Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1492048
54 m a s s a g e & b o d y wo r k m a rc h /a p r i l 2 0 2 3 helps moisturize more fragile skin and warm up the musculature before working. This light oil allows you to incorporate some simple range of motion to joints without straining to hold on to the client's arms, hands, or legs. Once the light oil is absorbed into the client's skin, work over it with a nongreasy lotion, preferably a formula designed for medical massage (meaning unscented and hypoallergenic). It will help you keep your hands gliding while your hips are in good alignment and the power of every massage stroke is coming from your feet and legs. This application of lotion over oil will give you a moderate amount of glide but also lots of control as you navigate arthritic areas and likely some chronic neuromuscular injury sites. Using the lotion layered over the light oil should make it unnecessary to have to reapply lotion throughout the session. Early in the session, pay special attention to feet by applying a thicker lotion or cream and working it in completely so there is no chance of slip and fall when the client gets off the table afterward. I often start sessions with the feet for that reason and because it effectively pulls people more into their body and into a state of deep relaxation. Highly Stressed Clients Stressed clients commonly present with headaches, neck and postural pain, temporomandibular joint pain, and sciatic, low-back, and foot pain. Center yourself by focusing closely on every single stroke as you start the massage. Integrate essential oils into your massage session if your client is open to it. You can do this easily by using a diffuser in the treatment room. Or you can apply essential oils topically by mixing frankincense (18 drops), cedarwood (6 drops), cypress (24 drops), and lavender (12 drops) into a small glass bottle. Shake well, then mix 5 drops of this synergy into an ounce of massage oil, lotion, or cream and apply it to the soles of the feet. Spend extra time on the feet to help pull the client out of their head and enable them to be more deeply grounded in their body. For neck and headache work, apply a light, nongreasy lotion to your fingertips and let that be the "applicator" to move this lotion onto the client's neck, temples, and face. If integrating essential oils, mix the following together first: Roman chamomile (4 drops), lavender (30 drops), lemon (3