client with tight hamstrings during pregnancy

[Scott S]

Hi everyone,
I have a prenatal massage coming up next week with a client who is 36 weeks along. Being in her last month, she has sore hamstrings. Can someone suggest a good way to work these muscles in the sidelying position?

Thanks,
Lane

 

[Heaven Cant Wait]

I've been sitting here trying to describe the technique that I use for sidelying and man is it hard to really put technique into words. I'll try my best. I interlace my fingers loosely, then starting at the lateral knee I'll put my palms on either side of her IT Band (ulnar aspect points superiorly) then effleurage up the leg with the pressure being delivered by my palms and thenar eminence and letting my fingers come apart as I near her hip then bringing it back down to the knee lightly with the full surface of my hand.

Now I am not one to work much more than medium pressure effleurage on the legs, I never work the inner thigh, particularly this late in pregnancy.

 

[molitor]

Sidelying positional release techniques, fascial release, active isolated stretching, pnf stretching... the specifics would depend on what part(s) of her hamstrings are sore. Check the glutes, TFL, ITB and vastus lateralis too. Similar types of techniques would work great for those too.

Think INDIRECT methods rather than going directly at the problem.

 

[tannysyd89]

I am most appreciative for your replies and the thought put into them. thanks so much. I will be seeing her on Thursday this week and will let you know how it went.

blessings,
Lanie

 

[Kia Koala (Go Phils!!!)]

Sidelying positional release techniques, fascial release, active isolated stretching, pnf stretching... the specifics would depend on what part(s) of her hamstrings are sore. Check the glutes, TFL, ITB and vastus lateralis too. Similar types of techniques would work great for those too.

Think INDIRECT methods rather than going directly at the problem.

I know you've had pregnancy massage training, did they teach that these types of lengthening techniques are appropriate for woman who have relaxin changing the state of the ligaments, tendons, and muscles?

 

[D. (Da Dude) Danderfoose]

In general, I normally don't use stretching techniques with a pregnant client. The relaxin usually precludes stretching techniques - ESPECIALLY any static stretching. However, Active Isolated Stretching and PNF stretching use neurological principles and have beneficial strength-building benefits that may be appropriate for some clients. Rather than trying to make a client more flexible, I might use AIS or PNF methods to retrain dysfunctional innervation patterns to help normalize function of specific muscles and reduce discomfort.

In this case of tight/sore hamstrings, some very gentle AIS or PNF work might help relax overactive hamstring muscles, or perhaps release overactive aneforum.xxxonists such as quads or hip flexors that may be causing the hamstrings to work harder than usual. This is something I might do AFTER applying other indirect techniques to help the body recognize and incorporate positive changes.

 

[Ff-ff-ff-ffiown]

just an update... the massage went really well. I worked on her hamstrings and she was able to get some relief. Mostly, I think she just needed to let-go and have a massage. know what I mean? thanks so much guys!
~Lane