[Care Breast] Step 1: The Circle Of Friction
[Care Breast][Care Breast] After showing you in the first part of the chest massage, more of the warm-up techniques, I want to show you a few techniques here that are really in connection with the chest massage.
[Care Breast][Care Breast] First of all, the circle of friction on the sternum. This can be sometimes a very sensitive area, especially for people who have allergies, or smoking, or have other problems with their chest.
[Care Breast] Step 2: The Shoulder-Chest Stretch
[Care Breast][Care Breast] Then the shoulder-chest stretch. Just make sure you use really soft palms because the front of the shoulder is quite sensitive.
Step 3: The Cleaning Of The Collarbone
The next technique is something that I call the cleaning of the collarbone. You basically perform a deep effleurage on the back of the collarbone. Try not to push into the soft parts in the collarbone, just kind of pull your fingers toward the collarbone itself. This will stimulate a lot of the muscles in the neck, and can sometimes help with headaches and TMJ problems.
Step 4: The Raking Inbetween The Ribs
The next technique is raking in between the ribs. You put your fingers on the intercostal spaces and try to massage the muscles in between the ribs. You can also combine that with a cleaning of the collarbone, this time on the bottom side. This area can also be very sensitive, so you have to be careful with your pressure.
Step 5: The Rib Mobilization
The next technique is rib mobilization. You basically use your palms to put pressure on the ribs. I usually do it alternately. And then also try to mobilize the sternum, by putting pressure on the sternum.
Step 6: The Finish
And then I basically finish up the upper chest with some finishing strokes.
