Cambridge University Massage Society

Beginner's course
Michaelmas Term 2011

A Beginner's Guide To Massage

CU Massage Society

Page 1

Michaelmas 2011

A Beginner's Guide To Massage

Welcome to the Cambridge University Massage Society Beginners Course.
First of all some legal stuff:This is not a professional course, and you won't have a massage qualification at the end. It is also
illegal to charge for massage in this country unless you are professionally qualified by a nationally
recognised organisation such as ITEC.
Now some slightly more interesting stuff:This course is designed to introduce you to what massage is about, and to teach you some of the
skills and techniques used in Swedish Massage. The teachers of these classes are members of the
society who give up their free time to teach you this course. Most of them have learnt through the
Beginner and Intermediate classes taught by the society and some are professionally qualified. The
techniques you will be learning are very similar to those learnt by the professionals, but we don't
cover any of the anatomy and physiology that is required to become a qualified masseur.
We intend the course to be as relaxing and interesting as possible for you, so to aid in this we ask
that you bear a few simple things in mind. First of all, for the comfort of both yourself and the
person you are massaging we ask that you don't wear jewellery, including watches, while massaging.
Also, you should be sure to check that neither you or your partner have any medical conditions which
may be aggravated by massage. Finally, you should be aware that you always have the right to refuse
to give (or receive) a massage. This kind of etiquette will all be covered in the classes in greater
detail.
The course is structured into seven classes. The first six will teach the various massage techniques,
arranged by the areas of the body being massaged (e.g. arms, legs, hands, feet etc). The final week
is a "recap" session. During this you will be able to see again any massages you may have missed, and
ask any questions about the massages that you are unsure of. You will also practise massage on the
same kind of massage table that is used when working at balls.
We hope that you all enjoy the course and gain as much from it as we have!
Hans Sonntag
Massage Society President 2011/2012

CU Massage Society

Page 2

Michaelmas 2011

Contra-Indications to Massage
Contra-Indications are factors indicating massage should not be undertaken, typically the client's
pre-existing medical conditions. It is essential that you determine whether any of these apply before
starting a massage.
Allergies, e.g. nut allergy (use grape seed oil)
Heart conditions, e.g. high or low blood pressure
Major Injuries: Broken bones, bruises etc.
Scars: Major (2 years), Minor (6 months)
Endocrine / Hormonal Disorders (Diabetes etc.)
Untreated severe medical problems
Contagious Diseases

Skin conditions: rashes, redness, cuts,

burns, swelling, lumps, athletes foot, etc.
Cancer
Epilepsy
Alcohol, Drugs and Medication
Unsavoury Characters
Pregnancy

Hands
A hand massage requires very little oil a few drops will do. You can also use moisturising cream
for hand massages, but cream is more rapidly absorbed by the skin so you may need to reapply
during the massage.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Effleurage (stroke) over entire hand/wrist

Petrissage (small circles with balls of thumbs) over and around wrist bones
Top of hand: pads of thumbs between tendons and skin between fingers
Work round each knuckle, down each finger and pull off
Fan out whole hand thumbs on top, middle to outside of hand, pivoting on thumbs
Turn hand over and massage palm with knuckles
Small circles with thumbs over palms, especially muscles below thumb and little finger
Work around pads of fingers and down each finger and then pull off as in 4
Stretch out palm
Final effleurage and sandwich off hand

CU Massage Society

Page 3

Michaelmas 2011

Feet
This is very similar to the hand massage. Make sure the client has clean feet, use one antiseptic
wipe for each foot you can always say no! If the client is ticklish, perform deeper and slower
movements.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.

