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Massaging the Quadriceps The Quadriceps is the muscle in the front of the thighs. The three middle fingers of the right hand are squeezed together and pressed into the top of the right thigh. The... |
Massaging the Quadriceps
The Quadriceps is the muscle in the front of the thighs. The three middle fingers of the right hand are squeezed together and pressed into the top of the right thigh. The left hand is placed over the right to direct more pressure. The hands are slided downwards till they reach the kneecap. This procedure of sliding the hands from the upper thigh to the knee is repeated several times and each time it begins, it is done from a slightly varying region on the thigh. This is done so that the muscles become completely nimble. Now, the thigh is held with both the thumbs. The fingers of both the hands are held around the leg. Further, pressure is applied on the thigh from all sides. The thumbs are moved in a circular fashion. Simultaneously, the hands are slided in the direction of the kneecap.
Massaging the Hamstrings
The Hamstrings are the muscles located at the back of the thighs. To massage them, the person must lie flat on his back. The right foot has to be placed over the left knee. The right leg should be held by using both the hands above the knee. The fingers should press into the backside of the leg. The thumbs ought to be on top alongside the kneecap. The hands are moved along the thigh and the fingers are pressed, simultaneously. This movement has to be repeated several times. At the end, the fingers should be pressed at the middle of the hamstring. Then, they should be rubbed across the leg from one side to other. Care should be taken, that the fingers move over the entire muscle.
Massage Techniques
For the Front of the Thigh, the following methods are used:
1) Effleurage means light stroking techniques.
2) Deeper stroking movements are called as Deep effleurage.
3) When kneading movements are done they are called Petrissage.
4) Stripping the quadriceps means the application of unrelenting pressure parallel to the length of the muscle. The iliotibial band is stripped.
5) Finally, there are circular functions.
6) For the Back of the Thigh, the methods followed are Effleurage of the hamstring muscles, Petrissage of the hamstring muscles, Stripping of the muscles and Circular frictions.