4 Hands Are Better Than 2 : A Guide for Original Tandem Massage

by TREMPER, TERRITREMPER, TAMMI

• ISBN13: 9781556436116
• ISBN10: 1556436114
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2006-03-24
• Publisher: North Atlantic Books

Summary

Elite spas and resorts offer tandem massage as the ultimate indulgence, yet little has been written to educate therapists about this exciting modality. This practical guide, written by two sisters who have pioneered the technique, fills that gap. Part one presents 14 steps to creating successful two-person massage routines, ranging from effectively treating pain and dysfunction, to healing mind, body, and spirit, to building a thriving business and a loyal customer base. Part two offers a step-by-step integrative (ayurvedic mirror, deep tissue, Swedish, Shiatsu, and Reiki) one-hour tandem routine, a 10-15 minute seated tandem routine, and a tandem subroutine for piriformis syndrome. Each step, described in detail and photographed for easy application, contains solid therapeutic techniques to target specific muscle groups. These routines show therapists how to address both specific and general client needs, as well as how to maintain cohesiveness while working in tandem to keep clients balanced and relaxed.

Author Biography

Terri and Tammi Tremper live in Polson, Montana, where they own and operate Tandem Touch Therapeutic Massage. The twin sisters graduated from the Northwest School of Massage in Federal Way, Washington, and are nationally certified massage therapists and body-workers. In addition, they are educated in deep tissue, shiatsu, Swedish massage, injury treatment, craniosacral therapy, Reiki, and Jin Shin Do. The Trempers obtained additional certification in Ayurvedic Tandem Mirror Massage through Sacred Stone Center for Holistic Education in Rhode Island. They have since developed their own innovative approach to tandem massage that incorporates contemporary therapeutic massage techniques into the ancient practice of Mirror Massage.

Table of Contents

Introduction	xiii
PART I Steps to Success with Four-Hands Massage	1	(40)
Step One: Understand the Benefits of and Misconceptions about Tandem Massage	3	(6)
Step Two: Imagine Yourself Doing Tandem Massage	9	(2)
Step Three: Know Yourself and Your Fellow Bodyworker	11	(1)
Step Four: Develop Routines Based on Talents and Preferences	12	(1)
Step Five: Use Both Synchronous and Asynchronous Strokes	13	(3)
Step Six: Be Mindful of Each Other's Movements	16	(1)
Step Seven: Practice for Compatibility, Rhythm, and Client Comfort	17	(2)
Step Eight: Let the Body Speak	19	(2)
Step Nine: Utilize Four Hands to Maximize Stretches	21	(2)
Step Ten: Develop Subroutines for Common Conditions	23	(1)
Step Eleven: Listen to Your Client	23	(3)
Step Twelve: Market Your Tandem Massage	26	(3)
Step Thirteen: Take Care of Your Fellow Bodyworker	29	(10)
Step Fourteen: Be Creative	39	(2)
PART II Step-by-Step Sample Four-Hands Routines	41	(148)
Sample One-Hour Integrative Tandem Massage	43	(1)
(Combination of Ayurvedic Mirror, Swedish, deep tissue, shiatsu, and Reiki)
Steps 1--4. Back, Shoulders, Posterior Legs, and Buttocks	44	(1)
Synchronous---T1 and T2 palm down posterior body	44	(1)
Synchronous---T1 and T2 ``brush'' down sides of body	45	(1)
Asynchronous---T1 back and shoulders	46	(1)
T2 posterior legs and buttocks	46	(25)
Synchronous---Sequence to finish posterior side of body	71	(5)
Steps 5--14. Supine Lower Extremities	76	(1)
Synchronous---Sequence to begin work on supine lower extremities	76	(2)
Asynchronous---T1 bent-knee calf work	78	(4)
T2 straight-leg thigh work	82	(3)
Synchronous---Lower extremity connecting stroke	85	(1)
Asynchronous---T1 straight-leg thigh work	86	(2)
T2 bent-knee calf work	88	(3)
Synchronous---Lower extremity connecting stroke	91	(1)
Asynchronous---T1 performs lower extremity stretches	92	(3)
T2 performs calf work	95	(1)
Synchronous---Lower extremity connecting stroke	96	(1)
Asynchronous---T1 performs calf work	97	(1)
T2 performs lower extremity stretches	98	(3)
Synchronous---Lower extremity connecting stroke	101	(1)
Synchronous---Sequence to finish lower extremity	102	(1)
Steps 15--19. Upper Extremities	103	(1)
Synchronous---Upper extremity	103	(5)
Asynchronous---T1 left upper extremity deep tissue	108	(2)
T2 right upper extremity stretches	110	(3)
Synchronous---Upper extremity connecting stroke	113	(1)
Asynchronous---T1 left upper extremity stretches	114	(3)
T2 right upper extremity deep tissue	117	(3)
Synchronous---Upper extremity finishing sequence	120	(1)
Step 20. Neck and Feet	121	(1)
Asynchronous---T1 neck work	121	(20)
T2 foot work	141	(11)
Step 21. Massage Completion	152	(1)
Synchronous---Sequence to complete massage	152	(2)
Sample Fifteen-Minute Seated Tandem Massage Routine (Combination of shiatsu, trigger point, and Swedish)	153	(1)
Simultaneous---Beginning stroke	154	(1)
Simultaneous---T1 loosens low back	154	(2)
T2 loosens trapezius	155	(1)
Asynchronous---T1 palms down bladder meridian	156	(2)
T2 palms down both arms	157	(1)
Asynchronous---T1 thumbs bladder meridian	158	(2)
T2 palms down left arm	159	(1)
Asynchronous---T1 thumbs down bladder 2 meridian	160	(4)
T2 stretches left hand	161	(3)
Asynchronous---T1 releases trigger points of left shoulder area	164	(2)
T2 completes left-hand massage	165	(1)
Synchronous---Arm stroke	166	(1)
Synchronous---Arm stretch	166	(1)
Simultaneous---T1 stretches left anterior shoulder	167	(1)
T2 stretches right posterior shoulder	167	(1)
Asynchronous---T1 loosens left shoulder	168	(1)
T2 palms down right arm	168	(1)
Asynchronous---T1 releases trigger points of right shoulder	169	(3)
T2 massages right hand	170	(2)
Synchronous---Arm stroke	172	(1)
Simultaneous---T1 stretches right anterior shoulder	173	(1)
T2 stretches left posterior shoulder	173	(1)
Asynchronous---T1 loosens right shoulder	173	(2)
T2 compresses ``three pearls''	174	(1)
Asynchronous---T1 massages neck	175	(1)
T2 massages scalp	175	(1)
Synchronous---Upper trapezius stretch	176	(1)
Synchronous---Back petrissage	176	(1)
Synchronous---Back vibration	177	(1)
Synchronous---Back percussion (``hacking'')	178	(1)
Finishing Simultaneous Stroke	178	(3)
Sample Tandem Subroutine for Piriformis Syndrome (Combination of deep tissue, trigger point, and Swedish)	180	(1)
Identify piriformis and other tight rotators	181	(2)
Massage insertion sites of the rotators at the greater trochanter	183	(1)
Apply pressure near origin of piriformis	184	(1)
Work origin of quadratus femoris	185	(1)
Continue with steps four through ten of the tandem one-hour routine	186	(1)
Perform an extra stretch on the affected leg	186	(1)
Finish the rest of the one-hour tandem routine	187	(2)
References	189