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Opening, Scalp & Back Warmup Lab

This fills the beginning of the New Routine before the regional back lesson.

Opening · 1 minute

Spinal Walk
Over the sheet, establish bilateral contact alongside the spine with controlled progressive contact rather than concentrated pressure on spinous processes. Goal: orient, connect and begin rhythm.
Over-Sheet Sweep
Broad sweeping contact through the sheet introduces the back as a whole region. Use weight transfer and avoid frantic hand-only rubbing.

Scalp Work · about 2 minutes

Scalp Rake
Move fingertips through the scalp with comfortable traction. Avoid scratching with nails.
Temple Circles
Small controlled circles over temporalis/temple region. Ask about sensitivity/headache when relevant.
Occipital Cross
Work around the occipital ridge/suboccipital soft tissues with precise pressure rather than pressing hard into skull.
Neck Nest
Support the head/upper neck securely. Client should not need to hold their head up for you.
Crown Hold
Still, intentional contact provides a transition before moving into back work.

Full Back Warmup · about 2 minutes

Secure & Undrape
Confirm the back drape is secure before exposing the treatment region. Exposure is part of professional technique.
River Glide
Broad lubricant-spreading glide to warm and map the back. Stay on soft tissue and regulate pressure through stance.
Trap Knead
Petrissage/kneading through upper trapezius within comfort. Distinguish trapezius from clavicle/acromion/cervical structures.

Side-to-Side Full Coverage · about 2 minutes each side

Shoulder Sweep → connect upper back into shoulder/arm.
Hand Traction → support hand/wrist and use gentle longitudinal traction, never yanking.
Forearm Flow → broad work along forearm muscle compartments while protecting superficial bony landmarks.
Muscle Strip → more specific longitudinal work along a chosen muscle path; specificity replaces excessive force.
Arm Knead → petrissage of appropriate arm musculature, avoiding aggressive pressure in axilla/cubital fossa.
Sweep Transition → reconnect arm to shoulder/back and move to the opposite side.
Forearm Wringing of Torso → transition into focused back work with broad controlled contact.

Practical checkoff

Student should perform the named sequence without prompting, maintain secure draping, identify spine/scapula/upper trapezius/arm compartments, support the limb during traction, protect cubital fossa/axilla, use efficient weight transfer and transition smoothly into the low-back sequence.