Massage Routines

There are many massage routines and massage techniques that a massage therapist can perform on a client, depending on the client's reason for the massage and his/her health condition.

I am including some sample massage routines so that you, as a new massage therapist, will have an idea of what types of strokes you will use and in what order as you give various massages. You will have knowledge of basic routines for various situations. Keep in mind that you will learn many routines in massage school. Feel free to add to any of these routines as you practice on your friends, family, and clients.

Before you can give a massage, it is important for you to learn about proper body mechanics.

Most of the clients coming to you will ask for a relaxation massage, at least at first.

If your client is pregnant, it is important to know how to give a good pregnancy massage to her. And once she has had the baby, your client may want to know about baby massage, which has become a very popular parent/child bonding experience. You as the massage therapist would not actually massage the baby --the parents do that. You teach the parents how to properly massage their bundle of joy.

What if your client is the athletic type? What is a sports massage? Believe me, it will be appreciated by your athletic clients.

Therapeutic chair massage routines will address various problems your client has with his/her back, the forearms and hands, the shoulders or the neck.

As a massage therapist, some of your work will take place on a massage table, instead of the massage chair. Here is a great back routine to be done on the massage table.

For instance, in the massage chair, you would not be able to comfortably reach your client's feet. But if the client is lying on your table, no problem. Clients love foot massage. The foot routine is easy.

If your client is having pain in the legs, you will need to know how to soothe the leg muscles.

A soothing routine for tired, hurting legs is the calf massage routine. This is also something that is suitable for a massage table.

Abdominal massage is a must for the table. Massaging the abdomen is especially helpful for clients who experience constipation. There are some good massage techniques for helping the client with this often chronic problem.

You may be called upon to massage elderly clients. The elderly have special needs, such as their skin being so much more fragile than younger adults so much care needs to be given to them.

Another area of special concern are clients with a terminal illness in hospice care. Massage therapists can help to make their final days as comfortable as possible.

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