This document provides suggestions for a stress reduction protocol for massage clients suffering from chronic conditions like fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. It outlines preparatory relaxation techniques, myofascial release methods like cross-hand stretches and leg/arm pulls, acupressure point treatment, breathing exercises, and concluding stretches. The protocol is designed to reduce stress and tension in the body through deep tissue work, fascial release, trigger point therapy, and integrating the client's breath.

1. 28 Issue 90 2015
There are many times in clinic where a more
overall stress reduction protocol is called for.
This is particularly the case for conditons such
as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, rheumatoid
arthritis and IBS. The following are some ideas
but be creative and adapt as necessary.
Preparatory work
• Begin with some deep grounding and
relaxation work for your client. In horse
stance lay both your forearms on either side
of the spine. Lean your weight in gradually
sinking down a bit deeper with each out
breath of your client. Wait and hold the
pressure as you feel your client gradually
starting to relax and slow their breath
• Double palming: Now work both erector
spinae at the same time by using a double
palming technique while kneeling on the
table in proposal stance
• Shu points: Now work the acupressure
“Back Shu” points (also known as
associated points). The back shu points
are found 1.5 tsun lateral and level with the
spinous processes of each vertebrae (1
tsun = client’s thumb width). Each back shu
point corresponds to an organ in Chinese
medicine and the points are used for
treatment of chronic conditions. Start at the
associated point for the lung (BL 13) which
is level with T3 (to find T3 come to the root
of the spine of the scapula and draw a line
back to the spine. Alternatively count down
3 vertebrae from the prominent C7 which
usually sticks out a bit on the back of the
neck).
Using supported thumbs work bilaterally
coming down one vertebrae at a time to work
all the associated points
advancedcpdadvancedcpda
Massage Fusion:
The Jing Method for the
treatment of chronic pain
The following extract is taken from the exciting new book “Massage Fusion: The
Jing Method for the treatment of chronic pain”. “Massage Fusion” is an essential
companion for any massage therapist interested in treating common pain issues.
Co-written by regular ‘Massage World’ contributors, Rachel Fairweather and
Meghan Mari, the authors offer a practical and dynamic step-by-step approach to
gaining results with persistent client problems such as low back pain, neck pain,
headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, TMJ, stress related conditions and stubborn
sporting injuries.
The extract below is taken from one of the practical chapters illustrating a
suggested step by step protocol for treating chronic pain and stress related
conditions. The Jing method is based on a unique formulation of advanced
techniques using the ‘HFMAST’ formula:
H The use of heat or cold
F The use of fascial techniques – both direct and indirect methods
M Treating muscles with precise trigger point therapy – specifically treating
ALL the muscles around an affected joint to release trigger points
A Acupressure. Treating relevant acupressure points
S Stretching – using stretching techniques such as static, PNF or active isolated stretching
T Teaching the client self help strategies that lie within the massage therapists scope of practice.
This would include for example self trigger point treatment, simple breathing techniques, stretching or
mobilisation exercises
Preparatory work over the drape Double palming down erector spinae

2. 29Issue 90 2015
Fascial Work
• MFR cross hand stretches: these can
be performed in many areas over the back.
Place your crossed hands adjacent to one
another in the area to be released – they
should be a few inches apart at this point.
Sink down until you have a sense of being
on the deep fascial layers that runs around
and through the muscles. Then put a
stretch on this tissue so you have a sense
of tension between your two hands - like a
piece of material being stretched to a barrier.
If you tune in with your sense of listening
touch, after a while you will start to feel the
sensation of the tissue starting to move
beneath your hands. Make sure you maintain
the stretch and “follow” the tissues until you
feel the sense of tissue release described
in the fascial chapter - this whole process
takes around 3-5 minutes so you will need to
be patient! Repeat cross hand stretches on
anywhere that is needed.
• Leaning in with forearms: In horse stance,
use the medial side of your forearms to lean
into the tissues in different places on the
back. This can feel deeply relaxing for your
client.
• Apply wax or other medium
• Single forearm effleurage: Stand in horse
position at side of table, knees bent, spine
relaxed but straight. Shift your weight onto
the leg nearest the low back area. Use the
soft medial part of your forearm to work into
your client’s low back, making sure your
wrist is floppy and not tense. Shift weight
onto your upper leg for a light return stroke.
Continue gradually working deeper into the
musculature layer by layer.
Cross to the opposite side of the table to work
the other side.
• Power effleurage with hot stones: Heat
is fantastic for most chronic conditions such
as fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis.
