Massage Tutorial: Using forearms/elbows effectively

Рет қаралды 399,243

9 жыл бұрын

My new book is out! It's called Massage Is Weird: massagesloth.com/book/
Want to use your elbows during a massage, but don't know how to make it feel "right"? Worried that you can't feel the structures that you're working on?
First, let your forearm work be as flowing as any other stroke. Conform to the surface under your tool, and let your working surface be as relaxed and soft as possible. As I demonstrate in the video, turning your hand downward (pronating the wrist) can often make the different between "ouch" and "ahh."
When using the tip of your elbow (the olecranon process), consider surrounding it with a comforting hand. This can soften and broaden the experience for your client, all while giving you much more sensory information as you work.
I've included some techniques, but I'm sure there are many I've missed! Tell me how you use forearms/elbows in the comments, and let me know what you'd like to see next!
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Пікірлер: 186

@vgpriceless 9 жыл бұрын

Since yesterday, I’ve watched at least 6 of your videos, and I have to say everything from your attire (very appropriate for you); vocal pace; presentation pace/flow; knowledge; skills; sense of humor; and your slouthing intellect - lol! I am a 57 year old practicing massage therapist since 2003 (with several years break within this time) having no intentions of stopping anytime soon! Therefore, I’m always looking for the best knowledge and techniques for superior body mechanics; and highly effective techniques and time efficiency and you’re one of the best I’ve since on KZfaq!! Thank you sooo very much because I am re-inspired and passionately re-ignited to dive back into continuous anatomical self-review and staying in a “enthusiastic spirit” of why I became a Therapist in the first place. Please keep up the good Instructional work!!

@MassageSloth 9 жыл бұрын

Velma Gause-Price, CMT Thanks so much Velma! I appreciate the feedback and the kind words. Thanks for the comments and shares!

@MassageSloth 9 жыл бұрын

Miss Mash I think our way of going about things is pretty awesome :) I get the "never had a massage like this" comments quite a bit. I like those better than tips! As for lubrication, I do use a small amount of jojoba oil when I want lots of glide (some of my stuff is just a slow Swedish, but don't tell anyone), or a tiny bit of shea butter when I want a very "grippy" glide.

@vinaheeroo6929 7 жыл бұрын

all these tips are really magical, thus sending positive messages to the nervous system to get rid of the spasm. great job

@slimgirl04 9 жыл бұрын

Thank you Ian for your time and dedication! Awesome instruction!

@Jenarul Жыл бұрын

This is one of my favorite videos! I appreciate how you explain how our own anatomical pressures influence the massage experience. And my goodness - your voice is pure mindfulness! 💆‍♀️🙂

@lebradavis8447 6 жыл бұрын

Omg. Thank you so much. You just put 10 years on my life watching this!

@beautiful1gg 9 жыл бұрын

YOU ARE SO WONDERFUL... PLEASE KEEP IT UP. I GET SO MANY TIPS FROM YOU AND CLIENTS LOVE IT.. DONT EVER STOP MAKING VIDS..LOL

@MassageSloth 9 жыл бұрын

Quanii Beautiful1q Great to hear, thanks so much!

@MaddeMay33 7 жыл бұрын

This was really helpful, and I love your teaching style! Thank you for sharing with "us" :)

@shaisimpson7673 9 жыл бұрын

Dope videos Ian I just began my career of massage therapy a couple months ago. Recently I injured my dominant hand n was worried about my future as a MT till I seen this video as well as others focused on forearm techniques. You really helped with my Swedish and Deep Tissue routine. And I respect your laid back approach at massage in general. Much luv Sloth n most importantly keep making dope videos -Namaste

@MassageSloth 9 жыл бұрын

Shadul Yasir That's awesome!

@TheGen325 7 жыл бұрын

your massage tutorials are my favorite on KZfaq. Thank you!

@gillianbennett4518 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for this video. Love your moves, your kindness n compassion. ❤️

@Doralla1 2 жыл бұрын

You are brilliant, and also a great teacher. I've watched many of your videos, and my massage work is better and more creative for it. Thank you!

