Massage Tutorial: Scalenes (myofascial release, palpation)
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- čas přidán 23. 06. 2024
- My new book is out! It's called Massage Is Weird: massagesloth.com/book/
Do you vaguely remember the scalenes from massage school, but don't quite know how (or why) to work with them? In this video I give you a review of the relevant anatomy, we do some self-palpation, and then there's a demo with a client.
0:00 Introduction
1:39 Anatomy and palpation review
5:31 Contraindications and cautions
6:13 Client demonstration
12:58 Trigger point demo
The demo's pretty slow, but that's a great way to work with the scalenes. Remember that this is probably the first time any given client has received direct work on the anterior neck. That means informed consent is important, as is a slow introduction of touch.
As you work, be aware of the brachial plexus and subclavian artery exiting near the inferior portion of the scalenes and dipping under the collar bone. Direct, specific pressure on these structures is a contraindication. Try to stay broad and angled when in this area.
Got any questions? Hit me up in the comments, and do let me know if there are any topics you'd like to see me cover. Thanks for watching!
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This is just what I needed Ian.
I just had a fellow RMT work on my scalenes and it was an awful experience - painful and burning. I knew there had to be a better way! I’m all about the slower more curious techniques. Thank you once again for sharing ☺️
I can't thank you enough for helping me with your extraordinary videos. My work has been supported exponentially by your work. Brilliant & kind man!!!
+threeoms So glad to hear that! :)
Thanks so much for taking the time to make these fantastic videos. So helpful. Massage school was 11 years ago so it's so great to have this continuous learning resource.
Another great video Ian. I am in massage school at the moment and all your videos have been very helpful to me. Please keep them coming!
John Sanderson Great to hear! Let me know if there are any topics you'd like to see me cover. It's been a while since massage school for me, so it's helpful to hear what you need as a student.
Ian You are amazing, I always find what I need in your channel. God bless you and your " hands "
I love your tutorials and have found them so helpful. Thank you for posting.
love doing trigger points on the scalenes 😊 works great! thank you for your videos, it helps to review certain things we dont want to forget
I work with the scalens ALL THE TIME! I can't even begin to tell you how it has improved my massage outcome!
Thank you so much for your informative video! The description during the self-palpation finally made a light bulb go on and I feel much more confident about what I have been doing in my practice already - but was secretly stressing.
Christine Eidinoff Ah, stress-reduction! That's awesome, thanks for commenting :)
Great video! Most of my clients need scalene work so this was very helpful.
Thank you so much for taking your time to make these great videos .I am always learning or getting better ideas on how to do better masaages.
Soooo many of my clients complain of neck pain; these new moves will be useful!
Love this channel..So informative as a massage therapist .👍♥️👍♥️👍
Excellent video!
Another excellent video! By the way, the client I worked on using the techniques you demo'd in your TOS video responded well. Thank you again.
Dawn Geula That's excellent, thanks for sharing that!
GREAT VIDEO AS ALWAYS!!
Excellent explanation. Thanks.
Brilliant. Thanks very much. Very useful.
Great tutorial!!!! Thanks so much ! Subbed!
A tip for you to consider...
Some clients will have very shortened SCM and scalenes.
When they lie supine with the head completely flat this will make their already shortened SCM and scalenes become even more taut. This tautness will make them more unyielding to your soft tissue release techniques and can make them more sensitive to your pressure.
A small folded hand towel in the shape of a square placed under the head just raising it a few centimeters can slacken the shortened neck flexors considerably and allow you to work them more comfortably for the client. You will notice the slackened position will allow you to work more deeply into the tissues and have more control when mobilizing them.
Over time, and with some consistent homework with passive self-stretching, as these flexors become more relaxed and lengthened more toward the ideal, then their lying supine with the head flat will not create more tautness because of newly achieved length and they can be worked normally.
Try this mild elevation of the head and see if it allows you more control, deeper access and a better, confident feel to your myofascial glides to the scalenes for those with shortened neck flexors.
Great tip!
Very good techniques. Scalene really can get extremely tight but you worked slow and gentle and had the client involved moving head away from the direction you were working.
