How do massage therapists look after their own joints?

[llenouciirciwaeri]

Hi there!
I'm a relatively new member to HP & have found it a great help so far.

I am just coming to the end of an ITEC Holistic Massage course with exams in June.

What is bothering me is that apart from a passing reference, at no time on the course have we discussed in depth how to look after our own joints & how to avoid damage etc. Of course there is talk about the need for good posture, but that's it.
As an older student, I am very aware of the need to maintain joint health and mobility & I practise T'ai Chi regularly.
Any advice from experienced practitioners would be welcome.

Freddie

 

[ppuwbdwc]

Hi Freddie

It is a matter of applying all of your body into the massage and not just your arms and shoulders, if you watch an experienced massage therapist it is like a dance as the body is brought into play with each movement.

An adjustable couch is a necessity for maintaining your posture as your clients/patients come in all shapes and sizes and so the couch has to move up and down to allow you to work safely and comfortably.

 

[Samuel Gaston]

Hi Freddie,

I have to say that you can't really beat the advice Paul has given.

As a therapist with extra wobbly joints (I've just been diagnosed as hypermobile) I would also recommend that you take good care of yourself away from the couch as well.... I take good old Glucosamine Sulphate which is good for joints as well as partake in Pilates classes and do some stretches most days. As long as you keep your muscles in shape, especially the ones around the joints you shouldn't have a problem. There is also an excellent book on the market called something like "No Hands Massage" which is worth a read. I found it on Amazon and it's got some really good tips.

Good luck with your exams!

LoL
BT
xx

 

[anonioureroix]

Two things that I found really useful when I first started out:

Double up: This particularly applies to deeper work, for example if your doing some deep friction work with your thumb don't use just one. Use both thumbs one on top of each other, but that doesn't mean double the pressure - quite the opposite, apply half the pressure with each thumb so together you are achieving the same depth of work but with less strain to yourself.

Avoid repitition: A really hard one! If you haven't already you will soon find a favorite stroke or two. For me its always been the Reverse Effleurage and Pettrisage along the Erector Spinae. I would love doing those strokes, but it isn't called Repetitive Strain Injury for nothing. I'm not saying do this stroke for your first client and then not the rest of the day - that would be silly. But if you can find some other ways of doing the same strokes, some alternatives that you can work into your treatments this variety will help give your body time to recover and avoid strain.

Good luck with the exam!

Mat xxx

 

[SillySally]

Wow! What a wonderful forum.
I just got back from a really awful day during which my handbag (including money, phone, credit cards, diary etc) was stolen. I logged on to find some very helpful & encouraging replies which help to restore my faith in humankind.
Thank you Paul, Bouncy Tigger & fozzyo. Your replies were really useful & encouraging.
I think I subconsciously use body weight shifts etc. because of all my T'ai chi practice. I shall bear in mind what you all said.
Freddie

 

[frankenjudo]

It may be worth enrolling on a course to learn some hands free techniques. By pouring your body weight through your forearms (which they can easily sustain - unlike wrists, fingers and thumbs), you can apply a much deeper, pressure with a lot less effort.

Lesley

 

[Fake and Cake]

Thank you Aromababe. That's a good idea & I plan to attend a course in September.
Freddie

 

[bob oso]

hi freddie, all above advice is good, in addition try spacing your clients 15 mins apart when busy (clubs and gyms probably wont let you do this) but more than 3 clients back to back could cause you problems.

Find a massage buddy to swap with, try to recieve 1 massage for every 10 hrs you give.
I see 20 clients per week on average so yes i get 2 rubs a week myself .

Make sure you get your forearm flexors and extensors stripped through or over time you will get wrist rsi type problems building up just like the currant uk workforce that sits all day at computor work.
best wishes steve

 

[Caniac 30]

Thanks, Stephen. I've just been to a T'ai Chi lesson & realised how much tension I carry in my right shoulder - & I thought I was relaxed!
I will certainly make it a priority to book in a regular massage for myself.
Freddie

 

[GemMouse]

Hi Freddie,
Two other questions:
Which joints are giving you trouble?
Is this a chronic joint-pain, or a fatigue related condition?
If you do Tai Chi, the energy and chi conservation/concentration can be developed into a brilliant massage routine, which not only feels good to give, but is capable of putting the receiver into an altered state.
The key is to work from the belly (tantien), and to use the forearms for long effleurage strokes on the back, to replace fingers in the kneading strokes on the quadriceps, rectus femoris, and gastrocnemius, and to use elbows instead of thumbs wherever possible.
Mike

 

[jonneyswife1]

Hi Mike!

Your reply is very interesting, particularly as you picked up on the T'ai Chi reference.

My problem chiefly concerns the joints of the thumb and wrist. It is quite probably an underlying problem which is being exacerbated by the massage techniques I am practising and is certainly worse when I am tired.

Freddie

 

[dev s]

I am reading this thread with great interest! As im still very much a newbie at this - I do IHM, and am waiting to start a new course at college in Sept for General Holistic therapies and Reflexology. but I have found that after a few good massages my hands and arms can ache! but must admit at the time I felt it would be better if I "leaned" into the massage and used my body more - if you know what i mean? - but to be honest thought it wouldnt be the "correct" technique to use! Looks like my inner self was trying to show me a better way after all!!

im still new on this forum but I am learning loads from reading various threads! Glad I found you all!!

Muddi