@hattiea529 7 жыл бұрын

While and since graduating from Massage School, I have been watching your videos and it's always made my techniques far superior than others. Thank you so much!

@MassageSloth 7 жыл бұрын

Glad to hear it, Hattie! It helps to have a few different perspectives :)

@oliviac985 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much! Your content is sooo helpful; and I thank people like you for helping!

@jamessanders1979 7 жыл бұрын

having an awful and stressful week prepping for massage exams, your videos are amazing and I love your teaching style. thank you :-)

@bdix1985 7 жыл бұрын

James Sanders abmp is a great tool to pass your mblex. just go through and knock out each question for each subject. if you do this all the way through you'll pass 100%. i scored a 606 on my first try and got a 734 my 2nd try. i took a 780hour course with 72 hours for clinical. and still made a 606 on my first try.

@barbarajordan1175 6 жыл бұрын

I think your videos are wonderful. Not is the information and demos great but the soundof your voice is very relaxing. You are a wonderful instructor.

@ModernAthletics 2 жыл бұрын

Amazing techniques! I like how you're thinking about your own anatomy in combination with the client's anatomy. The wave crashing into the lower back then moving the olecranon into the scap, brilliant flow.

@KrisT12890 7 жыл бұрын

I've been watching your videos for a while. Probably since I was in school. I think this video, the thumb saving techniques, and thumb care video have changed my practice. I come back and watch these frequently. I didn't use my thumbs for 2 weeks and it was a life changer.

@MassageSloth 7 жыл бұрын

That's awesome, Kristina! Glad to be of help, and I'm glad you're taking care of yourself 😀

@mandywoody 6 жыл бұрын

I am so grateful for your videos! You're great, thank you!

@kimjackson3521 6 жыл бұрын

Thank you. Your tutorials are always so helpful.

@natoyilively9379 6 жыл бұрын

Excellent video. you do an excellent job presenting using different contours of the arm and explaining why you do things. i have been playing with this for a while and developed many of the ways of moving the arm, however, i couldn't put it as well as you have, and appreciate your in depth insight. Thank you

@shirinmaryanchi829 6 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this awesome video. It was the most helpful one about using the elbow that I watched so far.

@nialli2000 8 жыл бұрын

I'm loving this! As a training sports massage therapist your videos are excellent for helping my see a wider range of techniques. Thank you

@LightTruthLove 5 жыл бұрын

Have you continued?

@kiddflash11 6 жыл бұрын

Great videos. Glad I found you. You are an excellent instructor. Thank you!

@mary3844 5 жыл бұрын

Your great! Thank you! I learn so much from you, keeping my skills sharp!

@LPSDave 9 жыл бұрын

I have hyper mobile wrists so I tend to use my forearms and elbows a lot. I also tend to set my table higher. I've learned how to palpate with my forearms and elbows and I prefer to use it. I'll only use my hands on places where there isn't a lot of bulk or in detail oriented areas like the neck, feet and hands. I'm a pretty lazy MT too, haha. I lean a lot on the table but those habits developed due to getting into this field with a chronic illness. Good video!

@lenasiadevinee 2 жыл бұрын

I loveeeee this video. The supination and pronation of the arm looks like it feels great! I’m going to try that when i go into work in a few minutes lol.

@gillatkinson6350 2 жыл бұрын

The best tutorials ever ! Thank you so much - South Africa

@starrisareyna4560 8 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for all of your videos. I just received my license 3 weeks ago and your channel is a resource that I use often. As many people have said, please don't stop making videos!

@angelanamatovu4619 3 жыл бұрын

Colourful

@angelanamatovu4619 3 жыл бұрын

But u lacking energy.

