MASSAGENERD.

COM
Presents

Draping, Positioning &

Pregnancy Positions

(On the massage table)

*Over 40 different draping techniques

By
Ryan Hoyme
CMT, NCTMB, HST
 INDEX

• DRAPING BASICS (2)

• SUPINE DRAPING (3)
• PRONE DRAPING (9)
• USING A SHEET (15)
• PREGNANCY DRAPING & POSITIONS (16)
• SPECIAL POSITIONS (20)

*DRAPING BASICS
• Draping is one of the most overlooked necessities.
• If you are not comfortable draping, you will not get that client back in for another massage.
• The trick to draping is not to expose any private areas and for them not to feel air.
• A roman drape (or sports drape) is when you tuck the sheet under the leg or arm.
• If you tuck when you drape, be careful where you tuck.
• You can have a blanket on top of the sheet for extra warmth.
• Some salons or spas use towels to drape the client.
• Some people use a flat sheet instead of a fitted sheet on the table.

Legal Disclaimer
All models are at least 18 years of age. The techniques, ideas, and suggestions in this document are
not intended as a substitute for proper medical advice! Consult your physician or health care
professional before performing or receiving a massage, particularly if you are pregnant or nursing,
or if you are elderly, or if you have any chronic or recurring conditions. Any application of the
techniques, ideas, and suggestions in this document is at the reader's sole discretion and risk.
The author and publisher of this document and their employers are not liable or responsible to any
person or entity for any errors contained in this document, or for any special, incidental, or
consequential damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the information
contained in this document.

Copyright 2001-06 Ryan Jay Hoyme

 *SUPINE DRAPING

*Expose only their upper chest, neck, and face

*Expose only their stomach

*All depends on city, county and state regulations (And your own beliefs)

3
 *Folded towels or pillow cases over breasts

*Have one or both feet exposed

*Just expose one leg

*Have one leg and part of the other leg exposed

4
 *Have both legs exposed

*Tuck the sheet under their leg to perform stretching (Roman Draping)

*Over the pelvic region (Towel or pillow case)

*Just expose the area you are massaging

5
 *Have their leg and hip region exposed

*Have one leg, chest, and hip region exposed

*Have one leg and stomach exposed

6
 *Have them wear their underwear or shorts

*Tuck the sheet under the arm (Roman drape)

*Over the breast region and over the pelvic region (Towel or pillow case)

7
 *Have legs, arms and side of body exposed

*Just one side of their body exposed

8
*PRONE DRAPING

*Have the upper back exposed

*Have the arms and upper back exposed

*Have one arm exposed

9
 *Have one side exposed

*Have one side, plus part of the glutes exposed

*Have the whole back and the sides of the glutes exposed

10
*Have only the back exposed

*Have one leg exposed

11
 *Have both legs exposed

*Have their calves and feet exposed

*Have the side of one glute exposed

12
 *Have one leg and side of one glute exposed

*Have half the back and side of one glute exposed

*Have only their sides exposed

*Have one side of the body exposed

13
 *Have the whole back exposed and one leg and part of one glute exposed

*Have only their gluteal cleft covered

*Have both legs, side of glutes and side of back exposed

*Have them wear their underwear or shorts

14
 *USING A SHEET
*You can use a sheet, towel, or the fitted sheet to cover the client when stretching
*Here are a couple examples:

15
 *PREGNANCY POSITIONS
SEMI RECLINED

,
*Pillow under knees, 3 pillows under upper back and a pillow under right hip.
(Place all the pillows under the sheet to keep them in place)

NEST

*One pillow under head and two pillows on their side (Make a gap where their stomach is).
*Recommended for 1st and 2nd trimester (Not third)
(Place all the pillows under the sheet to keep them in place)

16
 SIDE LYING

*One pillow between their knees, one pillow for them to hold onto, and one pillow under their head
*Left side is recommended for pregnant women
*If the client feels uncomfortable, place a pillow under their stomach

17
 SITTING

*Have the client side on a chair and hug a pillow

*They can also sit on a pillow in the chair, if it is to uncomfortable

SITTING ON TABLE

*Have the client sit on the middle of the table (More stable) and have them hug a pillow
*Have a stool under their legs if they have swelling

18
 CHILD POSE

*Have them hold onto a pillow, one bolster under their ankles and have them sit on a pillow

CHILD DOWN

*2-3 pillows under their chest, one bolster under their ankles and a pillow under their glutes

19
 *SPECIAL POSITIONS
LOW BACK PROBLEMS

*Place a bolster, pillow, or rolled towel under their low back

(For low back problems) (Place it under the sheet to keep it in place and warm)

LOW BACK PROBLEMS

*Place a bolster, pillow, or rolled towel under their knees

(Under their ankles when prone) (Place it under the sheet to keep it in place and warm)

LOW BACK PROBLEMS

*Place a bolster, pillow, or rolled towel under their pelvic region

(Have their head in a headrest if possible) (Place it under the sheet to keep it in place and warm)

20
 INTERNAL SHOULDER ROTATION PROBLEMS

*Have a bolster, pillow, or rolled towel under one or both of their shoulders
(Have their head in a headrest if possible) (Place it under the sheet to keep it in place and warm)

TENDER AND LARGE BREASTED WOMEN

*Place a bolster, pillow, or rolled towel between their breast tissues

(Have their head in a headrest if possible) (Place it under the sheet to keep it in place and warm)

NECK HURTS

*Have the client lay on the table without the head rest (If their neck hurts) and have them turn their neck to the
other side every 10 minutes

21
 KYPHOSIS PROBLEMS

*Place a bolster, pillow, or rolled towel under their upper chest

(Have their head in a headrest if possible) (Place it under the sheet to keep it in place and warm)

NECK PROBLEMS

*Place a bolster, pillow, rolled towel, or the head rest under their neck
*If you use a headrest under their neck, have the head rest the opposite way
(Place it under the sheet to keep it in place and warm)

22