Anterior: Seated Neck, Head & Face

ANTERIOR TECHNIQUE:
Seated Neck, Head & Face (Right Side Only)

1. Neck:

Practitioner Position:

Sit at S1 on a stool. Working foot right (use your left foot to gently pin the opposite shoulder). Fold your Sarga Strap in half and slide the folded edge under the recipient’s head to create a hammock for gentle support and rotation of his/her head. Pay particular attention to keeping your lower abdominals engaged, no slouching!

Sarga Wrapping Technique:

No Sarga Strap needed for practitioner support.

Stroke Direction & Foot Mechanics:

Use your big toe/pad of the foot to pin the tissue superior to the clavicle. With your Sarga Strap, carefully rotate the recipient's head on a straight axis in the opposite direction, for a pin-and-stretch effect. Direct your pressure down and towards the midline. Target at least three different points, working lateral to medial.

Target Tissue:

Upper trapezius, scalenes, levator scapula.

Considerations & Contraindications:

Be cautious near the carotid artery and jugular veins. Do not use the Sarga Strap for aggressive traction to the cervical spine!

2. Seated Head & Face:

Practitioner Position:

Sit at S1 on a stool and bring the soles of your feet together. Gently pick up the recipient’s head and cradle it in the medial arches of your feet with the base of your 1st metatarsal at the recipient’s occipital ridge.

Sarga Wrapping Technique:

No Sarga Strap needed.

Stroke Direction & Foot Mechanics:

“Open and close” your feet like a book to massage the back of the recipient’s scalp, affecting the muscular attachments at the occipital ridge with the base of your 1st metatarsal. As you do this, apply gentle downward pressure with your hands on the forehead. Then let the recipient’s head rest on the soles of your feet as you work on the face and scalp with your hands. To finish, slowly slide your feet out and bring the recipient’s head back to rest on the table.

Target Tissue:

Upper trapezius, semispinalis capitis, splenius capitis, sternocleidomastoid, suboccipitals, scalp, facial muscles.

Considerations & Contraindications:

This is a sensitive area, and not every body will want work on the face. Be careful not to pull recipient’s hair.