Sports/Deep Tissue Technique Class
Massage Back of the Legs
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Starting at the ankle, effleurage whole
leg to apply oil, warm and soften
Massage Back of the Legs

At the top of a full leg effleurage,
transition to circular effleurage of
gluteals, stroking up lateral to the
sacrum, then out around the top,
alternately following above and below
the iliac crest.
Massage Back of the Legs

Switch to working the low back/gluteal
area with opposing hands (arms crossed
in front of you) – as lower hand strokes
up the side of the lumbar erectors to the
12th rib, the other strokes down across
gluteus maximus and medius, creating
traction in the low back
Massage Back of the Legs

Petrissage low back and gluteals
Approach lumbar area from the side,
kneading between 12th rib and iliac
crest, then continue kneading
gluteus maximus, including distal
portion
Massage Back of the Legs

General and specific compressions to
gluteals
 General is twisting compression with hip
ROM (BMT)
Massage Back of the Legs
 Specific – place pad of thumb of uphill hand
over tissue, compressing it with heel of other
hand. Begin just lateral of lower sacrum,
working up alongside, then out under the lip
of the iliac crest, covering gluteus maximus
and medius origins
Massage Back of the Legs

Facing down the table, apply slow deep
effleurage with inside forearm or fist,
stroking down across gluteus maximus,
lateral to the sacrum

Repeat deep effleurage in several
passes, taking a different angle,
following parallel to gluteus maximus
fibers, from O to I
Massage Back of the Legs

Effleurage gluteals to close
Massage Back of the Legs

Effleurage posterior thigh
Massage Back of the Legs

Apply compressive effleurage to
hamstrings, I to O
 Pressure is focused on the hamstring group,
as brisk effleurages are repeated to warm
and flush the group
Massage Back of the Legs
Full thigh, superior to inferior.
 Wring thigh, superior to inferior.
 Knead thigh in 3 passes, starting at top
of lateral thigh.

Massage Back of the Legs
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Compress hamstrings (BMT) including
fiber spreading
Bottom hand flex/extend knee, while upper
compresses with palm, heel, or loose fist.
Work from O to I, both medially and laterally.
Apply pressure when muscle is slack, sustain
while lengthening, then release pressure while
shortening muscle again
Massage Back of the Legs

Deep transverse friction
Supported fingers apply cross fiber friction to
medial, then lateral hamstrings, from O to I.
Feel for adhesions, trigger points, or tense
areas. If you find them, come back to melt,
using proximal ulna.
Massage Back of the Legs

Deep effleurage hamstrings
 Beginning just inferior of ischial tuberosity,
use forearm to effleurage hamstrings deeply
from O to I, easing pressure a bit over
tendons of insertion
Massage Back of the Legs

Move receiver into “figure 4” position
 Facing up the table, inside arm holds ankle
in crook of elbow, with hand near medial
knee.
Massage Back of the Legs

Move receiver into “figure 4” position
 As inside arm simultaneously laterally
rotates and flexes the hip, outside hand
uses outside edge of drape to help pull thigh
into position, keeping the drape secure,
 Check with receiver about comfort with
amount of flexion (60-90 degrees needed)
Massage Back of the Legs

Apply compressive effleurage to vastus
lateralis and the I T Band, distal to
proximal
Massage Back of the Legs

Apply fulling to vastus lateralis and the I
T Band, distal to proximal
Massage Back of the Legs

Effleurage slowly and deeply down the I
T Band to the knee, using both fists
together. Check in early about pressure!
Massage Back of the Legs

Return the leg to original position

Effleurage thigh to close

Apply gentle circular thumb effleurage
behind the knee
Massage Back of the Legs
Compressive effleurage calf briskly from
ankle to knee (3 times).
 Full calf from the knee down.
 Wring calf from the knee down.
 Knead calf (include Achilles tendon and
calcaneus in kneading).

Massage Back of the Legs

Apply thumb circles up the calf in 3
passes
Massage Back of the Legs
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Strip the calf, I to O, in multiple passes
Massage Back of the Legs

Strip soleus edges, anterior to gastroc
heads
 In several passes, strip medial and lateral
aspects simultaneously, using fingertips
Massage Back of the Legs

Strip soleus edges, anterior to gastroc
heads
 In several passes, strip medial and lateral
aspects simultaneously, using fingertips
Massage Back of the Legs
Apply melting to any adhesions, trigger points,
or tense areas found
Massage Back of the Legs

With knee flexed to 45 degrees, use
fingertips of upper hand to cross fiber
the soleus belly, working between the
bellies of the gastroc
Massage Back of the Legs
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Apply compressive effleurage to the calf
to flush
Massage Back of the Legs

Apply deep effleurage to the calf, O to I,
using forearm
Massage Back of the Legs

Squeeze the foot and apply other
massage to the foot as time allows
Massage Back of the Legs

Finish the leg with full effleurage and
nerve strokes