How did U learn to "read" the body?

[Emee~23]

I'm a new student seeking some encouragement. I'm concentrating so much on how to hold my hands, which part of the sequence comes next, is my draping okay, etc. that I panicked when my instructor asked recently if we're feeling that we can "read" our clients' body (clients = student trades or family/friends for practice). I have a wonderful instructor and I'm absolutely loving the program I'm in, but I'm worried that I'm just not "getting it" the way I should be. How do you read a body? I can't imagine getting to the point where I can sense really significant things just by touch. Maybe my hands aren't sensitive enough for this? I dunno, I just get down sometimes and think I lack some special massage talent that other people have. I really want to do this -- and not just do it, but do it WELL. Any advice?Thanks!

 

[420xPASSiONx420]

How did U learn to "read" the body?

I think you are still "in your head." Similar to learning how to drive. Once you learn it and let go of the thinking, you'll just be doing it. Then, you'll be able to sense more. Does that make, um, sense?

 

[customizedsongwriter]

I can not say specifically to body work as I am yet to start my program. But, I have had experience learning many different things (jack of all trades, master of none is my mantra!)and do know that at the start of learning something new I can tend to be tense and thinking very hard on what I am  doing. After doing it awhile  it always comes easier. As for what defines "awhile" I suppose that is different for each of us. Have faith in yourself and talk good to yourself. If you like it and it sounds you do then I know you will find the ease and sensitivity in your hands you are looking for.Best of luck

 

[misty-dawn]

Once you relax about the draping, body mechanics, etc, you will begin to notice things more.  It also comes with experience.  That is why it is important to get many different bodies under your hands.  You will be able to feel the difference from one to the other.  Relax!  It will all fall into place.

 

[ANON123456]

How did U learn to "read" the body?

Sunheart, keep up the good work. It will come in time. I love what Jdcan said about being in your head. Right now, especially in school, you are thinking about so much. You are learning a lot and trying to cram it all in your brain right? The more you work on people the more comfortable you'll be.One day you'll find you aren't thinking quite so hard and you'll be able to use your hands like your eyes...you'll "see" with them. Good luck!

 

[Pompal 09.]

Before long your hands and body will have learned the routine and it will become second nature.  THEN you will begin to notice the differences.  One trick that I think has helped me is to close my eyes at times.  I suggest trying this when you are practicing on a friend or family member (not in class).  Just close your eyes once you have started working on the client's back and see what you feel.

 

[PUNTER]

As MBs5 noted...try to just give massages to friends at home without thinking about school....get the text books, draping techniques, etc all out of your head.  Relax, put on music that soothes you.Easy for me to say since I don't start school until thisfall...but I have been giving massages to family and friends for a long time and can definitely find the sore spots, knots, tight muscles, etc very easily without being told where to feel for them.Maybe it comes more naturally to some, if so, I'm one of teh lucky ones...but I think your problem right now is that you are just trying too hard to concentrate on all of the clinical and mechanical aspects of what you are doing.  Try to let go of it and put all of your thoughts and feelings into the muscles of the person on your table...it will come !!!

 

[ishita]

I am a student with ONE day left of school!!!! I am so excited!!! But... I have been there done that, and told that as well. I was told by an instructor during my clinical evaluation that I was "mechanical".  Looking back, she was right.  At the time I thought I was hot poo. I may? have been but I was thinking more about my sequence and what came next and am I doing this right? and what if she doesn't like my pressure? did I check in with the client? Oh crap!, I forgot the bolster again.... Anyway. The list went on and on.  Now, I'm one class away from finishing, I've got 41 hours of clinicals under my belt and I find that I'm not thinking about my sequence at all.What suprised me most about MT school was that I've learned that there is no real "right" way to give a massage. (I thought that was why I was going to school, to learn the 'right' way!) There are techniques that need to be performed correctly, draping procedures that should be followed but in the end it's all about intent (focusing on the client and his or her body and what they need).  At first when I heard my instructors speak of focus and intent I thought they meant to pay attentin to what I was feeling (knots, etc.). But now, I know it's about closing your eyes, relaxing into your own body, and let your hands talk to your clients body and listening/feeling for the response.   In clinicals I watch the whole body language of the client.  I watch their hands to see if they tense up, I listen/watch for deeper breathing, supine I watch their face for an eye twitch, a furrowed brow.  Don't worry if you don't see it, or feel it, or 'read' it.  It will come when you feel confident in the basics.  In the meantime, put on some music, some candlelight, get the oil out and work on a willing participant.  It shouldn't be too hard to find one.

 

[campus cutie 09]

How did U learn to "read" the body?

