MASSAGE ANATOMY General Disclaimer The contents of this book are intended to provide useful information to the general public. All materials, including texts, graphics, and images, are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for medical diagnosis, advice, or treatment for specific medical conditions. All readers should seek expert medical care and consult their own physicians before commencing any exercise program or for any general or specific health issues. The author and publishers do not recommend or endorse specific treatments, procedures, advice, or other information found in this book and specifically disclaim all responsibility for any and all liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise, which is incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use or application of any of the material in this publication. Thunder Bay Press An imprint of the Baker & Taylor Publishing Group 10350 Barnes Canyon Road, San Diego, CA 92121 www.thunderbaybooks.com Copyright © Moseley Road Inc. 2009 Copyright under International, Pan American, and Universal Copyright Conventions. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage-and-retrieval system, without written permission from the copyright holder. Brief passages (not to exceed 1,000 words) may be quoted for reviews. “Thunder Bay” is a registered trademark of Baker & Taylor. All rights reserved. All notations of errors or omissions should be addressed to Thunder Bay Press, Editorial Department, at the above address. All other correspondence (author inquiries, permissions) concerning the content of this book should be addressed to Moseley Road, Inc., 123 Main Street, Irvington, NY 10533. www.moseleyroad.com. ISBN: 978-1-60710-503-9 (ebook) MASSAGE ANATOMY A Comprehensive Guide Dr. Abby Ellsworth and Peggy Altman San Diego, California CONTENTS Introduction Basics 1 Upper Body: Back The Back Lower Back 2 Lower Body: Back Glutes Legs Feet 3 Lower Body: Front Feet Front of Legs 4 Upper Body: Front Abs & Chest Arms & Shoulders Hands 5 The Head Neck Face Head Targeted Massages Find Out More Credits INTRODUCTION Who doesn’t love a good massage? Unfortunately, booking an appointment with a professional massage therapist requires time and expense. But what if you had the know-how to give (or receive) a massage at home that was almost as good as one that you would receive from a professional? That’s where MASSAGE ANATOMY comes in. This detailed guide to massage provides you with everything you need give a massage in your home. The massage demonstrated on the following pages is a basic Swedish massage. It incorporates a series of hand strokes, kneading movements, and “friction” (more about that later) to work the muscles. Our massage is about relaxing tense muscles, improving the range of motion of joints, stress relief, and enhancing circulation. MASSAGE ANATOMY also offers you flexibility. When you don’t have time for a full-body massage, you can pick and choose from the techniques to create a shorter massage. For instance, perhaps your spouse has come home from a long day on her feet. You could treat her to a foot massage using the instructions from this book. Or you may choose to focus on the head and neck of a friend suffering from a tension headache.