider seeing a dentist for a consultation (a jaw splint can be a big help if you might be grinding your teeth, for instance). Good luck, and do continue pursuing your medical options!

+Lonem Panda Then how would that part be included if it wasn't recording?

thats the joke

Spencer Wattamaniuk Oh, honey...

Also..with horses there are signs we look for since they can't tell us vocally. Fidgeting, change in breath, yawning, blinking, ect...

I bet you have amazing client tracking skills!

@@angelicaharwell3062 do you watch the animal cracker Dr Doug with rescue horses? Would love to see videos of you massaging horses too if you ever felt like filming 🙂

@@angelicaharwell3062I look for those same signs in my humans 😉

Was I using jojoba oil in this video? If so, I like "hobacare" brand. It's a little pricey, but it stays good forever, and a little goes a long way.

A pin-and-stretch is just a technique where you pin a muscle in place and then put that area into stretch. An example would be to grab a hunk of muscle on your upper shoulder/back (the trapezius) and then move your head gently from side to side. The movement adds a new dimension to the massage and can give you better results. As you try this, be gentle and avoid anything that causes increased tension or pain.

@@MassageSloth thank you very much!

+John Leonard Yeeaah, they do that :) I rarely apply much pressure while they're in that configuration. Glad you appreciated the video!

John Leonard I have the same issue with all of my distal falanxes and it hurt if you don't know how to massage

I have, and I plan to make a video on that soon. My strategy for that is usually to avoid trigger point work (some clients with fibromyalgia will have had success with it, but I find it tends to exacerbate pain and spasm), to work slowly and broadly, and to think about outcomes over the course of 10 sessions rather than trying to accomplish my goals in one or two sessions. I envision a nervous system that is easily sensitized, and I let everything else follow from there.

They bang fo sho