Effleurage over entire foot and ankle

Knuckles on heel, then over whole sole
Interlink fingers (stationary on top of foot) and use pads of thumbs for a scissoring
movement over the entire sole
Thumbs between tendons and skin between toes, work down each toe and pull off
Interlink fingers for scissoring movement on top of foot (like 3, now thumbs stationary)
Effleurage on top of the foot, then stretch whole foot thumbs on top, middle to outside
of foot
Circle ankle with fingers
Grip and squeeze heel
Holding foot firmly with one hand, apply circular thumb pressures down the medial side of
arch to heel
Bend foot gently backwards and forwards and rotate slowly
Final effleurage and sandwich off foot

Arms
The client will be lying on his back.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Lift clients arm by the hand (handshake) and effleurage over arm with outer hand, then
change grip, supporting wrist with outer hand and continuing effleurage with inner hand
Supporting the wrist at all times, use thumb circles on forearm from wrist to elbow
Use thumb strokes along muscles on forearm
Now stabilising the arm at the elbow, apply thumb circles and strokes on biceps & triceps
Draining on upper arm (held across body)
Gently stretch arm up and back, one hand holding wrist, other supporting the shoulder
Fold the elbow and make several figure-of-8 movements
Effleurage, then sandwich off hand to finish (or continue to hand massage)

CU Massage Society

Page 4

Michaelmas 2011

Legs
This requires a lot more oil than the hand and foot massages, particularly on people with hairy
legs. Examples of local contra-indications for leg massage include varicose veins and deep-vein
thrombosis.
Always effleurage with the hand on the outside thigh ahead of the hand on the inside thigh!
Also, be careful to use very light pressure when passing over the front or back of the knee.
Back of leg
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Effleurage back of leg, adding more oil if necessary

Ovals inside and outside of calf, using knuckles or fist
Knead outside of thigh
Ovals on hamstrings, using knuckles or fist
Cup and hack outside of thigh, then effleurage to calm
Wringing over entire leg
Draining of calf- lift lower leg, thumbs down calf with tight grip
Circles up either side of the Achilles tendon (not on the tendon!)
Circles around ankle bone (gently)
Effleurage and sandwich off foot

With careful use of towel etiquette ask your partner to turn over so that the front of the leg
you are working on can be exposed. Make sure youre working on the same leg!
Front of leg
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Effleurage ankle to hip, outer hand first

Ovals over inner and outer lower leg, using knuckles or fist
Circles around knee with fingers
Ovals over inner and outer thigh, using knuckles or fist
Knead, cup and hack outside of thigh (NOT the inside thigh!)
Effleurage whole leg to finish

It is important that you learn to cup and hack correctly at this stage, before progressing to the
back massage next week. If you feel uncertain, please practice this before the next class. You
can do this with a pillow or cushion in your lap if you can't find a willing partner.
You will also note at this point that it would make sense to go from a leg massage to a foot
massage. This is a typical transition from area to area which helps to make a full body
treatment more fluid and enjoyable.
CU Massage Society

Page 5

Michaelmas 2011

Back Massage
The back massage is both the most complicated and the most enjoyable massage. During the
day your back supports your body's weight, keeping you upright. Most people develop back pains
at some point, either through an injury or simply due to postural problems. Massage can help to
relax some of these muscles that are otherwise stressed during everyday life.
It is important while massaging to be aware that some of the moves have the potential to injure
if done incorrectly. In particular cupping and hacking should never be done on the lower back
(below where the rib cage ends) as this endangers the kidneys, and nothing more than light
pressure should ever be applied directly on the spine. Diagrams have been included with these
instructions.
Throughout the massage, make sure that you adopt a wide stance and that your back remains
straight posture is of vital importance to a masseur! Its also necessary to regularly ask for
feedback on the pressure youre applying.
1.

2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.

Effleurage go up the back from base of spine with hands next to the spine, then come
back down again on outside of body (make sure to effleurage regularly throughout the
massage to keep the back warm)
Small circular movements along the top of the pelvis
Pull up and then knead side of hip
Walk around the table and repeat on the other side
Circles up muscles either side of spine, using thumbs or two fingers
Petrissage pads of fingers or thumbs along shoulder blades and over shoulders - you
can either work on one side at a time for deeper pressure or use one thumb on each side
Arm lock (warn your partner before starting) to work along and under shoulder blade
Move to head of table and roll over top of shoulder muscle (trapezius) with thumbs
Hook thumbs under shoulders and massage round scapula with fingers
Cupping and hacking (NOT over lower back / kidney area)
Plucking and clawing
Iron up spine with flat hand alternatively use index finger on one side and middle plus
ring finger on the other with firm pressure
Fork and rake down spine (combine with 12 and repeat)
Work up erector spinae: press heel of hand onto them and stretch out away from spine
Stretch erector spinae parallel to spine with both hands moving away from each other
Scrubbing with whole lower arm over entire back
Effleurage to finish the routine

