How to Use Elbows for Shiatsu Neck Massages

Video Transcript

"RICHARD NEIL: So after you've kneaded this area enough with your thumbs, then, you can spend as much time as you want here, really. I'll move into using my elbows, which can be a little bit-a little intense here. But you'll work it in the same area where you feel the knots are, or trigger points, need to be worked on. Remove your elbow and your forearms slowly down the ridge, alongside the spinal cord, and just slide it off your partner's back, sort of like midlevel back area. Start off at the same point. I'm using my thumb as kind of a guide. I'm starting here where I felt work needed to be done, and I'm using this point of my--just after my elbow. I'm not actually using the edge of my elbow, I'm using just after my elbow and the forearm. I am just putting my body's weight. I'm just sort of leaning on to it. So I'm using my whole body's weight on this area. You can just rest it there for a while, trying to release that tension I feel. Breathe, Sarah, breathe. Just--you can wiggle your forearm down, and as it peels off to the side, sort of continuing stroke. And you could do that as many times as you like, three or four, remembering to work both sides. So you're working both sides with the thumbs, then, both sides with the elbows, and have your partner turn their head because as you're working on the ground, it's important since they're not in a bolster, or a massage table, or using a pillow. It's good not to create the tension in the neck. So I'm constantly reminding Sarah to turn her head from side to side. So when we return, I'll work on the shoulders further."