Positioning for Success and Comfort

         

Most women have sat freezing in a tiny little exam room, rustling their paper gown, trying to read an old magazine. It happens at least once a year and is not fun, but part of staying healthy. It’s the gyn visit.

           

I’ve been there too, so when I decided to do massage with pelvic pain clients, I went about making the experience as un-clinical as possible. No paper undies, just warm, soft flannels and soothing music.

           

Which brings up a point. How do you massage groin muscles without, you know, being right in some poor lady’s crotch?

          

It’s not the most comfortable area to be working in, for client or therapist. And putting the bent knee to the side stretches the very muscles you are trying to massage. Plus the view. The client sees someone rubbing an inch from their giblets, while you get to see the client not breathe.

           

No, the supine lotus does not work. Nor does the bent leg supported by your leg. Or the bolster-supported femur.

          

Time for something a little different.

           

Sideline positioning for massaging the groin solves some of the basic problems such as vulnerability for the client -- and takes the stretch off already traumatized muscles.

          

I like to have the sideline client supported with a comfy pillow, top leg on a flat bolster and the bottom leg extended straight on the table. A simple tuck of the sheet in between  the legs and I can get at the worst offenders - adductor magnus, gracilis, etc. without having the client feel too invaded. And surprisingly, even light transverse friction on the muscular origins is well-tolerated.

           

Best of all, for many clients simply seeking relief from a severe leg pull, I can even do this type of massage while the client is fully clothed, giving them an extra layer and sense of security.