CU Massage Society

Page 6

Michaelmas 2011

CU Massage Society

Page 7

Michaelmas 2011

Stomach Massage
Not everyone likes this massage; some people find it ticklish or generally feel uncomfortable
about it. Be aware of this while you are massaging and ask your client for feedback. Remember
that an aim of massage is to relax people find this difficult if they are struggling not to laugh.
Always use a clockwise motion when applying firmer pressure to the abdomen as this follows the
workings of the intestine. That way you can help relax the abdomen, which, in turn, can aid
digestion.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Effleurage stomach (diamond effleurage)

Knead and pull waist by hips
Using three fingers together, make two strips up, one across the top and two down the
other side in a clockwise direction
Firm stroking around abdomen, one hand after the other in a clockwise direction
Effleurage as in 1 to finish.

Face, Neck and Chest

This massage is great for people with headaches and very relaxing! Very little oil or pressure is
required.
The routine includes applying techniques across the tops of the pectoral muscles and the
underside of the collarbone. Be aware that this is a very sensitive area, especially for women.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.

Effleurage from chest, round shoulders, under head, lifting and pulling gently
Deeper pressure with thumb circles / finger circles / knuckles in the same area
Effleurage as in 1, transitioning smoothly up to face
Spreading from eyebrows to hairline (with thumbs); massage the whole forehead
Stretch forehead with thumbs, centre to outside
Small circles on temples (index and middle finger) and along cheekbone (middle finger)
Slightly deeper pressure on jaw muscles
Pinch and stroke along chin, from centre up to ears
Circular pressures around ears and massage ears.
Tapotement on whole face
Finish with more circles on temples (best move) and then joining effleurage as in 1

CU Massage Society

Page 8

Michaelmas 2011

12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.

End with ears between fingers, turn head to one side effleurage shoulder and up neck
Thumb circles and knuckles along the shoulder and up the neck
Effleurage up neck to base of head
Small circles along base of skull
Massage scalp with fingers (like washing hair)
Turn head to other side and repeat steps 14-18, and then return head to centre
Effleurage as in 1 to finish pulling under head and to end of hair

Seated Shoulder Massage

This includes some of the most intuitive massage moves and is very easy to perform, as your
client will not need to remove any clothes and you dont need any equipment apart from a chair
with a sufficiently low back.
1.
2.
3.
4.

5.
6.
7.
8.

9.
10.

11.

Effleurage to warm up muscles and stimulate circulation: use part of palm that is closest
to the base of your fingers to rub gently along shoulders and whole upper back
Use thumbs to stroke up the muscles between shoulder blade and spine, following three
different lines (to centre, middle, outside of shoulder), resting other fingers on shoulder
Thumb circles on upper back the natural massage move!
Move to left side of client, take his/her left hand onto his/her right shoulder with your
left hand, then use heel of right hand for deeper pressure on muscles between scapula
and spine & on top of shoulder
Repeat on the other side, placing clients right hand on left shoulder with your right hand
Pick up and squeeze muscle on top of shoulder in three different places (centre, middle,
outside of shoulder)
Place forearms on top of shoulders and push down (again in three different places), join
the movements by gliding gently along trapezius and a bit down the arm, then back
Move to left side of client and support head with left hand, then place fingers and thumb
of right hand on either side of the neck and apply small circular movements with fingers
on side of neck
Repeat on other side, supporting clients head with right hand
Percussion on upper back: champissage (press your hands firmly against each other,
leaving space between the fingers your forearms should be at right angles with the
upper arms then place little finger side of hand on clients back and start chopping with
loose wrists you should hear a noise due to your fingers hitting into each other)
Repeat step 3 (just because it feels good) and place hands on clients shoulder for a few
seconds and take some deep breaths to calm down and signal end of massage

CU Massage Society

Page 9

Michaelmas 2011