I need to switch Techniques! Pain...help!

[10242]

I've been an MT for 4 years. I've suddenly increased in the number of massages I do and I feel so sore and weak (even typing this is difficult). My hands have that chronic weak feel about them..like when you first wake up in the morning. I also have crepitus in the wrist joints and I'm terrified of Osteoarthritis.

I admit I use too much thumbs and fingers..I actually only use elbows on the glutes. I've been trying to learn how to use more forerms and elbows (my school didn't teach this! :twisted: ...why oh why? I guess they didn't want to warn MTs that they might have potential issues).

I have been practicing elbows on the Erector Spinae on my husband...experimenting and I find the backside of the elbow better (rather than the front or mid point). He tried this on me and it was heaven. The only problem is slipping off (due to lotion/oil) and running into the vertebra...ouch. I generally don't like forearms on my traps...too deep feeling - feels like it's crushing ribs. It's nice on hams though.

Any comments? Does anyone else have crepitus in the wrist joints? Should I think about saving my wrists for the future by leaving massage? Any forearm/elbow work advice for someone who really needs it (c'mon all you caring pros..please, any advice?)

I do self massage, massage, chiro & paraffin baths to help...but I'm still sore!

 

[Alessandro]

I would be looking at cutting down the number of massages you do for a while. Maybe you increased too much too suddenly.

Are you stretching?

How's your nutrition?

Rather than quit the industry, look into other modalities that don't use the hands so much.

I do Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy, where I use my feet to do the massage. This is not all I do in my practice, but it will help extend the life of my hands. There are other modalities that work with the feet.

Good luck.

 

[Adulthood]

I always stretch between massages..nutrition could be better as I'm dieting and not eating much.

Any advice...nutrition wise? Hmm starting to think about that thai foot massage....with bars on the ceiling? Is this what you do?

 

[Thinker]

Ashiatsu requires good hands too, you need to be able to hold on to the bars. Perhaps seated ashi would be better for you if you want to go that route.

 

[lolit]

i wouldn't leave massage.

i use forearms and elbows in almost every massage i do, usually on the hams, glutes, and back. strokes can be light, moderate or firm. deeper = slower. just stand in your normal lunge position and lean into the stroke. you may have to bend your knees more or raise your table slightly, or neither. you should be aware of bony landmarks, vertebra, and floating ribs; so adjust your pressure accordingly. tip: when you do hams and glutes, exhale as you stroke toward the heart and turn your head away from the body. reason: no matter how tight your drape, unpleasant odors do waft. :shock:

 

[Ross]

no matter how tight your drape, unpleasant odors do waft. :shock:

Amen Sister!!

:biglaugh:

 

[Courtney M.P.]

tip: when you do hams and glutes, exhale as you stroke toward the heart and turn your head away from the body. reason: no matter how tight your drape, unpleasant odors do waft. :shock:

Oh no! LOL

I guess using forearms & elbows would put you closer...I'll start putting essential oils under my nostrils for all massages - otherwise I tend to have a reflexive gag response that hopefully none of my client's have witnessed.

The worst for me was smokers morning breath with coffee. I had to leave the room for that one.

 

[Sudmeister]

when you do hams and glutes, exhale as you stroke toward the heart and turn your head away from the body. reason: no matter how tight your drape, unpleasant odors do waft. :shock:

Oh dear!! Where has the discussion gone?? LOL t005

Seriously tho, I know what you mean mush!! Sometimes you dont have to get in to close and it still bothers you!

Here is a question for you all.

This very thing happen to me Friday. A female client about 30 years of age comes in for a session. Basic swedish session, glutes through the sheet. Yeasty odor wafting up. Do you mention such a thing?? Ummm... you may have a yeast infect, I smell yeast. BLAHHHH IF it were me I would be soooo embarrassed! Would you have said something?? I elected not to.

 

[MeltandFlow]

"This very thing happen to me Friday. A female client about 30 years of age comes in for a session. Basic swedish session, glutes through the sheet. Yeasty odor wafting up. Do you mention such a thing?? Ummm... you may have a yeast infect, I smell yeast. BLAHHHH IF it were me I would be soooo embarrassed! Would you have said something?? I elected not to."

