Massage Tutorial: Low back pain, myofascial release techniques
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- čas přidán 19. 07. 2014
- My new book is out! It's called Massage Is Weird: massagesloth.com/book/
How do you work with low back pain from a myofascial perspective? Realize that the lumbar aponeurosis is huge, and that many nearby structures can be involved in low back pain and dysfunction.
In this video, I demonstrate my general approach to the lumbar region: Work at an oblique angle, give the tissue time to adjust ("melt"), and don't ignore the many different facets of the lumbosacral region. Explore the QL area, the PSIS, the pelvis, and the lower ribs. Deform the tissue and hold, waiting for the nervous system to chill out in response to your contact. Mobilize structures that have been held rigid for far too long. Oh, also, don't expect to change the world in a single session.
Anything to add? Want to make a video of your own in response? I'll happily post it here!
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You really ARE the Bob Ross of Massage!! So glad I found your channel!
Agreed
Lol
I just began learning massage, and getting certified. And you have been helping me learn so much. Im making notes on all your videos and practicing. THANK YOU SO MUCH
Thanks, and congrats on your journey!
Are you still doing massage professionally? Just looking for in put thinking about going into it myself.
I love your videos. They take my massage practice to a higher level. thanks
I feel like this is the myofascial transition from low back into glutes/hips that I've been looking for. Thank you!!
You. Are. Awesome! I will be watching every single one of your videos. Thank you so much! :)
Ian, fantastic videos, indispensable help in my massage studies and work. A very rare combination of technical skills with the teaching skills. Much appreciated.
I NEEEEEEEEEEED YOOOOOOUU!!!!!! Well, my back does...
LOVE your videos! I'm learning a lot of tidbits to add to my work!
Another fab video! Thanks. I'm off to try this out on a client this afternoon.
Thank you for your tips I do a lot of back issues here where I live but never tried it bear feet
I love the fact you work barefooot. I do the same as often as possible.
Me too 🤗
Wow this looks amazing 🤩
Great detailed video
Love this massage
Hello Ian its me again. I wanted to ... tell you that i finished massage school a few years ago and i didn't finish my application for my license. But the reason i didn't finish my application for my licence is because i went on a job interview and during the practical the woman told me that i wasn't going deep enough and my massage kinda sucked. it killed my confidence and I'm a very confident person especially when it came to massage. so for the past few years I've been trying to convince myself that massage isn't where I belong. But i always end up in the same place wanting to give massage. i don't feel like i know the anatomy as well as i want to and i kinda feel like I'm always worried about the time and i forget to listen to the body I'm working on. i kinda feel lost in a dream and i don't believe i have or can relieve my clients issues. i do believe that massage works but i don't believe my client when they say I've actually helped them. i want to be like you, when you speak of the body you seem to knowledgeable about what your saying. i feel like a fraud. I always lived by fake it till you make it but you can't fake this. I'm sorry to drop my problem of insecurity on your page but i was just hoping you could give me some advice on dealing with how i feel. I always go in my books to read and refresh my memory on the anatomy but I'm not sure if that's where my issue is. I just finished my application and I'm waiting on my back round check to be done with. I have also secured a massage job but I'm afraid what will happen if one of my clients doesn't like my massage... 🙊💀 so ... anyway if you can help i would appreciate it. Thanx, Sabrina
Bea, I know EXACTLY what you're talking about. Psychologists call it "impostor syndrome," where experts (teachers, executives, doctors, you and me) are regularly beset by doubt about their own competence or effectiveness. It's not at all unusual, and it's actually a sign that you care about your profession and your expertise. Actual frauds never feel a bit of doubt. So: Embrace it, let it flow past you, and keep getting work done. That voice of doubt will get quieter over the years, even if it never goes away. It hasn't for me, but I've grown to accept it as just another aspect of who I am.
And, let go of that negative review. Years have passed, your massage has mellowed and morphed and gotten smoother, and you're a different massage therapist than you were then. Even if it doesn't all click right away as you get back into the swing of things, have faith that you'll settle into a useful routine again, and that this is an opportunity for growth and learning. Congrats on your new job, and best of luck!
Awww you made me so emotional.
