general notes:

Definition of massage: The rubbing and kneading of muscles and soft tissues of the body with the hands, especially to
relieve tension or pain.

Goal: To make someone feel better (keep it simple) Receiver is in the drivers seat.

Tips:
Massage muscle tissue only
Start light, increase depth if warranted and requested (see goal)
Lotion: the skin is an absorptive organ (only put on it what you would put in it)
check in with your receiver: grimacing, holding breath = bad, drooling, purring and snoring = good
check in with your giver: tell them to go deeper or back off if that’s what you need.

Techniques:
superficial stroke: covers a lot of surface area, not too deep, introduction
range of motion: discovers how far a joint can move comfortably
squeezing: moves fluids in and out of tissue, good for big muscles
point pressure: for knots, can be uncomfortable if not careful
Cross fiber friction: breaks up adhesions, can be uncomfortable if not careful
Jiggling: helps relax a muscle unconsciously holding tension

Be aware of:
Arthritis, injuries of any kind, pregnancy, osteoporosis, scar tissue, burns, including sunburns, bruises,
past history (abuse) – this one’s tricky, inflammation, tickles
(see goal)

Avoid (do not massage over):
Rashes, breaks in skin, bones, bruises, burns, varicosities, colds/flu, anything you don’t understand.
Even if receiver says its OK. You are not qualified, so best to avoid. You need to take care of yourself
too.

In General: Be gentle (but not wishy washy) and sensitive, listen to your partner and you can’t go
wrong. Don’t assume that what you’d like to receive will work for them. Think of how the body works
and go with that flow, try to enhance what should be happening.  (like sanding with the grain)

Some of what we did:

Leg and neck traction to lengthen spine

Upper Back and Shoulders (goal: to relax shoulders, lengthen them away from ears)
muscles involved: trapezius, rhomboids, chest, deltoids
Seated: squeeze trapezius, squeeze shoulder, rubbing beside spinal column, point work on tops of
shoulder blades, forearm work on tops of shoulders, be aware of collar bones and acromion

Hands and Feet (goal: to knead palms and soles, stretch and open fingers and toes, not to tickle)

Seated or Lying supine
hands: knead palms with thumbs, massage phalanges (around, NOT on joints), ROM each
finger, turn hand inside out
feet (optional): with or without socks, knead soles, be slow and firm, or you’ll tickle, move toes
as a unit forward and back, medium pressure around ankle “sock” of connective tissue.

Elbows and Knees and distally (goal: to reduce tension on these joints by relaxing the bigger muscles
attaching to them, not to tickle,)
Lying supine
Elbows: Work below the elbows with medium pressure, think “computer muscles”. Have
partner wiggle fingers to show you where to go. Lighter pressure at the wrist – not a lot
of padding.
Knees: These are tricky, because they can be ticklish, and huge leg muscles feed into them and
pull on them. Squeeze quads, rotate entire leg compartment around femur with knee up,
open calf by holding two heads and leaning backwards, medium pressure around knee
Low back and Hamstrings (goal: to stretch hamstrings thus reducing pressure on low back, lengthen
muscles of low back and up the spine)

Lying Supine: Hamstring stretch assisted by partner

Lying prone (may need pillow under belly if low back is painful, or pillow can go under ankles)
Squeeze hamstrings, medium pressure to all 3 muscles, no pressure on back of knee. Hip
rotation (grab ankle, pressure into glute and rotate leg), slide up spinal erectors, gentle pressure
on lumbar muscles, quadratus lumborum, decompress low back with upwards pressure and
diagonal stretches.

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Partner Massage Workshop

Most people enjoy a shoulder or foot rub, but in this workshop you can really boost it up a level. Life partners, athletes, friends, anyone with a body will benefit. Emma will teach some basic massage techniques to boost healing and circulation, increase relaxation and decrease stress. We’ll focus on common trouble spots: between shoulder blades, knees, neck, that pesky lower back, and special requests are welcome!

The relaxation and circulation provided by massage is some of the best preventative body maintenance ever, and improves sleep, immunity, flexibility and speeds recovery from injuries. You’ll also learn when NOT to massage an area. Notes will be provided. If you have a massage table bring it, but you’ll do fine with a mat and a couple of sturdy bed pillows.

Emma Holder MSc LMT has been helping bodies feel better for over 15 years and has a background in Microbiology and Immunology. She has a private practice in Portland and can be reached at 207-415-2704.

Portland Arts and Technology High School, 196 Allen Ave, Portland, Room 141 (map at the bottom of the page)

Cost: $40 per partnership ($50 day of workshop)

Portland Adult Education’s refund and cancellation policy

Registration:

Send your check (please include names and emails of participant(s) and name of workshop) to

Emma Holder

222 St. John st. suite 204

Portland ME

04102

or use PAYPAL (please indicate names and emails of participants)

for a partnership ($40)

 

 

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