@carolinachristensen6846 9 жыл бұрын

Awesome Ian!!!! Congrats!!!👍👍

@sunyabey9889 9 жыл бұрын

Hello I am newbie MT also! I love ur techniques. Thanks for teaching them! Keep posting, Ill def keep watching! :)

@Stephanie-el2xh Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your videos! you are very detailed and take time to explain techniques in a unique way

@zken_24 6 жыл бұрын

Thank you, i've been having trouble understanding how to do this. This video helped a great deal!

@carolinasoulshine8949 7 жыл бұрын

i recently visited peru and we saved a sloth and brought it back to where were stayin..she was amazing..i got to hold and hug her and she fell asleep on me..i swear that is my spirit animal! love your videos btw..have to massages to give tomorrow and i always come back to you for review and to learn :) thank you! aho!

@QueLindaLV 7 жыл бұрын

Awesome video!!! Very helpful. Thank you.

@myeklecticlife5788 6 жыл бұрын

Wonderful instruction and direction. Love it.

@lsariano207 7 жыл бұрын

awesome I am in massage school now and this helped a lot thank you

@jf26x 9 жыл бұрын

Awesome video as usual! Keep them coming! :)

@zorahleduc2369 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you sooo much for your wonderful tips and explanations. Many blessings on your path.

@VisionsofSprode 9 жыл бұрын

Your videos are excellent in every way. There is a new graduate at work looking for new ways to work, I will send him this way and I am sure I will learn something new thru your channel as well.

@MassageSloth 9 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much! Let me know if there's anything you'd like to see me cover in the future, I'm always looking for ideas.

@thangamanik3342 2 жыл бұрын

WHAT A MIRACULOUS DEMONSTRATION OF MASSAGE USING ELBOWS AND FOREARMS. TILL NOW I HAVE NEVER COME ACROSS THIS KIND OF TECHNICAL DEMO OF MASSAGE TACTICS. YOUR PROFESSIONAL DEDICATION IS PRAISEWORTHY. YOU ARE A VERY GOOD TUTOR. ALL THE BEST. GOD BLESS YOU.

@rookiemaraj254 5 жыл бұрын

You are rich in your knowledge of the human body ,what a gift you have I felt every tissue in my body pressed and sooth by just watching this video Awesome I say!

@riculfriculfson7243 9 жыл бұрын

Awesome. Going to try these out now.

@jessicaestremera9878 6 жыл бұрын

You and I seem to work very similar! I love your videos. If I am not learning something new, I am gaining reassurance on my massage techniques! Thank you for dedicating yourself soo deeply into your work and helping others out!

@MassageSloth 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jessica! That's really why I originally made this channel: Not to be an authority, but to show what I personally do and why. I wish we had a thousand therapists doing the same so that we could all really understand the breadth of massage practice, and the reasoning behind it. Thank you for the kind feedback!

@Currentwavecrew 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you. This will definately save my thumbs.

@edwardsmith1768 7 жыл бұрын

great teacher

@tortoisenhare 9 жыл бұрын

As always, great tutorial. I'm glad you snuck that bit in about back posture as we're working! Love using my forearms and sometimes I'll come up proximally from the (gently! ->)popliteal fossae to the head of the femur, glide my olecranon through the intertrochateric fossae (intending to strum the 6 deep rotators), then without lifting my arm, glide back distally down the ITB. It's a great warm up for the leg and my clients enjoy the seamless feel of getting the whole femur inside the stroke. Thanks, Ian!

@MassageSloth 9 жыл бұрын

Stephanie Mitchell That technique sounds fantastic! Thanks for the great description.

@jaclynparker7197 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you this is exactly what I was needing to see slow and explained in detail! You rock Mr Sloth lol

@nikery1 8 жыл бұрын

I love your videos! thank you so much :D

@tamb4909 9 жыл бұрын

Great video tutorial. I've just started using forearms to save my hands, and this was very informative. There are always little things that I love seeing that I can be more mindful of, like the ulna. I'll be sure to keep an eye on that. Thanks!

