Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1439667
L i s te n to T h e A B M P Po d c a s t a t a b m p.co m /p o d c a s t s o r w h e reve r yo u a cce s s yo u r favo r i te p o d c a s t s 21 How do you work with a client who is extremely ticklish? Speak Your Mind FROM FACEBOOK I use slower movements with a little more pressure using a larger area of my hand for massage over ticklish places. MARY LEMMINK L AWRENCE If they can touch the ticklish part of their body with another part of their body, it usually cancels out the message to the brain (think about why you can't tickle yourself—your brain is registering both giving and receiving touch at the same time). If their foot is ticklish, have them cross one foot over the other, or if their back is ticklish, have them place their hand close to the area. It doesn't work every time, but it often works. The other option is working through the sheet with compression. The fabric may help diffuse the intensity of the skin-to-skin sensation. NICOLE KERNER DEITRICK I use less lubricant or work over the clothes with table Thai or craniosacral therapy. I will also use dynamic cupping techniques as well. LUKE NORRIS I fi nd firmer pressure works great! I use hot towels on the feet and do compressions and stretching. MARIA FRANCO I use more pressure or avoid the area for the time being. AIMEE K. DAVIS Forearms instead of fi ngers. DEBORAH LOUISE HUTCHINGS I start by communicating what I am going to do. If it still tickles, I ask if slower, broader, and deeper movement would be better or if slow but lighter pressure would be better. Occasionally people are just overstimulated and need me to work through the linens or just move on to another part of the body. ABIGAIL PECK I keep my hand on the ticklish spot a little fi rmly and don't move. I ask the client to place their awareness there for a couple of minutes. Eventually the area desensitizes. I move to the next area and do it again. AYA JOANN MARIE Depends on where, but a little trick I've learned is to use their hand as a conduit for massaging the parts that are ticklish for at least a few seconds and then continue massaging as normal after. For the feet, often just having their feet touching together is enough to stop them from being ticklish. The idea is that most people simply can't tickle themselves directly so this contact with themselves can temporarily prevent the nerve response. Things to note: There is often a psychological or even psychosomatic aspect to someone being ticklish. Providing a sense of comfort and trust, even if it's just the presence you have, often is enough for someone to be less ticklish than they usually are. Conversely, if a regular is ticklish in areas that they usually aren't, it could be related to some form of stress, something emotional, or they may have had some pain there that has come and gone since their last visit and the body is guarding. Massaging a different area at the same time with a more stimulating motion can also help by distracting the system or even just asking questions benefi cial to the massage and engaging them in conversation while massaging the ticklish area can help reduce the tickle sensations. Usually better to start talking just before you get to the area. OLEKSANDER STADNYK FROM INSTAGRAM I let them know that it's OK to laugh! I hold space as they laugh and stay consistent with a deep, stable pressure. @EARTHSTARHOLISTICHEALTH Literally just had this today! Slow approach, slow-moving applied pressure, and a distraction point/gently applied pressure at the same time that I'm applying neuromuscular therapy. @TARA _HEISEY FROM TWITTER Firm, sure, broad touch on and around areas prone to a tickle reaction in the individual. Stay calm! Avoid interruptions in contact once established (try not to lift your points of contact off the body). No surprises for the nervous system. @KIRSTIEPENDERG1 KNE AD TO KNOW MERUYERT GONULLU/UNSPL ASH