Great vid. Especially the intro.
Great video! Thanks!!
Thank you. Wonderful!
So well done., thank you soooo much
Thanks so much for sharing. You are a God send. God bless you.
First, thank you for the time and effort put into these outstanding videos. I study PT and they've provided a great visual guide for refreshing on the anatomy knowledge (from "origin to insertion and beyond" if I may) that's essential to apply/understand within my kinesiology coursework. You deliver the lessons clear and concisely, adding just enough supplemental info to stay relevant to the topic, yet remain useful across various field's in healthcare. Lastly, your demeanor and patient/client interaction provide a sound example for aspiring clinicians to emulate.
That being said, I have a future video request if those are welcomed. I'm curious if you're familiar with Craniosacral techniques (assuming their common osteopathic roots with myofascial techniques)? If so, a video on said topic would be much welcomed and appreciated given you have the time and experience in the technique. If not, no worries just curious. Either way keep up the admirable work, I look forward to your future videos. Thanks for your time!
jklau544 Thank you for the kind and specific feedback! It's pretty neat that these can be useful in a PT school context. As for the CST videos, that's not something that I'm terribly familiar with, but it'd be a great reason to bring on a guest star! I'm planning on doing that (diversifying the teachers on this channel) within the year, funds and networking skills allowing. Thanks again, and best of luck!
Hi Ian! I love your videos and I watch and learn from them all the time! With the scalenes and your techniques in this video, what type of pressure are you using?
Dude i have to say thanks. U r awesome. 😃🌠🌜
Really Great information, Many Thanks to you and your model! I always work the scalenes, but have a client that has not been able to sing high notes since a scalene release in another state last February. Are you aware of this phenom or have any ideas to the cause? I am not sure of techniques used, but client said nothing drastic or painful was done during session.
thanks 🙏
super merci
Great video! Do you have any advice for working on the scalenes during a chair massage?
Leah Lynch Good question! A massage chair is excellent for scalene work. The posture that it puts people in leaves the anterior neck muscles slightly slack, and the client is less likely to engage those muscles as you work (no one's going to press their head further into the face cradle to try to help). As with table massage, informed consent is important if you're going to be targeting the scalenes directly.
To do scalene work during a chair massage, the easiest tool is the finger pads. Engage the skin overlying the SCM and scalenes and drag it laterally, following the shape of the neck to create traction transversely. You can also drag with a superior or inferior slant, depending on how you've positioned your hand. Make sure not to put any pressure medial to the SCM, as that will get you onto the throat, which is no fun. It might be worthwhile to practice on a friend or two first to confirm that there is no "choking" sensation. If there is, you're either too far medial, or you're accidentally applying pressure medially toward the trachea. Think of pressing toward the anterior surfaces of the transverse processes and you should be fine.
You can also go just superior to the clavicle and drag laterally using your finger pads to target the inferior attachments of the scalenes, and you can target trigger points using curved fingers. If you'd like to incorporate some movement, have the client hang the same-side arm down by their side, and grab the crook of their elbow with your non-working hand. By pulling that arm back as your drag across the scalenes, you'll be rotating the rib cage a bit and changing the shape of the neck muscles. It's also a good pec stretch! Again, trying this on a friend or two first is a good idea for fine-tuning. Thanks for the question!
Great video. I dont have a myofascial training but am looking to do a course as I am just in awe of the techniques used in your videos. Any tips on what to look for when choosing a course and training provider. I am based in Adelaide, South Australia. Thank you for your help and again awesome videos.
+Renee Newman Thanks so much, Renee, I appreciate the kind words :) When looking for continuing education providers, I'm afraid that my only advice is to look for people with demo videos. Sadly, that's relatively uncommon still. Best of luck!
I love the part where you tell the client what you're going to do and ask permission first. My therapist started in hard on my neck and it was painful. No warning first.
I’m in love with you 😭
Aloha! This is a wonderful tutorial...thanks so much. As a massage therapist/instructor, I'm always looking for new, gentle, and safe techniques for myself and my students. :)
+Aloha Leslie Thanks so much, Leslie!
