ADVANCED ANTERIOR TECHNIQUE:
Back, Glute & Leg (Right Side Only)

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1.  Standing Anterior Trapezius:

• Practitioner Position: 

Stand at S6 at the right corner of the massage table facing the foot of the table at a 45-degree angle towards the right. Standing foot right, working foot left.

• Sarga Wrapping Technique:

No Sarga Strap needed. 

• Stroke Direction & Foot Mechanics: 

While supporting the arm at the wrist & elbow, bring the arm up and in towards the midline to create slack in the upper traps. Engage the slacked tissue with your toes/pad of the foot and pin the tissue down towards the surface of the table and in towards the recipient’s spine, while mobilizing the arm to create a gentle stretch in the tissue under your contact. 

• Target Tissue:

Upper trapezius.  

• Considerations & Contraindications: 

Make sure the recipient’s head is flush with the top edge of the massage table. Be mindful not to “pinch” the tissue at the end of your stroke. Be cognizant of neck restrictions and other cervical considerations.

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2.  Standing (or Sitting) Serratus:

• Practitioner Position:

Stand at S1 facing the foot of the table with your (left) standing knee bracing against the massage table. Standing foot left, working foot right.

• Sarga Wrapping Technique:

No Sarga Strap needed.

• Stroke Direction & Foot Mechanics:

Adjust the draping to expose the recipient’s side-body, taking the sheet and tucking it under the recipient's right trapezius. Maintain the recipient’s arm at a 90-degree bend like in “Standing Anterior Trapezius” above. Start in line with the recipient’s xiphoid process inferior to pectoralis major with the pad of your foot. Using a “fanning” action with your heel as the pivot point on the table, drop your forefoot down towards the table. This is a very slow, short and “shearing” contact. Recipients may only take one to three contacts, depending on the length of his/her thorax.

• Target Tissue:

Serratus anterior, obliques, anterior intercostals.

• Considerations & Contraindications:

Make sure the recipient’s head is flush with the top edge of the massage table. Be mindful of shoulder injuries and restrictions in joint mobility.

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3.  Sitting Teres/Infraspinatus - 2 Variations

• Practitioner Position:

Sit on a stool at S1. Working foot right.

• Sarga Wrapping Technique:

No Sarga Strap needed.

• Stroke Direction & Foot Mechanics:

Variation 1: Maintain the recipient’s arm at a 90-degree bend like in “Standing Anterior Trapezius” above. Begin by “pinning” infraspinatus against the scapula, gently but firmly taking the scapula medially and caudally. Most of the tissue movement will come via gently pulling the recipient’s arm towards you and into your stroke while mobilizing the arm to create a gentle stretch in the tissue under your contact. Variation 2: This stroke is similar to Variation 1 but follows the lateral border of the recipient’s scapula with the base of your 1st metatarsal as the contact surface.

• Target Tissue:

Posterior deltoid, infraspinatus, teres major/minor.  

• Considerations & Contraindications:
  

Make sure the recipient’s head is flush with the top edge of the massage table. Be mindful of shoulder injuries and restrictions in joint mobility.

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4.  Sitting Side-Body – 2 Variations:

• Practitioner Position:

Sit at S1 on a stool. Working foot right.

• Sarga Wrapping Technique:

No Sarga Strap needed.

• Stroke Direction & Foot Mechanics:

Pick up the recipient’s arm and hold it at the bent elbow. Begin with contact slightly under the scapula. Glide down the side of the body with full plantar surface of your foot, gently mobilizing the arm for a pin-and-stretch effect. End by cradling the recipient’s ilium with your medial arch. Variation 1 (PSIS): Finish posteriorly, ending with your medial arch at the posterior iliac crest. Variation 2 (ASIS): Glide anteriorly, medial to ASIS and slightly into the lower abdomen, with your big toe/head of the fist metatarsal as the working surface. For recipients with large breasts, begin this stroke inferior to the breast tissue.

• Target Tissue:

Shoulder rotators, latissimus dorsi, serratus anterior, obliques, thoracolumbar fascia, psoas.

• Considerations & Contraindications:

Make sure the recipient’s head is flush with the top edge of the massage table. Don’t use direct pressure in axillary area; stay oblique! Be mindful of armpit hair.

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5.  Sitting Pectoralis Major - 2 Variations:

• Practitioner Position:

Sit at S1 on a stool. Working foot right.

• Sarga Wrapping Technique:

No Sarga Strap needed. 

• Stroke Direction & Foot Mechanics:

Variation 1: While sitting on a stool, pick up the recipient’s arm and support it at the wrist, palm facing down (internal rotation). Begin with the pad of your right foot at the head of the recipient’s humerus. The stroke will transition into your medial arch as you follow the superior border of pectoralis major from its insertion on the humerus to the manubrium by tracing the inferior border of the recipient’s right clavicle with your big toe and the medial aspect of the head of your 1st metatarsal. As the leading edge of your heel comes into contact with the head of the recipient’s humerus, bend the recipient’s arm at the elbow and guide it under your bent (right) leg. While holding the recipient’s arm with your right hand at the elbow and the left hand at the wrist, use gentle mobilizations to create a pin and stretch effect on the tissue beneath your working heel. Variation 2: This stroke follows the same technique but with your left foot and the lateral edge of your left foot as the working surface.

• Target Tissue:

Anterior deltoid, pectoralis major.

• Considerations & Contraindications:

This is a sensitive area. Be light with contact and use caution around breast tissue. 

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