Japanese Chair Massage, Part 2
Kneading the Neck with One Hand
By Shogo Mochizuki
Originally published in Massage & Bodywork magazine, April/May 2000.
Copyright 2003. Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals. All rights reserved.
Japanese name of this technique: ha aku ju netsu ho (anma technique)
The purpose of this technique: Reduce muscle tension in the neck
Area of application: Over the posterior muscles of the neck
One of the most crucial factors for this technique is the amount of pressure you apply. If you apply this technique with too much pressure, the muscles will tighten up and you will create more tension, rather than reducing it. But if you apply with too little pressure, the massage is no longer therapeutic. The neck always loosens up best when you work with slightly less pressure than you think appropriate. Spend time on this region, working slowly up and down the entire length of the neck to thoroughly work the muscles. This is the most effective way to reduce muscle tension in the neck.
To work effectively, it is important to work smoothly. To bring smoothness into this technique, it is essential to relax your shoulders and elbows. It will take much practice and experience to master this technique.
1. Carefully readjust the face rest so the client's neck is more exposed. Be careful not to tilt the face rest too far, as this will overstretch the muscles of the neck. Stand to the left of the client. Gently grasp the middle of the back of the neck with the right hand so that the tip of the thumb is directly over the edge of the trapezius, just anterior to the lateral edge of the levator scapula. Do not bend the fingers, the fingertips do not touch the neck. The left hand can be placed either just beneath your right wrist or gently on top of the client's head. Move the client's hair to the side or hold with your left hand during this procedure, if needed.
2. The first three fingers of your right hand should gently rest on the superior edge of the upper trapezius, on the opposite side of the neck. Separate your pinkie from the rest of your fingers because the rotations are more smoothly applied with three fingers, rather than four. With clients who have shorter necks, you may have space to fit only two fingers. If you grasp too far around the client's neck, it will be very uncomfortable and create a choking sensation. Apply this technique only to the muscles on the back of the neck. Do not raise your shoulder and elbow and keep them relaxed.
Posterior Neck
3. Begin kneading by gently compressing the thumb and three fingers toward each other while the entire hand is moving in a superior and posterior direction in a circular motion. The fingertips do not touch the neck during this movement, it is only the pads of the fingers that are used to firmly grip the skin and muscles.
4. Continue rotation by releasing the pressure as you move in an inferior and anterior direction. This completes the rotation. Keep these rotations smooth and even to prevent rocking the client's head horizontally. This is a smooth, continuous movement at the speed of one or two rotations per second. This rotation technique is applied to the muscles of the neck until they are thoroughly kneaded.
5. These rotations are applied with relatively light pressure. For heavier kneading, you can gradually add more pressure after warming up the area, but you must always start with lighter pressure. Do not push the client's head forward into the face-rest. Absolutely no anterior pressure is given. During the rotations, you can pull slightly toward you, but never push the neck into the face rest. While kneading, slowly move up and down the entire posterior neck region.
Occipital Ridge
6. Slide the fingers up to the base of the occipital ridge so that the medial edge of the thumb and the lateral edge of the index finger are lightly contacting the base of the skull. Apply this technique as in Steps 3 through 5, except make slightly smaller rotations to the base of the occipital ridge. Do not push the head into the face rest -- this may cause a headache. This region is very sensitive, so start with lighter pressure and gradually increase the pressure to a level suitable for the client.
7. As you move laterally toward the ear, you must use more gentle pressure. You can increase the pressure gradually as you move toward the spine. While rotating, be careful not to pull the client's hair. Repeat this technique for about thirty seconds or for as long as desired. When this technique is applied evenly to both sides, it is unnecessary to move to the other side of the client to repeat it.
Shogo Mochizuki is author of several books, including "The Art of Japanese Foot Massage," "The Art of Japanese Facial Massage," "ANMA: The Art of Japanese Massage" and the "Hand Maintenance Guide for Massage Therapists." For information, call 800/651-ANMA.
[sidebar]
Before You Begin
When beginning a Japanese chair massage session, certain precautions and a standard set of procedures should be followed, including a pre-session inspection and maintenance of all equipment and the surrounding area, a pre-session interview, and a post-session disinfection and overall cleaning of the chair and yourself.
Pre-Session Inspection and Maintenance
Make sure the floor space where you wish to set up your chair is safe, level and stable. Make sure there is ample space around the chair to maneuver your body without any obstructions or intrusion of a public walkway or space. Allow yourself 4 feet of space around the chair perimeter for an optimally comfortable working area. Also, before setting up your work area, make sure it is legal for you to practice chair massage in your desired location. Any necessary permission or permits should be procured before you begin practicing to ensure you are within compliance of all statutes, ordinances and other regulations.
Inspect your massage chair thoroughly to ensure it is in good working condition. The chair's adjustment features should operate smoothly and lock firmly into place. All screws and bolts should be snug and in good condition. All joints should be properly lubricated to the manufacturer's specifications. The frame should be stable and free of any structural defects such as cracks, bends or rotations. All necessary maintenance should be completed prior to the use of the chair and be performed and regularly maintained by a trained professional. The fabric of the pads, pillows and various rests should be clean and in good repair. The foam of these pads, pillows and various rests should be comfortable and still have the desired density to protect and support the client. All equipment that is worn and in need of repair or replacement should be replaced prior to further use of the chair.
The face rest (and arm rest if there is one) should be covered with clean linen or a disposable liner to protect clients from any communicable diseases that could be spread through contact, and also to protect the fabric of the chair from makeup and oil stains from the skin. A fresh supply of linen should be readily available for use, and protectors should be changed after every client session.