A
Bea ya be confident girly you got this
Bea ya I think we all go through that doubt, and it's not a bad thing just like he said it means you care. As you get your flow anatomy will follow, and go into your books, 7yrs in and I still look at my books. That's negative comment was one negative one and shame on them for being so harsh and forgetting what if feels like when you're new. Also remember every experience is a learning one. Good luck 🍀👍🏽
Hey Ian, I am doing massage therapy in Victoria BC. Super excited how you are able to share your knowledge and add a soothing and calming presence in your tutorials. Great way for me to keep inspired and do some review/learn new things. Peace!! I watched ITB, and Rotator cuff so far... deeply appreciative:)
Julia Skagfjord I'm glad that you've found them useful, Julia! Thanks for the kind comments!
Love your videos. Are there specific myofascial release trainings/certifications you can recommend?
I definitely need this
This guy is great. Love the humor.
everywhere that you are working is EXACTLY where all of my pain, and tension is located. From the middle of my back, down the center, and then to the sides. I've been doing research and it seems to clearly be the fascia that I'm having trouble with, for years. typically I'm feeling ok during the day, but after I'm asleep for 4-5 hours, I feel all the tightness in my lower back area. it doesn't feel like muscle, or binge pain, but if I push on the center and middle of my back, I feel it pulling on different parts of my lower back, if that makes any sense. what could I tell a massage therapist to do exactly, that she could do what you are doing, cause this technique seems to be the golden ticket!
thanks for the reply
Good video. May I ask why you wouldn’t be doing massage strokes towards the heart? Also, if doing multiple sessions with this technique will those body mechanics potentially cause physical problems during LMT career?
Boy, I would love for you to help me with my back. Wow. Thank you for the video.
Pamela Newton I give great massages would you like one,I give massages just like this, I have magic and miracle hands I can only prove myself on the first try you won't be disappointed, let me know
Hi ian
can you tell me if you are using much medium here? and how ofter you replenish - I find sometimes the skin drags and pulls if medium is not used especially if we have hair in the mix, thanks
Great technique, easy to understand, thank you.
Love it
If you have 9 herniated discs and the lower back muscles are tight and painful to the touch. Does this help with that pain?
I'm so glad I found your channel! Do you have any suggestions on how to massage someone with slipping rib syndrome? This condition creates muscle strain on the neck, shoulders, and lower back which then causes other muscle strain associated with lower back pain in the hips, groin, and knee. The issue is the slipped ribs themselves cause severe nerve pain so they can't really be touched without causing lots of pain.
Be aware that the widespread presentation you describe is unusual for slipping rib syndrome, which is usually felt in the lower anterior/lateral ribs and upper abdomen. If that seems to be the epicenter of the pain with the other pain seeming to be related, then I'd proceed with my usual plan: Think broadly, and work where the pain isn't. Work with the abs, lats, pecs, and hip flexors. Work with the intercostals while avoiding areas that exacerbate the pain. Basically, keep the local dysfunction in mind, but mostly work with the global network of muscles that influence that area. If this pain persists or worsens, encourage your client to get a referral from their doctor to a physical therapist. A PT can do a wider range of tests, and will hopefully be able to provide a customized regimen of stretching and strengthening (which can be an excellent complement to massage).
Your content, especially your low back routine has helped my own routine. I can now palpate better and feel where I need to be. Do you ever teach any in person courses?
I do! I have one singular workshop called "Myofascial Swedish," and I travel the US teaching it about once or twice a month. I should probably make a video about that, huh 🤔 You can find more info on it here: massagesloth.com/myofascialswedish/
I´m a massage therapist, I like your work but i´m pretty concern about your posture working with the height of your massage table :)
I love massage..its help people
Hey Ian
Been through a few massage therapists, rolfers, and hellerwork practitioners for tight oblique and si joint holding patterns. Your videos have helped a lot with my girlfriend mimicking some video techniques. Do you have any recommendations for practitioners in the Seattle area? Hard to find people who do deep fascia and psoas work here for some reason
I'm afraid I don't know anyone in that area. My best advice would be to look for experienced massage therapists (in business for at least a few years) who tell you plenty about their massage style. If they mention that they don't cause pain, that's a big plus!
Hi Ian :) as you move down the spine you only apply pressure thru your palms, not your fingertips? I find i get good response using the tips of my finger tips yet i fatigue in the long run.. thoughts?
Murphy Ryland Hi Murphy! I do try to distribute my weight across my palms... except when I'm purposely resting it back in my carpal region... or using my fingers like little spears to lead the way. In other words, use lots of variations, and always switch BEFORE you fatigue. You may find more success in keeping your fingers fairly rigid and angling your pressure inferiorly toward their feet, as opposed to allowing them to curve and apply pressure down toward the table. Again, variety is key, and both can feel good. Let me know what you think!