@JitendraSingh-hl3kx 2 жыл бұрын

@jonharris30 5 ай бұрын

Excellent teacher

@samann7951 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this video. It help me a lot

@dedalofree Жыл бұрын

Nice video, thanks for share these interesting knowledge. You are a really good teacher. Thanks again

@anima_mundi0919 Ай бұрын

Great videos! it helps me a lot, thank u very much 🎉

@humaneleaguelancPA Жыл бұрын

Thank you for your great advice!

@wendystewart7668 8 жыл бұрын

Great speaking, teaching and video.... and you are nice to look at to boot!

@myriahquintela7100 7 жыл бұрын

Ooooph! I have a midterm tomorrow that's a prone massage, using only the forearm... this is so helpful!! Thank you SO MUCH!

@MassageSloth 7 жыл бұрын

I know this is a month too late, but: Thanks Myriah! I'm sure you knocked it out of the park :)

@applemango3072 2 жыл бұрын

So wonderful video

@janibasha5879 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks sir ,you teach us the effective massage techniques

@ingridsprintdu1394 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent ! Thanks 👍👍👍

@nathaliechoquet9119 2 жыл бұрын

Really good tip! Thank you very much

@anastasiataylor2351 9 жыл бұрын

I love your videos! Great pace, very professional and knowledgeable, excellent way of teaching and explaining the techniques; can't wait to use them on my clients! I love the fact that you emphasize the importance of body mechanics and a low set table as a part of a successful session for both client and therapist. Keep up the good work Ian! P.S. Your attire looks appropriate and professional which deserves respect, and seems to give you enough freedom for the kind of work you are doing. Thai or Shiatsu could be a little challenging though ;-) Blessings, Anastasia

@MassageSloth 9 жыл бұрын

Anastasia Taylor Thanks so much for the kind, specific feedback! And thanks for the props re: my business casual attire, I actually get a lot of grief about that :)

@rowancostello3491 3 жыл бұрын

Just did my best verion of this on my mate. She is most greatful. Thans man.

@sakunakiernan3199 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much you are the greatest!😃🙏🏼💐🇹🇭🇺🇸

@RM-rq7ll 7 жыл бұрын

good vid man. thanks for shearing. subscribed

@marymedinas1111 3 жыл бұрын

You cover all the little details i forget! 🙂

@shelberz1 5 жыл бұрын

Consider subscribing?? Who doesn't subscribe?? So glad to hear yer a teacher beyond KZfaq. So many useful well done lessons.

@samantha-kemp-therapy 4 жыл бұрын

Really helpful thank you

@asenivanov610 6 жыл бұрын

thank you so much for that video

@lindastoyer6236 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you very nice video

@DS-zo8xs 7 ай бұрын

As a client, I really enjoy when the foreman or elbow is used.

@Shu14498 2 жыл бұрын

Hi, I just wanted to say thank you so much for this tutorial. I currently am a student for MT and I currently am on the deep tissue unit and I was having a difficult time grasping the information by the instructors and still did not understand their demonstrations given. That was until I started doing research and came across your video. You are awesome, thank you so much for helping me understand the techniques.

@livelovehulakim2685 3 жыл бұрын

Really enjoyed that! Would like to see how you finish a lot of those strokes

@ewelinamudy9588 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you 🧡

@zendiya1895 2 жыл бұрын

Full lounge ha! love it

@LotusLady 9 жыл бұрын

I'm amazed because my routine pretty much looks identical to this. Everything. And my clients are always like, No one has ever massaged my back/leg like that. So I sometimes feel like, I must not be doing this right if no other LMT is using these techniques. But i guess I must be doing pretty OK, huh? They always feel great afterward and say they get longer lasting results. Great vid! Thank you. One question: are you using any lubrication at all? I find that some of my clients have dry skin. And i get worried about causing too much friction. But if I put even a teeny tiny but of lubrication, it changes the effectiveness of the work. Any suggestions?

@Homebizmum 3 жыл бұрын

Very good! 😊

@AsianBoiWatchesAnime 9 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the tips! Been helping me when I work at the spa! Also can you do a video on how you do trigger point work?

