Updated back sequence

Core Stances & Terminology

70/30 Position: 70% weight on one foot, 30% on the other. Outside foot is forward; therapist stands next to the client's head facing down.

Parallel Position: Feet parallel facing the table with loose knees.

Stroke Acronyms: EFL (Effleurage / Glide), PTR (Petrissage / Kneading), COM (Compression), FR (Friction).

Massage Routine Sequence

Phase 1: Upper Back & Shoulders (Steps 1–7)

Step 1 (70/30 • Facing Feet): 2-hand full palm EFL down both sides of spine (erectors). Make 3 passes. Final pass finishes with a reverse "will you marry me" upward flushing stroke around the neck/occiput.

Step 2 (70/30): Inside hand palmar/loose fist EFL down right side of spine (erectors). 3 passes to clean out the tissue.

Step 3 (70/30): Inside hand loose fist/palmar EFL to upper back/shoulder (trapezius) moving medial to lateral. 3 passes tracing the medial scapular border.

Step 4 (70/30 • Facing Head): 1 or 2-handed PTR to upper back/shoulder (trapezius).

Step 5 (Parallel): "Bulldozer" 2-handed loose fist EFL over the shoulder blade (scapula) working medial to lateral. 3 passes out to the deltoid.

Step 6 (Parallel • Facing Head): 1-handed PTR to upper back/shoulder (trapezius).

Step 7 (Parallel): Lower the client's arm off the side of the table. Inside hand palmar/fingertip EFL moving inferior to superior over upper back (rhomboids and trapezius). 3 passes.

Phase 2: Scapula & Deep Mid-Back (Steps 8–14)

Step 8 (Parallel): 1 or 2-handed PTR to upper arm/shoulder (deltoid group).

Step 9 (Parallel): "Swimmers Sweep". Palmar EFL sweep alongthe scapular edge up to the arm base (teres major/minor) and from the inferior angle to the shoulder joint (glenohumeral joint) to stretch. [Replace arm after completion]

Step 10 (70/30 • Facing Feet): Alternating cross-fiber thumb FR to the attachment point of the levator scapulae on the upper shoulder blade.

Step 11 (70/30): "Broad EFL". Palmar/thumb EFL between the spine and shoulder blade (rhomboid attachments). 3 passes.

Step 12 (70/30): "Specific FR". Palmar/thumb EFL along the medial scapular border using a firmer tool (knuckle, thumb, or spine of hand). 3 passes.

Step 13 (70/30): "Clean the Erectors". Palmar/thumb EFL/COM down the spine (erectors, spinalis, iliocostalis, longissimus). Move progressively lateral with each pass. 3 passes total.

Step 14 (70/30): Inside hand/reinforced EFL down the spine (erectors) to smooth.

Phase 3: Lower Back, Hip & Glutes (Steps 15–20)

Step 15 (Parallel • At Low Back): Loose fist EFL to lower back (quadratus lumborum - QL) moving medial to lateral. 3 passes to squash QL and fascia.

Step 16 (Parallel): Fingertip/thumb COM along the edge of the hip bone (iliac crest), medial to lateral.

Step 17 (Parallel): Fingertip/thumb or knuckle FR on the posterior edge of the pelvic bone (PSIS).

Step 18 (Parallel): Palmar/loose fist deep COM into the gluteals. Apply pressure medial to lateral across 3 positions, leaning body weight straight down and holding.

Step 19 (Parallel): Thumb/fingertip COM/FR or full hand knuckles around the ball-and-socket hip joint (greater trochanter).

Step 20 (Parallel): Thumb COM deep effleurage down the lateral edge of the sacrum attachments, moving superior to inferior.

Phase 4: Integration & Closing (Steps 21–23)

Step 21 (70/30 • Facing Feet): 2-hand palmar/loose fist EFL down the spine (erectors), easing off pressure at the low back to complete the side.

[Repeat steps 2–21 on the client's Left Side]

Step 22 (Parallel): Continuous wringing PTR/EFL over the entire back.

Step 23 (Parallel): TAP (Tapotement) across the full back from shoulders to glutes to close. Lighten/change tool over the kidneys. Redrape client.