I love the giggling of Rachel
You may already have videos on this, but what about releases for these MFR techniques? When I was in school we were taught drags always has to be followed up by a release. So for these that you demonstrated, especially for glutes, what would be the release for these and is it really always necessary to do?
I'm going to level with you... I've never known what people mean by the "release" in myofascial release 😶 I know it's supposed to feel like a subtle melting or shift, but when I feel that, it seems like something that I produce in my own perception. In other words, I fear it's a pattern-seeking error (look into "pareidolia" for an example of what this means). Because this is so subjective, I'm much more interested in the client's experience. For this, you can ask your client to let you know when it feels like the area "lets go," etc. That's something that I've gradually stopped doing for the most part. These days I'll steamroll the relevant areas over the course of several minutes, staying within my client's preferred pressure range, and then move on. My results are still just as good without having to worry about releases and such, so it's something that I'm comfortable setting to the side. Please know that this is something that other massage therapists disagree with me about, so I encourage you to explore what works for you in your practice 🙂
Can you make a sitting neck massage video sir?
Love your tutorials. Will you or have you done any sports massage.
That's on the list! I used to do events fairly frequently with my students (when I was teaching in a physical school instead of just on the internet) and I think I have some tricks up my sleeve. Thanks Barbara!
Hi Ian! I use a lot of myofascial release on my practice and on every massage I provide. As of recent I have started to feel deep and quite chronic, pain on my wrists, particularly on the exterior carpal area of both hands (around the base of the hypothenar eminence). It almost feels like the pain is on the ligaments but goes as far as the bones. I feel very sensitive to the touch in the area generally.
Here's the thing, although I graduated a few years ago and have been giving massages since, it's only been recent that I've been providing more frequent massages (2-5) per day. I'm not sure if the pain arises from stepping into a more frequent massages routine and the area is sore as a result, or if it's a result of placing too much pressure on my wrist as I'm still learning how to better apply techniques or if it's been a result of bad posture. I have used ice on the area to aid in my recovery process and although it numbs the pain for a little, it's pretty much the same an hour after. I've avoided for now the use of manipulations that trigger pain on the area, but I feel like those were very important ones for myofascial release. I've leaned towards a more forearm deep tissue massage technique for the time being, but trully miss using more myofascial.
From what I've shared here today, are there any tips you have for me to recover and avoid this injury on the future? It's been 2 weeks now and although the pain is receding it hasn't fully gone away. I appreciate your wisdom and respect your technique greatly. If you find a chance to get back to me, I'd greatly appreciate it
Hi Kalia! First, I just want to make sure you've seen my video on wrist pain: czcams.com/video/_maOxcNEJkc/video.html As it says there, I think you're doing the right thing by taking a wrist vacation for a few weeks while the pain subsides. One thing I'd change about that video in your case is suggest that you start with wrist and hand strengthening exercises as soon as you can get some props (wrist curls and reverse wrist curls using free weights are great; add in squeezing a gripper/putty and expanding a rubber band and you've got almost everything covered). Follow the exercise with stretching and self-massage, then ice. Start easy with all of the above and increase as you find out your tolerance.
If your pain persists or recurs, this would be a great opportunity to scope out a local physical therapist or occupational therapist who specializes in hands and wrists! They would be able to give you a personalized stretching and strengthening program, as well as track your progress.
As you said, I do think that this has to do with your increase in work load. Your hands and wrists had found a comfortable equilibrium with your old output, and now they're having to figure out this new reality. I think it's perfectly reasonable to expect this to be a brief and one-time adjustment period, especially if you give your hands extra care during this time. Listen to your body, and expect adaptation and healing. I'd love it if you'd bring this up in our forum! Just search "Massage Sloth Clubhouse" on facebook :)
would you recommend myo for herniated discs? or do you have videos for that? lumbar is a common area for my clientele. and I love myofascial.
if you have Instagram, check out adam__rehab he has a series with herniated disc and demonstrates workouts that can help your disc get back
Erik Dalton techniques help with lower lumbar.
How do you know my name? 😂 I love your videos, thanks
What brand of jojoba oil do you use?
Will this work on an obese person? Will need to work the area you are showing and glut area. Do you warm up the area first. If so, using effleurage strokes? Also, glad to see you working barefoot! I do too! Makes me more grounded!
