Basic Leg Massage Routine

Preparation

• Draping: Use a blanket and top sheet.
  • Fan fold the edge of the drape.
  • Pinch and slide up to hip for full leg exposure.
• Massage Areas: Focus on back of legs and glutes.

Leg Massage Techniques

Hamstrings

• Gliding Technique
  • Start from the edge of the drape towards the knee.
  • Use palm glides moving down the leg.
• Fist Glides
  • Turn leg outwards for easier access.
  • Use a "steam roll" technique with thumb and forearm.
• Ocean Wave Technique
  • Like wringing out the back of the thigh.
• Push-Pull Technique
  • Especially around the inner thigh and knee.
• Broadening Petrissage
  • Hands slide down, then pull back up with a squeeze.
• Fulling Technique
  • Requires wrist effort for sliding and separating hands.

Glute Massage

• Preparation
  • Warm up thighs first.
  • Ask permission before working on glutes.
  • Drape the side of the glute.
• Techniques
  • Use forearms for deeper pressure around greater trochanter.
  • Shingling with fists starting from the sacrum.
  • Two-fist method for petrissage, avoids awkwardness.
  • Focus on gluteus medius and minimus with thigh motion.

Calf Massage Techniques

• Fist Glides and Palm Glides
  • Adjust pressure between hamstrings and calves.
• Petrissage Variations
  • Alternating and ocean wave styles.
• Specific Muscle Focus
  • Gastrocnemius and soleus, careful with vasculature.
• Achilles Tendon Manipulation
  • Motion, bending, and twisting for plantar fasciitis.

Stretching Techniques

General Approaches

• Pin and Stretch
  • Hamstring-focused with knee bending.
  • Glute-focused with leg rotation.

Specific Stretches

• Quad and Hip Flexor Stretch
  • Use knee on the table to deepen stretch.
• Adductor Stretch
  • Thigh abduction and lateral motion.
• Calf Stretch
  • Dorsal flexion with knee pressure.

Footwork

• Love Heart Technique
  • Curl fingers and strip muscles.
• Sponge Wringing
  • Rotate foot flatly for comfort.
• Knuckle Movement
  • Pinch and shimmy each joint.
• Praying Hand Petrissage
  • Generates heat for the heel and calf.

Final Techniques

• Forearm Glide
  • Across foot and heel.
• Fist Shingling
  • Down the foot for final touches.
• Traction
  • Finisher to adjust and cover leg smoothly.

Conclusion

• Encourage trying out the routine and provide feedback.