INDICATIONS
1. Edema
2. Muscle pain
3. Muscle spasm
4. General relaxation
5. Adhesion formation
PATIENT PREPARATION
Position of the patient
 Supine lying position with adequate support for anterior aspect of lower limb.

Provide two pillows for the patient ’ s head, and either one large pillow to go under both knees
or two small pillows to go under each knee.
or
 Prone lying with feet placed outside the couch for posterior aspect of the lower limb
Position of the therapist
Walk standing position
Draping
Entire body should be covered except the massaging leg
•
Check that the feet are clean and not malodorous.(If necessary wipe with surgical
spirit or cologne, saying that it is freshening to the feet).
Examine before starting
By observation:
• Dryness
• Callosities
• Abrasions
• The presence of any varicose veins
• The posture of the joints, which may need extra supports.
By palpation:
• Temperature.
• Tenderness.
• Muscle tone.
1- Effleurage
A. To the whole limb
Effleurage continues at the ankle. Note the
hands moulding to the part.
Stroke 1 – effleurage to the front of the leg.
The finish of an effleurage stroke at the
femoral triangle.
Stroke 2 – effleurage to the sides of the calf continues
up the sides of the thigh.
Stroke 3 – effleurage to the back of the calf continues
up the back of the thigh.
B. Part strokes
Start of effleurage to the knee.
Position of the hands for either
an effleurage stroke or kneading
to the interosseous spaces of
the foot.
Position of the hands for either
an effleurage stroke or kneading
to the toes.
Kneading
Kneading the thigh: medial and lateral
aspects.
Thumb kneading to the knee.
Kneading the calf muscles. The knee in
flexion.
Palmar kneading to the anterior tibial
muscles.
Kneading the foot.
Thumb kneading to the anterior tibial
muscles.
Picking up – double - handed alternate – on the
anterior thigh muscles.
Picking up on the vastus medialis.
Picking up – double - handed alternate – on the
calf muscles.
Wringing the anterior thigh muscles.
Wringing the tendocalcaneus.
Muscle shaking – fingers and thumb
are in contact and the palm is off contact:
At thigh
AT CALF MUSCLES
Hacking the thigh.
Clapping the thigh.
Hacking the calf.
Clapping the calf muscles