@MassageSloth 9 жыл бұрын

AsianBoiWatchesAnime Glad it's been helping! And that's a great idea for a video, I'll have one in the coming months. In the mean time, I discuss them a fair amount in my headache video. Thanks!

@hermiecuime9356 7 жыл бұрын

thnk u sir

@rustanestadilla7065 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome

@migdaliarosado4137 6 жыл бұрын

Because of you.. I have become a better therapist.. Graciously. M.R.

@armandocabanit2260 Жыл бұрын

yes goood for relaxing massage about scapular my experience massage 14yrs fromm now i proud to you sir to how demo the vidios

@nithyp738 8 жыл бұрын

thank you

@samantanicol4583 8 жыл бұрын

good stuff..

@3rescuecats 6 жыл бұрын

Don't worry about the camera angle, you're an awesome instructor and eye 🍬

@MassageSloth 6 жыл бұрын

Haha, thanks Lorraine 😂

@lovevasquez3568 7 жыл бұрын

wow cool

@beaya3165 8 жыл бұрын

I volunteer to direct your videos.

@johnathanha9340 5 жыл бұрын

Slowness, gradualness, smoothness are three key words in the massages.

@user-kj3ld6oq9l 2 жыл бұрын

Good

@calebm770 5 жыл бұрын

I love your work and keep it up. Noticed the position of your back leg. Wondering if you ever have any issues with your peroneals being over stretched in your back leg? I tend to keep my back foot perpendicular with the table causing the lateral aspect of my leg to become over stretched.

@MassageSloth 5 жыл бұрын

Interesting! I've never really considered it, but I could see that being an issue. My hips and feet naturally turn out quite a bit, and it's not something that I necessarily recommend trying to emulate :) Basically, find a stance that feels stable to you, and don't be afraid to vary it frequently. For instance, it might be worthwhile to get into the habit of occasionally bringing that foot to parallel with the table and letting your calves get a nice stretch as you work, then switching back to your customary stance.

@calebm770 5 жыл бұрын

@@MassageSloth Thanks for the tip. The posterior aspect of my legs are tight and so I try to position my feet/hips differently so to stretch it out but I naturally fall into a hybrid archer/horse stance. I was just curious if you've had any issues with that stance. Thanks again!

@jasm7906 8 жыл бұрын

best dressed therapist ever:)

@thenarrowdoor7 8 жыл бұрын

thank you for the tips i love your channel , im a new massage therapist , i leared swedish and french and lomi lomi massages i stil dont have clients but i practice on my friends and family and the reason im typing all this is because i have a question , ....most of the time after the massage they feel pain in the next day or the next two days and then the pain goes away , is that a good thing ?? and i have a friend who have scoliosis and he gets in pain when i massage him and i dont massage hard but he feel the pain , im trying to fix his scoliosis ....i would love to get an answers from ian harvey thanks and sorry for a lot of typing

@MassageSloth 8 жыл бұрын

+Elias Abu hatom Hi Elias, I say keep at it, but do one of these things: Use less pressure, use broader techniques (flat palm instead of knuckles), or go more slowly. While my clients sometimes feel some soreness the next day, I ask them to let me know if it's any more than they'd feel from a workout. If so, I did too much during that last session. Try a slower, gentler massage, and I bet that you'll still get great results. Best of luck!

@thenarrowdoor7 8 жыл бұрын

thank you so much i apreciate it ...i will do that :)

@ibsmassagemaui6711 7 жыл бұрын

You can't fix scoliosis since it is a structural/skeletal problem, usually. Use less pressure or non pressure techniques such as myofacial release. A client should never be sore more than one day. If so, you used too much pressure.

@brandongranados5569 8 жыл бұрын

Excellent technique, one thing tho you could use your legs more flow

@ElectrikFuneral 7 жыл бұрын

Do you have any videos on proper body mechanics? I feel like since graduating I've been slipping a lot on being aware of my stances.

