Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/867515
My grief massage protocol, what I call Safe and Gentle Grief Massage, looks much like a Swedish-style session, and features slow pacing and gentle pressure. Techniques such as sweeping effleurage, static hand holds (allowing "soft hands" to rest on the client for 5–10 seconds), and nerve strokes are especially helpful for areas such as the arms and back, while petrissage is utilized on the calves; very soft "squeezing" works well for the feet. During intake, clients are invited to tune in to which area of their body is holding the most stress or tension, and that area then receives gentle therapeutic focus. Common areas of tension or stress for grieving clients are the neck and shoulders, jaw, and lower back. To create a sense of safety and comfort for vulnerable clients, I avoid treatment areas that can be sensitive, such as the gluteal muscles, upper legs (quadriceps and hamstrings), and pectoral muscles. Throughout my grief massage sessions, I focus on wholly immersing the client in a cocoon experience of safe and gentle touch. While developing my protocol over the years, I noticed I was learning to give grief massage at a slower and slower pace. I was also refining my ability to provide a varied spectrum of gentle pressure. My grieving clients seem to benefit most from my slowest, gentlest work. The Grief Massage Sequence 70 m a s s a g e & b o d y w o r k s e p t e m b e r / o c t o b e r 2 0 1 7