Everybody, thanks so much for the encouragement! I needed to hear that I'm not the only one who has gone through this and that it WILL come.Thank you!!!sunheart

 

[Mafia]

Sunheart,As the others have said, it comes in time... and with experience.  I have been told that after 1000 bodies you really begin to "get it." I have givne in the neighborhood of 500+ massages but only about 100 different receivers and I can say that although I don't always "feel" everything, I often "know" things with my hands/heart that I wasn't even thinking about or looking for.  The fact that you are asking means your heart is in the right place.  Work on as many different people as you can. Trust your intuition.Keep posting so we know how you are doing.LaLoba

 

[Pompal 09.]

At first I read this and thought about you reading clients who ARE NOT on your table....and believe me you will start doing this all the time when you see people walking around.{the gym is a big culprit for me...."oh look at the posture on that one....in my head)You are still "in your head" as someone else wrote.It's all clinical now.  You are learning the "right way".It will change into a natural flow.Have you had a blindfolded class yet?When you do you will appreciate how much you really do read with your hands.you'll get there.Robyn

 

[Donkey_kong]

How did U learn to "read" the body?

I think someone else said it, but I've recently found that closing my eyes - even just for a few moments every now and again - increases what I am feeling with my hands and is very helpful.I'd do it in class too - you're in the class to learn and experiment under the guidance of a qualified MT ... your experience may be worth sharing with your classmates - I'm sure that they are experiencing the same thing!

 

[dadada]

well, I can't read anything but the original title question. Either my old dial up is just not functioning today or just super slow.

But....
How did I learn to read the body?

Anatomy, anatomy, anatomy....and take your time!! Listen to what your client is telling you they are feeling. Ask them very specific questions about how the pain/tense area feels when they go through specific ranges of motion. Then go back to that anatomy. Know your muscles very well. Attachments, how the muscle fibers run, and what motion causes that muscle or muscle group to be under the most stress. Work from there.

If you are in a spa setting it is much more difficult to take that sort of time that is necessary for treatment massage. But if you are in a setting that gives you enough time to have a proper "interview" session with your client pre-massage great!!!

Good luck to you!!

Frances

 

[? k y k y ?]

find some one you trust...put them on the table...put a blind fold on...use the back to start with...you know what should be where...because you have no vision, your hands should be you eyes...feel the muscle...you will note the tension in it...knots will feel like little road bumps or sometimes even small lengths of rope...when I feel a certian amount of burnout...I give a blindfolded fullbody for free...it makes my hands think...

 

[ACDC]

In my most comfortable state with a client, I feel like I am in a trance and experiencing only through my hands. Often I feel like my hands are so much smarter than me. Music, being grounded, and of course my comfort level with my client all contribute to me getting properly in this "intuitive zone". Finding your "zone" comes with time and experience (everyone's will be different), the cognitive analysis phase is frustrating, but with your desire to push through it, you will, and I think you will be a better therapist for your struggle. Enjoy where you are and be patient with yourself.

~S

 

[SexiiShelly]

How did U learn to "read" the body?

You've got some good advice already - but I'd like to recomend The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook 2nd Edition by Claire Davies NCTMB & forward by Dr David Simons - co-worker with Dr Janet Travell - EXCELLENT :!: Geared for self-help, but as you map trigger points on yourself they become easier to find on others - and the pictures & descriptions are so good that you will find them much more quickly on others, eliminating much guess-work - When someone tells you their low back hurts, you will know to check their QL, deep spinal, superficial spinal, glute med. & max., psoas, rec. abdominus, & soleus :!: & why :!: This way of learning also was excellent for learning muscles, names & location

 

[Erik L]

Pratice, practice & practice!

And I still know I have a lot to learn!

I trust my intuition a lot too.

I'm sure I was pretty mechanical at first too, trying to make sure that I didn't forget steps, and did I do that to the other side of the body? Now I just relax and don't stress too much about it. I do what each body part needs to have done and don't worry about having the "exact" routine on each side. However I do make sure that if I stretch one side, I stretch the other!

I had a wonderful comment from a client. She is suffering from many issues due to a car accident resulting in severe spasms just about everywhere. In my last massage I commented that her throacic spasms seem to be due to the spasms in her lumbar/sacral & cervical areas, its just reacting to the stress of the rest of the body. She told me that is what her neurologist said! Wow! That made me feel good. (I had no knowlegde previously that this is what her docter said). Still being somewhat new to this (less than 1 year in practice, not counting school) its nice to know that I really do know what I'm doing! LOL

 

[Mushu]

I love stories like that, Talenyn. That's what we are here for, isn't it! Looking at har far we've come in such a short time, it's really exciting to think about where we will be in 10 yrs., or even just 2.

~S