@MassageSloth 7 жыл бұрын

I've got one on my body mechanics for low tables: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/eq15nqyGxJemnqc.html Not necessarily for everyone, but there should be some good tips in there :)

@BrianRim 8 жыл бұрын

Subscribing improves your posture :) Going to need some sources on that Mr. Sloth! Haha, all jokes aside - great videos! Keep it up! - RMT B

@hunnerrr 2 жыл бұрын

Hey Ian, when you are applying pressure with forearm, it looks like you are supporting yourself on table with other arm. is that right? Asking because I am out of work with shoulder injury due to applying too much pressure to clients with my forearm.

@MassageSloth 2 жыл бұрын

Correct! I'll sometimes come into a wide squat, allowing both thighs to be pressed into the side of the table, and use both forearms at the same time. But when I'm using one forearm, I'll sink my hand or fist into the table itself and basically lounge my way through the technique. It should feel fairly effortless in either case. So sorry about your shoulder, and I wish you a speedy recovery!

@LadyCaramelle2012 7 жыл бұрын

This has been a really helpful video for me. I am a massage therapy student and am quite hypermobile in my wrists and metacarpal phalangeal joints. I have had concerned about my longevity in this career if I put too much strain on these joints. I have been trying to focus a lot more attention on utilizing my forearms. I wondered if anyone has any suggestions or tips for table height that would be suitable for body mechanics in both forearm and hand techniques.

@allisoncore9470 7 жыл бұрын

I have mobile wrists as well Natalie. Personally, I try to keep my wrist in neutral and send the pressure through the neutral joint. This is sometimes difficult during kneads as I tend to create the circular motion at the wrist. To avoid this I anchor my elbow to my side as a move my whole body to create the circular pattern.

@MsSquiddy11 7 жыл бұрын

Natalie Cudney I have a lunate instability that is exacerbated by putting any pressure through my wrist while it's in extension, so I have to be really careful about keeping it in neutral. I try as much as possible to hook my elbow just over my ASIS and move my whole body as one unit. This keeps my wrist neutral and lets me use my body to create force rather than my arm muscles. I also keep my table low -- about in line with the tips of my extended fingers.

@LadyCaramelle2012 7 жыл бұрын

Charlotte Hannah I'm curious if you do anything regularly as self care that works for you?

@MsSquiddy11 7 жыл бұрын

Cool arm baths can be helpful after a long day of treating. And lots of stretching. :)

@MassageSloth 7 жыл бұрын

What great conversations. You should all search for the "Massage Sloth Clubhouse" group on Facebook and come hang out :) As for suggestions for hypermobile wrists, my recommendations are layering your tools when you can (hand on top of hand), frequent use of soft fist instead of heel of hand, and strengthening your wrist and finger flexors and extensors. This can be done with free weights, specialized tools, and therapy putty. Oh, and I second the idea of cool water baths!

@blove108 9 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for your videos! I am an MT in Hawai'i, and incorporate a lot of lomi lomi techniques into my practice, which utilizes forearms quite a bit. I have a kind of silly question for you. Have you worked on someone who is very hairy? Like, whole back is hairy. What adjustments, if any, do you make? More oil? If so, how do we contact the fascia? :)

@MassageSloth 9 жыл бұрын

Brenna Hunziker Good question, and yes, that does present some challenges! I sometimes find that it helps to change my lubricant (creams seem to offer a more consistent glide than oil when there's hair in the way), and I do tend to use it more generously. I actually find that most hairy guys don't have very sensitive follicles, and that I can continue my slow angled fascial work with little change. I make sure to bring it up to the client and ask for their input as I work. Worst case scenario is that I have to do faster flowing work at first, using lots of lube, which I then finish with static compressions through a hot towel or the top drape. In other words... that's a tough one without a good answer. :)

@blove108 9 жыл бұрын

Massage Sloth Thanks for the quick reply! That was as good an answer as any to a hairy situation! Hehe.

@MassageSloth 9 жыл бұрын

Brenna Hunziker Ha :)