Technique 1: Effleurage to the back of the leg.

• With the hands stroke lightly but firmly upwards from the ankle up the whole leg to the buttocks (image 1) and then down the outside of the leg.
• Try to cover as much of the surface as possible with the hands.
• Apply this technique 5 to 10 times before moving on to concentrate on the upper thigh and buttocks.

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Technique 2: Petrissage for the buttocks

• Use firmer kneading movements in a circular manner (image 2).
• Aim to move and manipulate the muscles with the hands.

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Technique 3: Stripping the piriformis

• Apply firm, sustained pressure along the length of the muscle with the heel of the hand (image 3).
• The Piriformis muscle runs from the base of the spine to the outside crease of the buttock.
• This can also be done with the elbow (image 4) to get even deeper into the muscle however it is more difficult to feel the muscle through the elbow.

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