Sustained Percussive Techniques and Neural Resonance
Most massage therapists learn a little bit of tapotement in their entry-level training for licensure, and then many forget it, or use it sparingly. This may be partly because they never mastered it, or didn’t learn percussive techniques from a true master. Oftentimes, LMTs can only do percussion for a few minutes because their hands and wrists get tired, and they’re not working from an established base of support.
This 4-hour live, hands-on course on Sustained Percussive Techniques will enhance and revitalize your massage practice by introducing efficient techniques for rhythmic manual percussion that reward the client with novel sensations and can have a positive effect on client perception of pain and kinesthesia. If sustained, skillful percussive techniques can lead to a state of deep relaxation known as “neural resonance.” Our bodies and our world are governed by rhythms, and neural resonance is a pleasurable and familiar state when it is reached.
Learn how creativity and a playful spirit are the ports of call for incorporating the power of beats per minute and humans’ affinity for basic, easy-to-perform indigenous rhythms. Drawing on concepts of Russian sportsmassage, music theory and practice, years of playing professionally as a conga drummer, and 10+ years of clinical experience with tapotement, Christian Green has developed percussive techniques that can broaden your clinical massage treatments and enhance almost all massage applications.
The ability to manually percuss tissues and joints for longer than 5 minutes opens a door to deeper parasympathetic states and a sense of positive well-being for your clients. Sustained Percussive Techniques can also provide you, the therapist, with an enjoyable and engrossing tool that is easy to learn and fun to use.
The class will begin with a brief discussion on why tapotement and sustained percussive techniques work, and why the work is so effective and pleasurable. You’ll learn its indications and contraindications, and concepts such as vibromechanoreception, percussive mechanosensation, and mechanovibratory perception. You will learn and practice at least three different manual percussion tools that Christian has developed, as well as correct body mechanics, breathing technique, stance, and hand control. We will also briefly explore percussion and music in massage as a form of neuro-art. Since you will be personally experiencing the various sensations and effects of sustained tapotement, wear sport-casual or loose clothing.
Click here to see a short video related to the work.
Christian Green, LMT, CLT (WA #MA60244051) is a certified Manual Lymphatic therapist, and a teaching assistant for Whitney Lowe and the Academy of Clinical Massage. He is an Ambassador for the Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA, Artsmed.org) as part of their young professionals initiative, and currently offers brief lectures on pain appraisal for performing artists.
Christian completed Cortiva Seattle’s 1000-hour professional licensing program in 2011. He played Conga drums professionally before transitioning to a full-time massage practice. His practice, Manual Therapy Seattle, is community partners with the Evergreen City Ballet School, and South Seattle CrossFit. He is a member of Neuroarts Blueprint, bridging bodywork with music theory through the use of manual percussion, and using vibroacoustics to highlight the synergy between therapeutic massage and the arts, with clients as the primary audience. He has worked with numerous professional athletes and musicians. His percussive techniques play a significant role in his treatments, and clients are fascinated with his work.
Instructor: Christian Green, LMT
Dates and Time: Saturday, April 26th, 2025, 10am-2pm
CE hours: 4 CE hours of hands-on credit. Class is limited to 8 students.
Tuition: $90
Deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable. The balance of $40 is due at class, by cash or check only, payable to Christian Green (no credit cards, please). If you cancel within 48 hours of the class, you will be liable for the full tuition.
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