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Stools! Yea or Nay?
In watching Susan Salvos sidelying massage video ( https://www.youtube.com/LAmassageschool#p/u/5/vEBwOVn5b9A ) She actually recommends using a stool as you do the back for sidelying massage. I have some instructors who are "stool friendly" and some who are not. I even read one author who stated that up to 25% of a massage SHOULD be performed while sitting. I like stools for when I am working on feet and of course faces but have never considered it for sidelying (But think I will give it a shot). Does anyone have any feedback? Do you use a stool a lot or a little? When and why?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Darcy Neibaur on
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I use a stool when working on the neck, face and head. had no instruction in school about using a stool other wise. When I do Reflexology I always sit in a chair with a back on it for the back support. Never do Reflexology sitting on a stool.
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Permalink Reply by Frank J on
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I agree that stools should be used in a massage. It depends on the technique you are using. what style of massage you are applying also. I use a stool for feet, head/neck and depending what is going on, I use it for the biceps brachii and pecs also!! I know a guy who does his entire massage seated; it works well for him
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Permalink Reply by Michael A. Breaux on
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Stools? A resounding YEA! I've been practicing massage for 20 years in clinical settings - hospital, pt, & chiropractic clinics. Much of my work consists of 15 minute area specific work. I use a stool much of the time. In fact, all foot work, neck work, arm work, and rotator cuff work, I perform while sitting. I stand when I need my weight and leverage to address the major muscles - quads, hamstrings, glutes, and back. Some might say that I've gotten lazier as I've aged; I prefer to think that I've gotten smarter.
As for the sidelying position - I'd say "Absolutely". I like to sit on my stool and traction the ilium with my bottom (lower end of the table) hand, while the other hand presses forward into the client and glides up the paraspinals. This works very well. The opposing forces stabilize the client's body on the table and I can exert more pressure than I can standing up. I will note that it works best with a stool whose wheels can be locked or unlocked when needed.
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Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on
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Try it and see if it "works for you!"
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Permalink Reply by Marilyn St.John on
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I use a stool when working on the head & neck, and I am intrigued with the idea of using it for side-lying massage...I never thought of that, and I've sure been doing a lot of them lately! Thanks for this video link.
A word about sitting, however -- a wonderful massage therapist-friend of mine can no longer massage after ten years of sitting; her neck & shoulders are permanently injured due to poor body mechanics. Please be careful!
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Permalink Reply by Trevor Chisman on
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I do use a stool like many when working feet & head neck.
I don't use a stool when working other areas if the body but can often be found sitting on the table or with foot or knee on the table supporting different body parts whilst working. I sit on the table when performing some back work but when working with client in side lying I'm actually often found with one foot kneeling on the floor.
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Permalink Reply by Harry Banek on
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I use an exercise ball whenever I choose to be seated, for bodywork usually head, neck, and shoulders (prone and supine), feet and hands (supine), and for reflexology with client in reclining chair. I keep the ball slightly soft to sink into it and roll on the ball as body mechanics suggest.
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Permalink Reply by Ruth M. Schopper-Hughes on
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A stool is my best friend!
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Yea, i will go with that mike.. (smarter)
Michael A. Breaux said:Stools? A resounding YEA! I've been practicing massage for 20 years in clinical settings - hospital, pt, & chiropractic clinics. Much of my work consists of 15 minute area specific work. I use a stool much of the time. In fact, all foot work, neck work, arm work, and rotator cuff work, I perform while sitting. I stand when I need my weight and leverage to address the major muscles - quads, hamstrings, glutes, and back. Some might say that I've gotten lazier as I've aged; I prefer to think that I've gotten smarter.
As for the sidelying position - I'd say "Absolutely". I like to sit on my stool and traction the ilium with my bottom (lower end of the table) hand, while the other hand presses forward into the client and glides up the paraspinals. This works very well. The opposing forces stabilize the client's body on the table and I can exert more pressure than I can standing up. I will note that it works best with a stool whose wheels can be locked or unlocked when needed.
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Permalink Reply by Robin Byler Thomas on
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Me too Harry. I've had my ball for years and it was needing air the other day, so I mentioned it to my partner. He filled it without telling me and when I sat on it yesterday to work the clients head, neck, and shoulders; whoa, I was up there! I was afraid it was gonna blow, but it seems to be fine now.
When I'm done I just push it into the corner and it stays put.
Harry Banek said:I use an exercise ball whenever I choose to be seated, for bodywork usually head, neck, and shoulders (prone and supine), feet and hands (supine), and for reflexology with client in reclining chair. I keep the ball slightly soft to sink into it and roll on the ball as body mechanics suggest.
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Terry where I work we have to keep one foot on the floor at all times.
Terry Capuano said:Someone gave me some really good advice once - when sitting on the stool- keep your abdominal muscles pulled in...a little reminder about body mechanics. For side-lying work I have sat on the stool, I've been down on one knee or I am standing. For the face I am usually sitting and for the feet it varies. I have sat on the table, put my knee up on the table, put my foot up on the table and even climbed up on the table for a modified style of Thai Massage (that last one is always with full agreement from the client). The point of all this - I am always aware of how my body feels comfortable and how the pressure is coming through my hands. So try a lot of position varieties with or without the stool and see what feels right to you.
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