Ryan Jay Hoyme LMT BCTMB - The Complete Guide to Modern Massage: Step-by-Step Massage Basics and Techniques from Around the World

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Interior Designer: Liz Cosgrove

Designer: Amy King

Editor: Melissa Valentine

Production Editor: Andrew Yackira

Illustrations Christy Ni, 2018;

Peter Hermes Furian/Shutterstock.com

Alexa Hoyme, 2018.

ISBN: Print 978-1-64152-206-9

eBook 978-1-64152-207-6

In memory of my beloved little sister, Beth Ann

Contents

M assage has many widely known benefits including relaxation, pain relief, and stress reduction. But I admit that my first experience with massage was... less than pleasant. I never would have guessed that I would go on to become a licensed massage therapist and teacher known as the Massage Nerd.

For that first massage, when I was 21, I went to a Chinese Medicine practitioner for a back injury. He performed fire cupping (using glass cups that are heated inside and then quickly placed on the body) and barefoot massage (where the practitioner holds onto a beam to support his weight while using his feet to massage the client). Id never even heard of those techniques and at no point did he explain to me what he was doing! I did start to feel a little better after the treatment, but the sense of surprise and lack of communication didnt make me eager to go back. Even still, the relief I felt was undeniable and soon, another injury would lead me back to the massage table.

I was reintroduced to massage after I injured myself while helping lift patients in the nursing home where I was working. I made some appointments to see a physical therapist, but after months of doing stretches and exercises, nothing seemed to help. Then the physical therapist started to incorporate massage therapy into our sessions and I only then started to feel better. Ive been hooked ever since. In fact, the healing benefits were so profound, I decided to pivot my career and study massage. I enrolled in a massage program the following month. After I completed my schooling, I worked as a massage therapist in a health club, and eventually in private practice. I was working toward running my own massage business full-time when I got a call from somebody asking if Id be interested in teaching massage therapy. I was shocked because Id never spoken in front of people before, let alone taughtjust the thought of it made me break out in a sweat. But I decided to give it a go and I'm so glad I did. Ive taught thousands of students over the years, and while they learned a lot from me, I believe I learned so much more from them. I learned about passion, perseverance, and resolve. I came to understand that people learn at different paces and in different ways. And, perhaps most importantly, I learned about the power of visual teaching.

During my 12year teaching career I noticed that most massage books didnt show a wide enough range of techniques. After the first class I taught, I decided to draw my methods and give them to my students. I cant draw to save my life, and the students laughed at the illustrations, but they were still always using my manual. I noticed that some students needed a little more help, so I started creating videos of my techniques. Back then in 2006, most massage therapists were not recording their massage techniques. Videos were one of the main things that helped me get known in the massage profession, and I owe this to my students.

Around that time, a student called me a massage nerd, and something clicked. I immediately bought the domain MassageNerd.com . Over the years Ive shot over 5,000 videos and grown a dedicated following on my YouTube channel. Ive been a massage therapist for 21 years and while Im no longer actively teaching, I continue to educate people through my website and social media. Teaching massage is my passion, and its an honor to share this knowledge with you.

There are over 200 different styles of massage, and it can get a little confusing to decipher how the methods differ and which is best for you. Most of the techniques in this book are Western-based (Swedish massage), but many are influenced by other methods from around the world, including Thai massage, Tui na massage (Chinese), Shiatsu (Japanese), and more.

In the first part of this book, I walk you through the history of massage, the mind-body connection, and basic anatomy, providing you with the foundation you need for giving and receiving massage. From there, I offer massage techniques for the whole body complete with step-by-step instructions and helpful illustrations. I also share instructions for my favorite styles from around the world; positions and techniques for special life circumstances, such as prenatal, baby, couples, and senior massage; and special healing techniques for pain. When starting any new program, such as the massage techniques presented in this book, always consult your physician or other healthcare professional. The information in this book is not intended to diagnose or cure any medical condition or to replace your healthcare professional. Consult with your healthcare professional if you have any concerns about any of the techniques in this book. If you experience any pain or difficulty with any technique, stop and consult your healthcare provider immediately.