Chair Massage Routines

There are several chair massage routines that are not for relaxation. They are therapeutic in nature, that is, they serve the purpose of relieving your client's pain and other complaints.

You will need to know the basic relaxation routine in order to perform any type of therapeutic massage as you will incorporate portions of it with the treatment of different areas of the body that are in pain.

This page will deal with lower back pain. If a client comes to you asking for relief of lower back pain, he/she will be in luck! Chair massage routines work wonders on the back. Why? Because the massage therapist has full access to the back from top to bottom in a massage chair. It may feel uncomfortable for a client whose lower back is hurting to get on the massage chair, but the client will be glad to have made the effort when you are through.

In this favorite of chair massage routines for the back, we will be working on quadratus lumborum. This is the muscle between the bottom rib and the ilium bone at the hip. Work one side of the spine at a time. Then work the other side before moving on to the next step.

Place your flat open hands on quadratus lumborum and press in lightly, using compression strokes from top to bottom of the muscle, until you hit the ilium. The upper part of the hip can be included as many of the complaints of lower back pain reach down into the hip.

However, you need to be aware that some clients may be offended, saying they feel uncomfortable with you touching "their butt". You may want to explain first to the client that you will be doing this as the muscle causing pain ends below this "safe zone".

Next, make circles on these areas, using loose fists. This is a friction stroke. Do not use heavy pressure here.

Now, right next to either side of the spine, using the ulnar edge of your hands (the side with your pinky finger), perform deep friction circles for the length of quadratus lumborum.

Next, using your fingers, perform cross fiber friction (side to side) across quadratus lumborum, about five times on each half inch or so that you touch, being sure to do this all the way down the muscle.

If the client says a particular area is tender, push in at an angle and hold firmly for about eight seconds.

Do not use hard, deep pressure and do not use any type of tapotement in this area of the back. This is an area of endangerment. Remember from massage class that the kidneys are there.

Now we will move toward the finish. Start by using rapid light friction, going up and down the muscle with your open palms.

Then, with your fingertips, apply the same stroke at a slower pace to conclude this portion of the back chair massage routines.

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