If you are trained and insured in hot stone
work this is a great time to introduce some
dynamic stone strokes. Stand at the head
of the table in forward Tai chi stance with
a hot stone in each hand. Ask the client to
take a breath in and let them know there will
be heat coming- they should be be sure to
tell you if it is too much. Apply the stones
with a few quick strokes to the top of the
clients upper arms first as this is a less heat
sensitive area. Then glide down either side
of the spine using your body weight to work
into the erector spinae muscles with the
stones. Glide down to the low back with
the stroke, working slowly and deeply then
come back up with a light return stroke and
repeat. Breathe out as you work down the
body and imagine qi flowing down
your arms
• Deep Forearm work from the head of
the table: This is a deeper technique so
make sure you start with the other strokes
first to soften the area. From the head of
table in Tai Chi stance, start with the ulnar
edge of your forearm next to the spine (do
NOT use your elbow but make contact with
a more broad surface). Keeping your wrist
floppy, lean in and work slowly down the
erectors. Keeping a comforting hand on the
sacrum while working as pictured can also
feel god for the client.
• Client supine
• Stone placement: Place large heated
stones on the centre line of the body: on
the breast bone, solar plexus and belly.
These energetically correspond to major
chakra points, also anatomically to areas
of transverse fascial planes. Place your
hands on the belly and heart stone and
wait, tuning into the rise and fall of your
client’s breath.
• MFR Pelvic Transverse Plane release
(“Tummy sandwich”): The majority of
the myofascia runs vertically from head
to toe but there are places where there
are transverse continuities - rather like
the hoops of a barrel. One such place
is found at the pelvic diaphragm. Place
one hand under the sacrum and the top
hand between the umbilicus and pubic
bone. Make sure the upper hand has the
little finger side towards the pubic bone
to prevent your thumb straying into the
groin area inadvertently! Press the hands
towards each other very slightly as if you
are holding a water filled balloon. Wait for
the signs of yielding and tissue release
before following the tissue to the next
barrier. This whole process could take up
to five minutes or longer in some cases.
If you feel confident and sensitive with
your listening touch you can carry out this
technique with the hot stone still in place. If
not remove it and replace afterwards.
• MFR solar plexus transverse fascial
plane release: Repeat the above
technique this time with your hands
sandwiching the solar plexus area found
just at the base of the ribs.
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Power effleurage with hot stones Solar plexus transverse fascial plane release
Myofascial cross hand stretches Single forearm effleurage
Leaning in with forearms

3. 30 Issue 90 2015
• Leg pull: Fascial Leg pulls: Take the
weight of the client’s leg in your hand.
Make sure you have a soft grip. Lean back
until you feel the tiniest bit of traction.
Wait and hold and follow any movement
that is initiated as a result of the stretch.
Continue until you feel a softening and a
fascial release which will almost feel like
the limb is lengthening towards you.
• Wait for several releases, until there is no
more movement.
• If at first you do no get a sense of where
the limb wants to move try initiating a very
small movement - for example: giving the
leg a little lateral rotation, internal rotation or
compression and seeing where it seems to
go more easily, It’s like you are saying to the
leg “do you want to go this way? Yes or no?”
• Arm pull: Take the client’s hand in both your
hands and grasp at the base of the palm
whilst spreading the palmar fascia slightly.
Place the arm on a slight traction. Now wait
until you feel the arm start to move as if
of its own accord. Make sure you are not
consciously initiating a movement. Once you
feel the response in the tissues then you can
follow the movements whilst making sure to
keep the arm on a slight stretch. Watch out
for still points where the movement ceases
as these are places you need to hold on a
stretch until you feel the sensation of tissue
release. Follow the arm into several barriers
and releases until you feel the whole fascial
chain has softened and let go.
• Working the conception vessel: The
conception vessel in Chinese medicine runs
down the midline of the body and is related
to emotional issues. Working the area of the
conception vessel in the chest region will
help to disperse emotional tension that is
held in the chest. Put your hands together
in prayer position and work down the centre
of the sternum in a rocking motion with the
ulnar edge of your hand.
Working with the breath
The breath is often restricted in chronic health
problems and releasing trigger points and
adhesions in the muscles of breathing can be
very helpful for the client.
• Working the diaphragm: With thumbs
working bilaterally work up and under the
rib with static compression s to help release
the diaphragm. Work with the client’s breath
- as they breathe out sink deeper into the
tissues and treat any trigger points you find
by waiting and holding for a release. Work
laterally outwards moving a thumb width
further each time.