Oh my! :shock: No I wouldn't say anything at all. That would be devastatingly embarrassing. She might be aware of it already (the infection, not the odor). If I kept noticing it with every treatment, I might make up a something on the computer on female issues & possible solutions (in general) and leave a few in my treatment room (just for her) with a big sign, "PLEASE take one". :

 

[Erick28]

"This very thing happen to me Friday. A female client about 30 years of age comes in for a session. Basic swedish session, glutes through the sheet. Yeasty odor wafting up. Do you mention such a thing?? Ummm... you may have a yeast infect, I smell yeast. BLAHHHH IF it were me I would be soooo embarrassed! Would you have said something?? I elected not to."

Oh my! :shock: No I wouldn't say anything at all. That would be devastatingly embarrassing. She might be aware of it already (the infection, not the odor). If I kept noticing it with every treatment, I might make up a something on the computer on female issues & possible solutions (in general) and leave a few in my treatment room (just for her) with a big sign, "PLEASE take one". :

ooooooooh, good, non-personal, non-confrontational way to give that information!!!

I don't think I would have said anything, either. Wait - nope, I KNOW I wouldn't have!!!

 

[Yogi]

I need to switch Techniques! Pain...help!

I have been practicing elbows on the Erector Spinae on my husband...experimenting and I find the backside of the elbow better (rather than the front or mid point). He tried this on me and it was heaven. The only problem is slipping off (due to lotion/oil) and running into the vertebra...ouch. I generally don't like forearms on my traps...too deep feeling - feels like it's crushing ribs. It's nice on hams though.

To keep from slipping onto the spine, I've always put my pointing finger along the outside of the spine to guide my elbow up the spine.

 

[Dawn G]

I need to switch Techniques! Pain...help!

Any comments? Does anyone else have crepitus in the wrist joints? Should I think about saving my wrists for the future by leaving massage? Any forearm/elbow work advice for someone who really needs it (c'mon all you caring pros..please, any advice?)

I do self massage, massage, chiro & paraffin baths to help...but I'm still sore!

Have you considered learning some Qi Gong exercises/Tai Chi or getting acupuncture? TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) can be quite helpful.

Wu Jia Tai Chi Chuan is a good Tai Chi style.

There are different forms of Qi Gong (Chi Kung) – The Water Taoists methods of health and martial wellness begins with the 5 Basic movements: Arms Float Up, Push Forward, Push to the Side, Compress the Ball & White Lotus Opens; and then moves into individual meridian movements based on the natural flow of energy and the time of the season.

You could do some research on these and see if it fits your goals.

fozzyo has some information somewhere on this site about No Hands Massage. You may want to search that out too.

 

[I dont know do I ?]

I think a common cause for burn-out in our profession is that therapists start off using the tools that are easiest to use which are their hands. Schools should address this better and teach students to use a mulititude of tools...forearms, elbows, knuckles, fists.

As with any form of massage, it will take some practice for you to be able to use your forearms and elbows smoothly and proficiently. As mentioned above, use your other hand to guide your forearm or elbow. I love using my forearms and fists on the upper shoulders. This doesn't necessarily mean that I'm using deep pressure....you can use as deep or as light as needed.

Bottom line is that if you want to do massage over the long haul, you MUST take care of yourself. Protect your hands!

Angie

 

[whatever200312]

I have been practicing elbows on the Erector Spinae on my husband...experimenting and I find the backside of the elbow better (rather than the front or mid point). He tried this on me and it was heaven. The only problem is slipping off (due to lotion/oil) and running into the vertebra...ouch.

If you use less lotion/oil, increasing the traction, slipping is less likely. I also agree with the others who recommend using your other hand as a guide for elbow work.

If you haven't had any training in forearm work, I recommend you get some. I think classes are the best, because they allow for practice, feedback & coaching. If you'd rather study at home, here are two resources:

Book: No Hands Massage:
http://www.nohandsmassage.com/Shop/NOHANDSBook.htm

DVD: Forearm Dance:
http://www.atpeacemedia.com/pages/BODYWORKForearmDance.html

Lastly, some of my clients have had good luck with Glucosamine and/or MSM supplements, for easing joint pain. This is especially effective for people over 50.

 

[cannot_remember_chit]

Part Two: (I had a few more thoughts.)

Have you ever considered adding some spa services to your practice? Wraps, scrubs, body polishes, etc. They're good money while being easy on the hands. Hot rock treatments are another good option.

Also, as you learn forearm/elbow techniques, I recommend combining them with hand techniques, integrating both into your massages. A colleague of mine switched 100% to forearm work (to protect her hands) and ended up hurting her shoulders instead. I think using a wide variety of techniques is the safest.

 

[mac A]

DVD from Injury prevention based in England.
http://www.injuryprevention.org.uk/product.php?xProd=110

The trainer in the DVD was originally a trainer with the No Hands Massge company.

