Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/68173
than using your fingers or thumb, you can work more of your client in less time. The forearms also provide more leverage for deep-tissue massage than the smaller, more fragile fingers, thumbs, and hands. When practicing the Auth Method, it is essential to lean into the tissue; it is not necessary to push, if you are using your body weight correctly. The forearms are perfect for leaning your body weight into your client. If the table is low enough, you can just drop your body weight down onto the tissue. Pushing is exhausting and you run the risk of applying too much pressure on your client. Instead, drop your body weight onto your client. Your body will naturally drop to the first layer of tight tissue; it's like floating. As that layer of tissue releases, you will drop into the next layer of tight tissue. Practicing the Auth Method is effortless for the practitioner. The less energy you expend during a massage, the more massages you can do a day, and the more energy you have for your life. Just remember, when doing deep-tissue work use body weight, not force, and go slow. Feel for what your client is feeling; work the most superficial layer of tight tissue first. Your client will thank you for it. TABLE HEIGHT For a medium-sized body, I recommend working with a table that comes to the height of the second or third metatarsal joint of the finger. If the client is overweight and tight, or excessively muscular, I might drop the table a little lower. If the client is petite, I might take the table a little higher. The table should be low enough that you can drop your body weight onto the client and high enough that your back is straight. It's worth it to spend the extra couple of minutes before a session to adjust the table height. Better to spend the time to adjust the table height than spend the next hour uncomfortable or overexerting yourself. ARM GLIDE TECHNIQUE Position your prone client's arm to a 90-degree angle so the elbow is just below the corner of the table and the forearm is hanging off the table. Stand below the raised arm in a lunge stance parallel to the table, facing the arm. Place the upper third of your left forearm onto the top of the right tricep and glide down the tricep toward the elbow. Slow down over tight spots in the tricep. Keep most of your weight in your feet at first and gradually drop more body weight onto your client's tricep as you feel is needed. In general, the triceps do not need a lot of body weight to release when worked in this position. Your other hand is gently clasping the wrist (Image 1). Repeat this stroke as necessary on both sides. Still clasping at the wrist or hand, pull the arm onto the table and use your forearm to glide down the inner forearm from the elbow to the wrist. As you glide down the forearm, move your other hand to the elbow. Use the other hand to traction a slight stretch on the inner forearm (Image 2). Lighten your pressure as you glide over your client's wrist and drop your elbow into the palm (Image 3). Make sure you are using enough oil to glide effortlessly. In my experience, the inner forearm and palm can withstand and enjoy a fair bit of pressure. Just be mindful to lighten your pressure over the wrist. QIGONG FOR BETTER BODY MECHANICS Using my forearms has saved my hands, but what about the rest of me? Too many therapists quit the profession due to back pain. When I was getting my master's degree in Chinese medicine, I was introduced to qigong. Qigong is an ancient Chinese exercise system that couples movement with breath. The movements are slow and relaxed—the ideal pace for massage. The qigong stance is grounded and strong in the lower body, like a tree trunk rooted to the earth, and relaxed and fluid in the upper body like tree branches flowing in the wind. The legs are spread wide with the knees bent. The back is straight and the shoulders relaxed. The arms are loose like wet spaghetti. The Auth Method teaches the following simple qigong exercise for developing good body mechanics while working. PRAYER WHEEL One of the main stances in the Auth Method is the lunge stance. To learn the lunge stance and to encourage a straighter back, relaxed upper body, and connect with your colleagues on massageprofessionals.com 75