Copyright 2003. Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals. All rights reserved.
Japanese name of this technique: ha aku ju netsu ho (anma technique)
The purpose of this technique: Reduce muscle tension in the neck
Area of application: Over the posterior muscles of the neck
One of the most crucial factors for this technique is the amount of pressure you apply. If you apply this technique with too much pressure, the muscles will tighten up and you will create more tension, rather than reducing it. But if you apply with too little pressure, the massage is no longer therapeutic. The neck always loosens up best when you work with slightly less pressure than you think appropriate. Spend time on this region, working slowly up and down the entire length of the neck to thoroughly work the muscles. This is the most effective way to reduce muscle tension in the neck.
To work effectively, it is important to work smoothly. To bring smoothness into this technique, it is essential to relax your shoulders and elbows. It will take much practice and experience to master this technique.
1. Carefully readjust the face rest so the client's neck is more exposed. Be careful not to tilt the face rest too far, as this will overstretch the muscles of the neck. Stand to the left of the client. Gently grasp the middle of the back of the neck with the right hand so that the tip of the thumb is directly over the edge of the trapezius, just anterior to the lateral edge of the levator scapula. Do not bend the fingers, the fingertips do not touch the neck. The left hand can be placed either just beneath your right wrist or gently on top of the client's head. Move the client's hair to the side or hold with your left hand during this procedure, if needed.
2. The first three fingers of your right hand should gently rest on the superior edge of the upper trapezius, on the opposite side of the neck. Separate your pinkie from the rest of your fingers because the rotations are more smoothly applied with three fingers, rather than four. With clients who have shorter necks, you may have space to fit only two fingers. If you grasp too far around the client's neck, it will be very uncomfortable and create a choking sensation. Apply this technique only to the muscles on the back of the neck. Do not raise your shoulder and elbow and keep them relaxed.
Posterior Neck
3. Begin kneading by gently compressing the thumb and three fingers toward each other while the entire hand is moving in a superior and posterior direction in a circular motion. The fingertips do not touch the neck during this movement, it is only the pads of the fingers that are used to firmly grip the skin and muscles.
4. Continue rotation by releasing the pressure as you move in an inferior and anterior direction. This completes the rotation. Keep these rotations smooth and even to prevent rocking the client's head horizontally. This is a smooth, continuous movement at the speed of one or two rotations per second. This rotation technique is applied to the muscles of the neck until they are thoroughly kneaded.
5. These rotations are applied with relatively light pressure. For heavier kneading, you can gradually add more pressure after warming up the area, but you must always start with lighter pressure. Do not push the client's head forward into the face-rest. Absolutely no anterior pressure is given. During the rotations, you can pull slightly toward you, but never push the neck into the face rest. While kneading, slowly move up and down the entire posterior neck region.
Occipital Ridge
6. Slide the fingers up to the base of the occipital ridge so that the medial edge of the thumb and the lateral edge of the index finger are lightly contacting the base of the skull. Apply this technique as in Steps 3 through 5, except make slightly smaller rotations to the base of the occipital ridge. Do not push the head into the face rest -- this may cause a headache. This region is very sensitive, so start with lighter pressure and gradually increase the pressure to a level suitable for the client.
7. As you move laterally toward the ear, you must use more gentle pressure. You can increase the pressure gradually as you move toward the spine. While rotating, be careful not to pull the client's hair. Repeat this technique for about thirty seconds or for as long as desired. When this technique is applied evenly to both sides, it is unnecessary to move to the other side of the client to repeat it.
Shogo Mochizuki is author of several books, including "The Art of Japanese Foot Massage," "The Art of Japanese Facial Massage," "ANMA: The Art of Japanese Massage" and the "Hand Maintenance Guide for Massage Therapists." For information, call 800/651-ANMA.
[sidebar]
Before You Begin
When beginning a Japanese chair massage session, certain precautions and a standard set of procedures should be followed, including a pre-session inspection and maintenance of all equipment and the surrounding area, a pre-session interview, and a post-session disinfection and overall cleaning of the chair and yourself.
Pre-Session Inspection and Maintenance
Make sure the floor space where you wish to set up your chair is safe, level and stable. Make sure there is ample space around the chair to maneuver your body without any obstructions or intrusion of a public walkway or space. Allow yourself 4 feet of space around the chair perimeter for an optimally comfortable working area. Also, before setting up your work area, make sure it is legal for you to practice chair massage in your desired location. Any necessary permission or permits should be procured before you begin practicing to ensure you are within compliance of all statutes, ordinances and other regulations.
Inspect your massage chair thoroughly to ensure it is in good working condition. The chair's adjustment features should operate smoothly and lock firmly into place. All screws and bolts should be snug and in good condition. All joints should be properly lubricated to the manufacturer's specifications. The frame should be stable and free of any structural defects such as cracks, bends or rotations. All necessary maintenance should be completed prior to the use of the chair and be performed and regularly maintained by a trained professional. The fabric of the pads, pillows and various rests should be clean and in good repair. The foam of these pads, pillows and various rests should be comfortable and still have the desired density to protect and support the client. All equipment that is worn and in need of repair or replacement should be replaced prior to further use of the chair.
The face rest (and arm rest if there is one) should be covered with clean linen or a disposable liner to protect clients from any communicable diseases that could be spread through contact, and also to protect the fabric of the chair from makeup and oil stains from the skin. A fresh supply of linen should be readily available for use, and protectors should be changed after every client session.