It would be good if you could find a training course in The States so that you could get a feel for how the strokes feel. the trick to using the techiniques is using your body weight rather than forcing it, having the correct stance and posture will help. I use a combination of forearams and my hands. I rarely use my thunbs as they start to ache quickly.

The career of a few of my colleagues at a busy spa ended in less than a year due to RSI/Carpel Tunnel symptoms. I survived becaude I did the No Hands Training course.

Good luck

 

[DarkLard]

Post removed.

 

[Wallace]

DVD from Injury prevention based in England.
http://www.injuryprevention.org.uk/product.php?xProd=110

The trainer in the DVD was originally a trainer with the No Hands Massge company.

Thanks for letting us know about this video/DVD!

I am always happy to be aware of things from other countries than the US.

 

[Psychodelic Chicken]

LKM,

I have been trying to evaluate my forearm work to help you out a bit.

I still think if you feel like you have "chronic weak" hands, you may have some energy issues to look into (see my post about Tai Chi / Qi Gong above).

But, here are some things I picked out for you as helps.

I generally keep my table a notch or two lower than what is called for in swedish work. So the first thing, I might suggest (but you'd have to try it for yourself) is to lower the table.

In my case, this gives me more leverage with my body and I can get over the client easier.

I can do elbow and forearm work pretty much over the entire body, even the neck and upper arms and lateral anterior calves. However, I save those areas I just mentioned only for my very special clients who need even more extra than normal.

So, let me start you with a few ideas for the back.

I noticed that generally (not always - so of course this is changeable to the client ) If I am standing with my body faced more to the posterior (foot) portion of the table, I have a tendency to work up the back toward the anterior portion of the table with the posterior portion of my elbow. I do this in a rock and roll type of motion, slowly, and move all the way up to the traps.

Here's your example:
Standing on the right side of the client, facing mid-line to posterior (or inferior if you prefer) toward the middle and foot end of the table - I would use my right elbow region more toward the triceps, not the forearm and with a small amount of lubricant, rock and roll the elbow region all along the paraspinals to the depth the client likes (mine like a LOT) into the upper trap region (this means sometimes I am facing more mid-line and sometimes more posterior). At the upper trap region, I will get in front of the region and now use the forearm portion (in front of the elbow).



Another type of forearms work I do is using the portion of my forearms in front of my elbow and rolling occasional into the actual elbow as needed. This work is usually done facing the anterior (head end) of the table.

Example:
Standing on the right side of the client, I would use my left arm and move toward the clients head. When I use this technique, I usually hold onto the left wrist forearm with my right hand and guide the left wrist (which in turn moves the left elbow) in somewhat of a ruddering motion* (corrected my phraseology ) and manipulate my forearm up the clients body all the way, again, to the right upper trap, but this time finishing off with more of a sweeping motion than a deep trap move.

I have noticed that I can also get in quite deep at the upper edge of the scapula and "sit on" the area right next to the bone where the muscle attaches, with my elbow/forearm (making less of a pointed input) and gently to deeply work those attachments for a nice 30 seconds or so and get good results - working as needed.

For the QL, I like to utilize forearm/elbow work along the posterior iliac crest. (You don't have to get in so deep to get nice results.)

For the gluteal regions, I like to work my forearms/elbow (right side of client / right or left forearm/elbow of therapist) along the sacral base and into the gluts and attachments near the base of the "butt" with that "ruddering" motion I mentioned earlier (opposite hand guiding the working extremity).

I also noticed that I tend to move either quicker or slower depending on the need of the musculature, so don't be afraid to do what you feel is right. And I have a tendency to lean into the table when working toward the face cradle (right side of client being worked with left forearm/elbow - means I'd lean into the table with my left hip on more than one a\occasion).

I also have a tendency to utilize my body weight more when facing mid-line to posterior (workign right side of client with right elbow).

Hope some of this helps, and if you need more ideas after getting some of these down let me know.

If you have any questions about my explanations, let me know too.

 

[Latching On]

The worst for me was smokers morning breath with coffee. I had to leave the room for that one.

there is always a way to avoid the client's breath. it started with not wanting to breathe on them when sitting at the head or when standing to to arms/hands. then i started to notice foul breath, underarm and nether region odors...
i inhale facing away, turn my head.

it's not-so-posturally correct. but you never know when someone has a cold or flu coming on, with no obvious symptoms.

"nahh, i don't want to share that with you, thanks"