Chair massage is an alternative to conventional massage and allows clients to receive many of the benefits of a regular massage without having to disrobe and take time for a table massage. Chair massage can be performed in a standardized, assembly-line fashion, as is often the case at street fairs, office settings or shopping malls. Or, as Ralph Stephens LMT, author of "Therapeutic Chair Massage," points out, chair massage can provide excellent access to neck, upper and middle back, shoulders, arms and hands for more intense therapeutic work.
Step 1
Select a chair constructed specifically for massage that will position the client in a secure, relaxed position and that is sturdy enough to hold the client's weight without collapsing or tipping. Lee Chaffee, LMT and licensed practical nurse in New Hampshire, points out the importance of positioning the client comfortably prior to beginning the massage. Use disposable covers to cover the head piece of the massage chair. Choose comfortable shoes and clothing that will permit you to move comfortably with full range of movement during the massage. Plan your standard chair massage routine in advance so that you can use the allotted time well. Place a clock within view so that you can maintain a consistent pace for your chair massage sessions.
Step 2
Begin with moderately intense petrissage, or milking strokes, applied to the client's shoulder area and then press firmly on each side of the spine while moving down to the client's hips. Apply pressure while tracing an arc above the hips, working from the spinal area out toward the lateral area of the hips. Repeat with another arc just below the ridge of the hips. Repeat this entire section from the shoulder massage to the hip work three times. Keep one hand in contact with the client always, particularly as you relocate your hands from one area to another, such as returning from the hips to the shoulders or change position.
Step 3
Use light to moderate petrissage and friction circles on the top and upper portion of the client's arm, along the deltoid muscle. Squeeze with moderate pressure compression from the middle of the upper arm to just above the wrist and repeat this line of strokes three times. Use less force along the forearm, since many people can't tolerate as much pressure in this area. Make small friction circles around the entire wrist area, using caution in the carpal tunnel region on the underside.
Step 4
Move to the client's hand and open with a scissor hold, using your little fingers interlocked beside the client's little finger on one side and thumb on the other to gently spread the palm and enable you to use your thumbs to provide small friction and kneading strokes to the palm area. Gently roll each finger and the client's thumb from side to side. Change position and apply all of the arm work, from the top of the shoulder to the fingers on the client's opposite side.
Step 5
Return to the tops of the shoulders, or trapezius area, and apply gentle compression by placing and then rolling your forearm at three or four different locations on each side. Petrissage from near the spine out to the shoulder joints and return to center with the same stroke. Step to one side and begin to petrissage the back of the client's neck, moving from the upper back region upward to the skull. Repeat these neck strokes three times. Reach around the client's neck with both hands and use fingers to comb horizontally across the muscles on the sides. Avoid placing any pressure on the front of the neck in the throat area.
Step 6
Switch to the front of the chair, maintaining hand contact on the client's shoulder and comb both hands upward along the back of the neck. Provide gentle traction for a few moments when the fingers reach the base of the skull but do not apply pressure that would push the client's face deeply into the head rest. Allow your hands to slide to the sides of the client's head and provide gentle friction circles along the jaw line toward the ear. Continue the small friction circles behind the ear, moving upward and around the ear to the temple area. Massage the temples with lighter friction pressure. Step to the back of the chair, gently massage the tops of the shoulders with light petrissage, and then complete the massage with three sets of double handed, long strokes from shoulder to hip.
Tips and Warnings
- Contact your local health department or licensing office to determine what types of certifications or licenses your area requires to practice chair massage. Laws for chair massage may be different than for table massage. Practice your chair massage routine at home so that you will be consistent regarding the time needed. This will be very valuable if you are working in busy locations and have a long waiting list so that you can give each client the same quality of massage and so that you can provide a good time estimate for people to know when to return for their massage.
- Always ask whether clients have any health or spine conditions of which you should be aware. Use extreme caution when working with anyone who has a history of serious health problems. After the massage, have clients sit with their heads up and breathe deeply for a minute. Occasionally they will experience some mild dizziness or disorientation and should not attempt to stand until they are steady.
Things You'll Need
- Massage chair
Member Comments