• Stripping intercostals: Standing on the
opposite side of the table in Tai Chi stance
use supported fingers to strip in between the
ribs to treat the intercostal muscles. Make
sure you also work the lateral portion ribs so
carry your stroke right round the body as far
as you can. Continue to the pectoral area,
working around breast tissue appropriately.
• Deep work to the posterior neck: Working
the back of the neck deeply is a great way
to bring the client into their parasympathetic
nervous system. Slide your fingers under the
neck and work slowly from distal to proximal,
pressing up into the posterior cervicals as
you do so.
• Cervical mobilisation: Gently move the
head in a figure 8 movement. Work slowly
encouraging the client to let you take the
weight of their head.
• Face massage: Finish with a good old
fashioned soothing face massage. Still the
ultimate in relaxation!
• Holding head and grounding: Finish
the session by gently holding the head,
grounding yourself and simply “being” with
your client.
Acupressure points
Here are several acupressure points that can
be useful in treating the emotional component
of chronic pain issues. These can be integrated
into the sequence at any point.
Governing Vessel 20 (GV 20) “Hundred
convergences”
• Location: Follow the line of the two ear tips
upwards. Where the two lines meet, at the
top of the head there is a depression - this is
advancedcpdadvancedcpda
MFR leg pull
MFR arm pull
Working the conception vessel
Working the diaphragm
Stripping the intercostals

4. 31Issue 90 2015
GV20. With the hands cupping the head hold
the point for 3-5 breaths
GV 20 is a powerful point for promoting
calmness and bringing clear energy to the
head. Traditionally it is believed to help open
up the crown chakra for connection to greater
spiritual experiences. Great for the beginning or
end of a treatment
Conception Vessel 17 (CV 17) “Chest centre”
• Location: On the sternum, level with the
fourth intercostal space, between the
nipples. A wonderful calming point
Use the third finger to hold the point for 3-5
breaths. It feels nice to have the other hand
under the head as you do this
Heart 8 (Ht 8) “Lesser mansion”
• Location: Get your client to make a loose
fist. Heart 8 is found where the tip of the
little finger rests between the 4th and 5th
metacarpal bones. A good point for calming
the emotions and you can also teach your
client this one as a self help technique
• Hold with your thumb for 3-5 breaths
Stretches
• Any stretches you know will feel great for
chronic pain issues. Here are a few good
ones:
Gluteal Stretch
• Take the corner of the drape and pull it under
the thigh so the client can hold the end of
the drape for security. Get into kneeling tai
chi stance on the table with your outside
leg up at right angles and your foot flat on
the table. Flex the client’s leg at the knees
and hips and place it into the fold of your
thigh with your outside hand on their knee.
Use the inside hand to hold down the other
leg and press the client’s flexed leg towards
their belly by leaning forward with the pelvis
into a lunge. As always work with client
communication and breath.
Piriformis stretch
• From the last position you can flow straight
into a piriformis stretch. This time take the
leg across the centre line, again leaning
forward into a lunge
Spinal Twist
• Finish with a fabulous spinal twist. Place your
client’s bent left leg over their right. Standing
side on to the table, anchor down the
shoulder in the pectoral region with your right
hand. Use the left hand on the thigh to take
your client into a gentle spinal twist, working
with their breath and communication.
Feels amazing!
Rachel Fairweather is co-founder and director of Jing Advanced Massage. An acclaimed
teacher and guest lecturer, she has been a massage therapist for 25 years and is co-author
with Meghan Mari of “Massage Fusion: the Jing method for the treatment of chronic pain”
published by Handspring Publishing. Based In Brighton, London and Edinburgh, Jing run a
variety of courses in advanced techniques to help you build the career you desire including a BTEC
level 6 (degree level) in advanced clinical and sports massage – the highest level of massage training in the UK.
Our short CPD courses include excellent hands on learning in a variety of techniques including advanced
stretching, trigger point therapy, myofascial release, pregnancy and hot stone fusion. For the first time you are now
able to learn these techniques at your own time and pace with our revolutionary new online courses and webinars.
Want to find out more? Please contact The JING Institute!
T: 01273 628942 E: info@jingmassage.com W: www.jingmassage.com
Twitter: twitter.com/JingInstitute
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/JING-Institute-of-Advanced-Massage
Training/133660816698821
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Acupressure point CV 17
Spinal twist
Acupressure point GV 20
Piriformis stretch
Gluteal stretch
Massage Fusion’ can be purchased from several outlets including Handspring
publishing (www.handspringpublishing.com) and Amazon UK. Signed copies
are also available from Jing Advanced Massage (www.jingmassage.com)