Technique:
Sheet
Massage, The Ultimate Cradle
by
Leslie Bruder
|
|
|
Ten
Moves to Get Started
These
are just ten examples of what you can do with a sheet. Feel free
to improvise and invent your own moves. There is no right or wron
way to do sheet massage, so long as it feels good to the client
and to you. So play, have fun, and give your hands a needed break.
Head
Roll
The head is a good place to begin a sheet massage because relaxation
here will affect the entire body. I like to start in a kneeling
position behind the client’s head so that he feels safe.
Place the sheet beneath the head, making sure the panel is wide
enough to completely cradle it. Gently lift the head a few inches,
and alternate moving your hands up and down, allowing it to slowly
roll from side to side. It is important to go slow with the head
or the client may feel unnerved. Once you feel the full weight
of the head resting in the sheet, you can move a bit faster and
make the movements slightly larger. Eventually come to a standing
position, where you can more easily bring the head into an extended
position that stretches out the neck, by carefully pulling upwards.
Play
with the movements so that the head moves up and down as well
as left and right. When you are done with the head, gently lower
the sheet until it is resting on the ground. Wait a moment for
the client to adjust to the stillness, and then remove the sheet.
Arm
Cradle
Place the sheet beneath the entire length of one arm. Only the
hand should stick out. Holding each end of the sheet, stand up
and lift until the sheet presses up around the arm. Gently twist
the sheet ends together, so that the arm is encased securely.
Standing near the client’s head, gently swing the arm back
and forth, out to the side, then up and down. The arm may flop
and bend at the elbow. Pull the sheet up, toward you, and allow
the arm to roll back and forth. Gently lower to the side of the
body, remove the sheet and do the same routine on the other side.
When you are finished with the second arm, move both arms above
the client’s head and loosely wrap the sheet around his
wrists. Slowly pull up, stretching the shoulder muscles.
Leg
Swing
Kneel by one leg of the client. Place the sheet, folded into a
one-foot-wide panel, beneath his ankle. Stand up and lift the
leg about one foot off the ground. Walk around the feet, pulling
the lifted leg across his body. Keep moving the leg toward his
head to gently stretch the buttocks and low back. Walk back toward
the client’s feet and swing the leg. Make small swings at
first, then large swings, slow and then fast. Now extend the sheet
to cradle the entire leg and lift. Swing some more, eventually
making the arcs smaller and the movement slower until still. Gently
lower the leg and remove the sheet. Do the same routine on the
other leg.
Knees
Up
This move stretches the legs and back. Place the sheet beneath
the client’s knees. Take both ends of the sheet, stand up
and move the sheet with you as you walk alongside the body to
above his head. Stand in a wide-leg stance, and slowly pull the
sheet toward you, making sure it stays behind his knees. Have
the client take a deep breath and, on the exhalation, lean backward
with your weight and lift his knees toward his chest. Hold this
position for a few breaths and then lower the knees a few inches,
releasing the stretch. Now you are in perfect position to do the
Knee Flop.
Knee
Flop
This move opens and stretches the spine. From the Knees Up position,
stand at the client’s head with his knees pulled slightly
toward his chest. Allow the knees to gently fall to one side by
shifting your hold on the sheet. Don’t let the legs fall
all the way to the ground; have some control of them as they flop.
Once you have flopped the legs in one direction, lean back and
pull the knees back up to center and then allow them to drop to
the other side. Use your legs and stance to support your body
during this movement.
Knee
Spin
This is by far the most exciting move to do and to receive. If
there is a sheet beneath the client, it must be anchored in the
corners so that it doesn’t move with you as you spin him
180 degrees.
Begin
the move from the Knee Flop position, with the knees to one side.
Before you initiate the move, prepare the client by letting him
know that he is going to be spun around. Once he says he is ready,
have him take a big breath, and, on his exhale, quickly walk around
his body, pulling from the knees and keeping up the momentum so
that he spins in a circle on his back.
Back
Lift
This move opens the lower and mid back and encourages the spine
to adjust itself. Fold the sheet to form a two-foot-wide panel.
Ask your client to lift his hips slightly off the ground, and
slide the sheet through until it is centered. Straddling the client,
facing his head, pull the sheet snug up against his buttocks and
low back. Bend your knees and have him take a big breath. On the
exhalation, straighten your knees as you lift up and lean back,
raising his mid torso slightly off the ground. Hold for a few
seconds then slowly lower his hips back down. Wait a moment. Lift
again, and this time, alternately move your arms up and down so
that you are lifting one side of his back and then the other.
Note:
This move should not be performed on someone with back problems.
It also should not be attempted on someone whose weight you cannot
easily manage. Be careful not to lift the back too high or hold
the lift for too long, as this could be uncomfortable for the
client.
Hip
Tilt
This move opens up the back, shoulders and neck. It is easy to
do right after you have done the back lift. Simply lean back and
use the sheet to pull down on the hips, then move to one side
of the client and, stepping back a little, pull the top end of
the sheet toward yourself, lifting his body and tilting it toward
you. It’s best to use your body weight to lean back so that
you don’t have to rely on arm strength. Pull the body as
high up as the client wants, and hold it for a few seconds. Roll
the client back and forth, lowering and raising the sheet, and
eventually bring him slowly to the ground. Leaving the sheet in
place, move to his other side and do the same routine in the opposite
direction.
Jelly
Belly
This move requires the client to lay prone. Few people could lift
the middle of someone else’s body without the use of the
sheet. This move allows the client to experience a unique sensation.
Fold the sheet about one-foot wide. Go to one side of the client
and have him lift his belly off the ground so that you can slide
the sheet through until it is centered beneath his hips. Straddle
his body, facing his head, and pull the sheet up until it tugs
lightly against his belly. Adjust your hands for a good grip on
the sheet, bend your knees slightly, and, on the client’s
exhalation, lift up while straightening your legs (Photo #16).
Jiggle the sheet up and down and left and right by moving your
arms. Slowly lower the client to the ground.
Note: Do not do this move on a pregnant client, or if the client
has a problem with his or her bladder or hips.
Feet
Up
This move requires the client to lay prone. This move (Photos
#17-18) stretches the quadriceps and the front of the calves and
ankles. Place the sheet around the front of the client’s
feet, and walk alongside the body up to his head, pulling his
feet gently toward his buttocks. Hold for a few seconds, and then
pull further for a deeper stretch. Release the legs slightly,
allowing the muscles to relax, and then repeat.