Wooooaah... Some people have a muscle that others do not? That's cool! Any idea why?
justicegirl1028 No clue! Some people also have a cervical rib or two, or an extra muscle in the forearm... and those are just the ones I know about. The human body is weird!
Do the scalene muscle pain cause due to weak eyesight ?
good staf
Hey Ian, Just wondered if you've seen a shift in your approach to working with scalenes since this video? Taking into consideration the video that you released about massage techniques you've abandoned? Thanks :)
Hi Donna! Kind of. I'll still work with the scalenes specifically, but it's no longer one of my first line tools. These days I'm more likely to start with broad contacts that incorporate the scalenes as part of other work. if that doesn't seem to hit the mark, or if the client has had successful work with scalenes in the past, I'll give direct contact a try. Basically, it's a toolset I'm glad to have, but not what I'd typically pull out during a first massage. Great question!
Question turbinate left side in nose is blocking the partially air/oxygen entry but everytime I do stretch my neck to the far right/up side and open my jaw for few times I can bread again and that is stoping my panic attacks. How can I have this turbinate open permanent? I'm scare to massage myself?
Hi Felipe, I'm sorry that your difficulty breathing is worsening your panic symptoms. Even though it's possible for you to temporarily unblock your sinus by moving your neck, the "nasal cycle" (one side becomes congested while the other side opens) is a normal rhythm of your body, and it's not something that can be changed through massage. I have an anxiety disorder too, and my best advice would be to talk about this concern to your doctor, and to a psychologist. This isn't something that you need to deal with alone. Best of luck!
❤
Thanks for this video, I think this is what I've been having issues with (numbness down both arms going down to my pinky and ring finger) extremely tight scalene's and left side neck pain. I've been diagnosed with so many different things, carpal tunnel syndrome, cubical tunnel syndrome, etc. what kind of therapist should I see for this type of treatment. I need help! I believe I got this from powerlifting
Meant to say what type of massage therapist? And where are you located?
+Yvette G Hi Yvette! If the problem is in your neck/shoulder region, you might have some success with this self-massage protocol: czcams.com/video/V9DIwIVfEiE/video.html Give it a try for a week or so and see if your symptoms change. If not, the nerve impingement may indeed by happening further down your arms. Massage may indeed help; I advise you to look for someone who talks about myofascial release or structural integration, both excellent, slow forms of deep tissue massage. If the symptoms remain steady or grow worse, please keep trying the medical route, and consider asking about a physical therapy referral. Best of luck! Oh, and in response to your question, I'm located in Pensacola, Florida. I don't recommend a cross-country road trip to see me, I don't do anything too special :)
+Massage Sloth hahaha ok, thank you for your reply : )
Why does SCM or scalene on my left side swell?
I just love you...
I love your videos, but my body is the opposite of yours, Im tiny, extremely petite. I wish there were some videos made for therapists of my size. :/
I agree, and I wish I could do more to get more MTs posting themselves in action! Nobody's looking for perfection, just more perspectives on how different people approach the work. And on that note, if you'd ever like to start a channel, feel free to shoot me some questions on your social media platform of choice 😁
I have this condition I think its,from,liftin wieghts how ever I get pain in my toncil left side and ear is this normal ??
Seany Potts No idea, Seany! There is anecdotal evidence that SCM pain/dysfunction can refer pain to the ear and jaw, but it would be worthwhile to get the region checked by a medical professional. In the mean time, you might have someone watch your posture as you lift weights to make sure that you're not craning your neck forward or doing too much compensation with uninvolved body parts.
Massage Sloth i,think,it's stresa related personaly,i just started anxiety meds causing me all,kinds of wierd aches and pain I tend to tense,my neck when,stressed ear rings mainly at night the neck pain is on and of but my hand gets all vieny and swelled
Seany Potts Definitely stay in touch with your healthcare providers about this one. I agree that it could be anxiety-related (stress can have far-reaching effects and produce some strange symptoms), and that's all the more reason to keep them updated about it.
"No you cant touch me im just layng here half naked in a towel for no reason"