Padding for Alignment, and Deep Tissue CE

The latest issue of Massage and Bodywork includes a great article on scoliosis and stretching. I would add to it something from a scoliosis workshop I just attended. Strategic padding can teach the body what healthy alignment feels like.
If a client's left hip rises farther off the table than the right when face down, fold linens into a prop under the less prominent right hip to restore symmetry.

This also applies to hyper-kyphosis and -lordosis. When your client is prone, place folded linens under each hunched shoulder and, if the low back is deeply curved, under the lower abdomen (from one ASIS across to the other).

With padding in place, a hyperlordotic lower back can tolerate more pressure. An extra deep lumbar curve is a sign of psoas tension, especially on the side that looks more concave when prone. This is best treated supine or sidelying. My Back and Hip and Twister Muscles classes teach a gentle psoas release.

2018 Classes, Jul.-Dec. (course descriptions below):

Sa Jul 21, 9-1:   Precision Deep Tissue: Neck & Shoulder
Sa Sep 8, 9-1: Precision Deep Tissue: Back and Hip
Sa Oct 6, 9-12:   Chair Massage
Sa Oct 20, 2-6: Keep Your Body Happy
Fr Nov 2, 9-6: Stretch-Based Deep Tissue
Sa Dec 8, 9-1:    Precision Deep Tissue: Twister Muscles
Discount if you register 2 weeks ahead!

Precision Deep Tissue: Neck and Shoulder, 4 CE hours
Neck and shoulder complaints are among the most common we address as massage therapists. Since the root causes of pain and restriction go beyond the muscles that hurt, lasting relief requires looking beneath the surface. This course is grounded in kinesiology and muscular/fascial relationships. It features targeted stretching and releases for the tight muscles and fascia that sustain the postures contributing to dysfunction in the neck, shoulders, and upper back.

Precision Deep Tissue: Back and Hip, 4 CE hours
So much low back pain is rooted in hip imbalance that this is a natural pairing of topics. Release tension and restore structural balance by targeting relevant muscles prone, sidelying, and supine. Pinpoint these muscles with pin and stretch, pin and rock, pin and move, PNF, and more. Focus is on front-to-back imbalances. Others are addressed in Twister Muscles.

Chair Massage, 3 CE hours
Have more fun than you thought possible with chair massage--while also being more effective! Stretch lats and pecs to help the neck, refresh aching elbows and tired forearms with pin and stretch, and learn an efficient hip releaser. Clarify practical aspects, including essential assessment questions.

Keep Your Body Happy, 4 CE hours
Play with yoga-based principles that maximize effective movement while saving your body. Integrate them into your usual massage techniques, receiving individual guidance. Learn strengtheners and stretches to keep you comfortable!

Stretch-Based Deep Tissue, 8 CE hours
Produce palpable results, even with hard-to-reach muscles. Give your hands a break as you keep your body moving. Treat the whole body using PNF, passive stretch, pin and stretch, and more. Draping tips included. An abridged combination of Neck and Shoulder/Back and Hip, plus techniques for forearm and lower leg.

Precision Deep Tissue: Twister Muscles
4 CE hours
Learn how to treat twisted postures that cause back and hip pain, using a new, incredibly gentle psoas technique plus releases and stretches for obliques, adductors, glutes, and piriformis. Read the body to determine when each technique is appropriate and when desired results have been achieved.

Filters are necessary and helpful... and yet, sometimes they filter out too much. In 2018, spam filters got stronger, and my April newsletter got caught before many of you could see it. To reassure your email filters, I'm sending from a new, verified and authenticated email address, leora@backinharmony.org.

You can register for classes here or through info@tibiainc.com / (608) 238-7378. TIBIA will respond. For classes at other venues or any questions about the courses, hit Reply or call/text me at (608) 332-9581! I look forward to hearing from you.

An NCBTMB-approved CE provider (#367) and lifelong educator, Leora Weitzman, PhD, BCTMB, LMT (WI #3833-146), RYT®-200, has completed Continuing Education in muscle-specific Deep Tissue techniques, PNF stretching, Myofascial Release, Structural Integration, CranioSacral Therapy, Reiki, Acupressure, and intuitive energy work. She has taught Kinesiology and Deep Tissue at East-West Healing Arts Institute. Her yoga teacher training had a therapeutic focus.

Warm regards, Leora (608) 332-9581 backinharmony.org