Hi I have a quick question. I always work upwards when warming up the back ready for massage. is there any particular reason why you work down? thanks
Both are good! Working down lets me depress the shoulders and scoop the upper trapezius at the beginning of the move, and give the hips some inferior pressure at the end. I then typically drag the lumbar and thoracic fascia superiorly as I return to my starting position, so the lumbar region gets some traction as well.
That said, much of this same stuff can be accomplished by moving up and scooping the traps as you return inferiorly. So, I think it's just personal preference.
Hi, thank you for the video's, you look like such a caring person 😊I was wondering if it's possible to ask you a personal question. Do you have a place for private messages? Thank you
Dana Jacobi I can give you one just like this if you'd like I give great massages,I have magic and miracle hands I can only prove myself on the first try you won't be disappointed,you'll feel like you have a new back let me know
Hi
I ❤ ur videos btw. I'm working at a Spa, I'm a Beauty Therapist and maybe one day can learn more in depth Massage techniques.. Basic styles Beauty Therapists learn where I am is Swedish, Indian Head Massage, Hot Stone & Aromatherapy.. The bed height and amount of Spa treatments we do is killing me.. By Spa treatment I mean, Body scrub, massage (but not full massage) & facial in 90 mins... It's a very popular treatment and I'm 5'11, big & the bed far too low.. if I did Thai massage or literally got up on the bed to massage clients I'm sure I'd be okay but am really not confident to do that. At school we never learned how to work on a low bed, we had hydraulic beds.. Another thing is that we change rooms so wouldn't have time to adjust the bed anyway. Are there some basic, relaxing back massage techniques that would go easy on my back.. also hands if possible? Something effective but good all rounder.. most clients complain about lower back/shoulders & neck or between scapulas.. I could do that take a low bed into consideration? Also sometimes with muscley men I feel like I put my everything into the massage but I'm barely touching him, any tips on that at all? Anything you can share with me is well appreciated.
Hi Kasandra! I do all my massages with a low table, just above the knee. It can be rough on the body if that's not how you were taught! There are some body mechanics changes that need to be made for it to be comfortable, but I find it much easier on my body than working on high tables. This way, I can let gravity do most of the work, and basically lean my way through massages. Here's my video on body mechanics for low tables: czcams.com/video/DGIkIU_1Bns/video.html , and here's my video on using very deep pressure: czcams.com/video/rBpCFus8qL8/video.html . Just make sure to start slowly with both of these changes, and listen to your body! If something hurts, back off and see if you can make some changes. Thanks for your kind comments!
Firstly how do you know my name :-) The king of cool ...
Funny that you say Verboten (german: forbidden) when you said you can't go past the line. Because here in Germany, we ALWAYS pull the pants way below that line.
Crack MUST be showing or else points of in the Exam. When I tell my clients that they don't do it in North America, we have a laugh at how prude the US must be to ignore medical procedures like that, cause its absolutely necessary for treating the back. At the same time girls get looked at weird when they dance back-to-front, which is in contrast very normal in America.
Lonem Panda Dance - back to front?? Do you mean twerking? lol
American LMP here, we do massage glutes. The point is that the drape is establishing a boudary, I drape my clients so that the sheet is several centimeters below the posterior superior iliac spine and work in the area which is uncovered.
Everything gets worked, not sure where you're getting your ideas from. The draping is simply different and the hips will be worked with the leg. I always work over the sheet as well in case I missed anything that draping did not allow. The draping is there to establish a boundary for the client.
In the summer, I always do barefoot massage!!
❤
Niiiiiiiiiice
"It's all connected, man."
The problem is only one hour how can I
How high should the massage bed be?
I like a fairly low table, which I talk about here: czcams.com/video/DGIkIU_1Bns/video.html
Ah i have this lower left back pain also.
😊😊😊😊iamhappy
Massaging with no shoes is very good for the chakras lol
Really enjoying your videos from Costa Rica. We have lots of sloths here.🦥 The explanation of Strokes descriptions of muscles, fascia, and trigger points are fabulous.
Quadratus lumborum
Whats an interesting spot?
too bad half of your movements are hidden out of range of your camera and under the sheets
He needs to work the whole gluteal region, that ain't nothing he doing!
lol I'm sorry i didn't realize i was rambling
Massage Tutorial techniques not women but how you massage men body building?
My client farted on me today. Should I take it as a compliment?
😁😁😁
Lol I am dreading that day I don't think I'd be able to stop laughing. But it's a sign they're relaxing although I'd prefer they fell asleep or snored lol
No, it means you are putting too much pressure in the lower back! :))