Since posting my last response I had the opportunity to work again on a small body and a larger body within the same week to compare Module 4's techniques on both.   I will say that the elbow in the groove and roll down across the back is awkward for me and I’d rather use the elbow in the  groove parallel to the erectors. 

Module 5:  Rocking and Transitioning Techniques

  While on a 3 week vacation my husband and I got massages every week and the last week his therapist found tightness in his sciatica.  So after we were home I practiced the last 2 modules on him, especially this last module and he commented how it really loosened him up.   Leaning into the buttocks with the knee was very productive for his big body.  

     I also practiced this module’s techniques on my client that battles sciatica and, even though she was used to the traditional massage on the table, she liked how these felt even though they were different.  

   The only technique I had trouble with in this module was the transitioning from one side to the other.  I just can’t squat low enough to make it smooth so I have to semi-stand up and keep rocking the body. 

 Module 6 Power technique, hamstring work,  hip rocking

 I definitely agree about what you say about linear pressure.  Sometimes I wish more of the therapists that I get massages from on  vacation would use more of your rocking techniques and rely less on linear pressure.  

   I really like using the knees on the buttocks and hamstrings now.  I can really get deep into those big muscles but it's a broad pressure instead of a pokey deep pressure that can be painful.  Also another way to save my hands.

Rich liked how his legs felt when I used these techniques on him before he officiated football one night so those will have to go into my toolbox of sport massage techniques for him.  

   The hip rocking is always fun to do.  

Your students benefit from the fact that you did.  I took a class in massage school named rocking and rebalancing but you took the idea to another level w more techniques.  

Module 7. Stretches for Sciatica

I'm already familiar with most of these stretches because you  showed them in the complete Thai massage course plus they're stretches when doing yoga..... why Thai massage is also called Thai Yoga massage, right?

My husband used to teach yoga in physical education class when he taught so he recognized the spinal twist and the knee pulls. 

My client that has sciatica troubles was impressed how good the stretches felt.  She usually requests the traditional table massage over the thai on the mat but I've started adding some of these stretches to her treatment.  

It makes sense to balance the leg stretches with opposite stretches.  

Module 8. The elements of a sciatica session and self-help exercises.  

As a teacher...my main profession until next May....I understand the value of educating clients so they understand the benefits and limitations of massage and giving advice to possible solutions.  

My client that has sciatica problems is small and quite active since she's in a home health career.  So my best advice for her was to have her receive the complete Thai massage and show her the stretches & exercises afterwards.  She told me that her doctor had suggested similar exercises before she started coming to me.  At her last appointment she confessed that she's too busy to do them very often but when she feels that pain flaring up she does the knee and leg raises and notices how much the pain subsides.  Awesome to hear!

Module 9. Other holistic treatment methods

Now that Im about done with this course,  I recently found out that another regular client has had sciatica trouble before and my sister complains of it now.    So now I have more people to really zero in on with techniques from this course.  

These are the tools and methods from this module 9 that I'm most likely to use:

Herbal Balls:  I learned how to make my own in an Asian Spa class in massage school.  I use chopped ginger and dried herbs from in front of my massage house.  It is very messy so I don't make them often but they smell and feel heavenly.  I made up a couple for my sciatica suffering client for her last trxmt and she really loved them.  The room smelled so awesome afterwards!

Massage Hammer: I bought a massage gun after you advised taking advantage of technology in another class.  Back class? Until this course I've been forgetting to use it on customers but I tried it on the same client and she thought it was great too.  Used it mostly on the glutes because her back is too boney.  

Energy work: It's really not my thing but I do try to "talk" to my client's tissue in my mind and to my own when I receive massage.  I have on occasion asked clients to mentally talk to their body.  

Another course enjoyed!