Massage & Bodywork

March | April 2014

Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/259468

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 107 of 141

I t p a y s t o b e A B M P C e r t i f i e d : w w w. a b m p . c o m / g o / c e r t i f i e d c e n t r a l 105 3 ACTIVE MOVEMENTS AND VERBAL CUES Helping clients change neuromuscular patterns often involves having them move slowly enough to become aware of where in the chain of action the faulty muscular response occurs. To help a client become aware of the exact source of the muscular tension causing restricted neck motion and pain, for example, have her slowly and consciously turn her head from side to side using minimal effort while you assist the motion (Image 3). You can provide hands-on assistance to movement in several ways: explore holding areas where the client is overworking to encourage relaxation, guide small motions (such as a pelvic tilt) along more efficient pathways, and gently stretch restricted areas to increase range of motion. Verbal cues provide another avenue for your clients to gain awareness of old and new patterns during a session. Use simple and direct wording, similar to these examples: • To improve economy of movement: "Do this movement using the least amount of effort possible." • When a client is overworking: "Use one-tenth of the muscular effort you were using before." Next Issue: Joint Alignment and Rotations of the Knee Exploring Technique Active Pin and Stretch 1. To stretch the scalene muscle group on one side, press into the bellies of the muscles to pin them, then have your client slowly turn her head to stretch them. 2. Repeat on the other side. 3. To help your client feel symmetry, simultaneously press the bellies of the scalene muscle groups on both sides, then have your client slowly nod her head and focus on relaxing and lengthening both muscles while she moves. Assisting neck motion to release muscular tension. • To improve symmetry of motion: "Move both arms together and focus on moving with greater symmetry." • To engage muscles that provide core support and stabilization: "As I press down on your sacrum to stretch your lower back, lightly contract your lower abdominals." • To reinforce a new pattern: "Take a moment to notice what this process feels like so you can practice it later." These are just a few ways to engage your clients' active participation in improving their body patterns. As you integrate active technique with neuromuscular patterning, keep in mind that you'll need knowledge of joint structures and functions so that you can safely nudge faulty movements toward a normal physiological range. Mary Ann Foster is the author of Therapeutic Kinesiology: Musculoskeletal Systems, Palpation, and Body Mechanics (Pearson Publishing, 2013). She can be contacted at mafoster@somatic-patterning.com.

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Massage & Bodywork - March | April 2014