No hand techniques - working while injured.

[Pompal 09.]

I have a possible crush fracture to my right thumb. I say possible because the Dr. and I agreed on no xrays since I am pregnant.

I have been given orders for no work this week. Not sure about next week. It is still very swollen (dispite the attempt to punture the nail to release pressure) and sore to the touch. I have been icing and elevating continiously since it happened. I am also wearing a brace and trying not to use my fingers to compensate. Tynenol is the only med. I can take and I can't use arnica.

I have cancelled my chair massage job for Monday morning, but have a decent schedule of table work for the week. I have another chair job at the end of the week that I will cancel if my thumb isn't great by then. Just too hard to do chair work without thumbs.

I am familiar and comfortable with knuckle, forearm, and elbow work. I would love any suggestions for techiques to adapt to the limited use of my right hand for table work. Especially for the neck and shoulders.

 

[Pompal 09.]

I find seated at the head of the table perfect for working the neck and shoulders with forearms, knuckes,elbows and the heel of the hand.
You also have the ability to work two handed in this position on either side and could combine these tools with the full use of your good hand.
Good luck, an injured hand sucks when you are massaging.

 

[haunted_horse]

I remember seeing a "thumb saver" or something called something like that in Massage Magazine, it just looked like a hard plastic sleeve you put over the thumb, probably too sore to work with at the moment, but it might be worth considering it for the weeks to come - broken bones can be uncomfortable for quite a long time afterwards.

Even if you use elbows forearms etc, it would probably be a good idea to keep the thumb covered, with a thumb saver/bandage for a few weeks to stop you doing anything with it too soon.

Other things to consider TOOLS! stones, Wullstone, massage wands, I keep seeing this and thinking it looks good http://www.kellykinetics.com/massagetools/cyro/cyro.html the 2 heads come off and can be chilled or heated. Use heat packs to soften stuff up before you work on it.

I'd say avoid putting pressure on the thumb for longer than the doctor says - a massage therapist can put a lot more strain on a thumb (though we shouldn't ) than the average member of the public, and a doctor's all clear will usually be thinking in terms of "general public" I hope it heals quickly

 

[U.F.R.]

Thank you both.

I am going to try working a bit on my husband Sunday and see what I can do. Some techniques are a little more difficult to do with elbows and forearms with the baby belly sticking out. I have a hard brace that I have been wearing to keep from banging into things. I will try working with that on too.

I will look and see what tools I have. I know I have a knobble, but I am not sure I can grip it with the right hand without hurting my thumb.
The tool you posted the link to (melb) looks very interesting. I can see why you keep coming back to it.

I have hot stones, but have stopped using them since getting pregnant. For limited use I could probably use them. I love using heat packs before hand, so I will definetly do that.

Yes, my thumb is too sore for a thumb saver, but it may come in handy in the future. I really hope this injury doesn't have any lasting effects.
I am going to baby it as much as I can for as long as it takes. I agree, I don't think the dr. realizes the type of pressure that an MT places on their thumbs. Good thing we know a thing or two about injuries!

Any additional suggestions are welcome.

 

[A.Herd]

You made me think of the no hands massage technique that Gerry Pyves uses. A friend of mine in school bought the book. Intriguing to say the least. You couldn't do most of the moves being pregnant but could maybe adapt some of the moves till your thumb is better. Wished I had that book with me to be able to help ya out. So sorry about your thumb. Hope it gets better for you soon. There is also a no hands technique for chair massage but couldn't tell you if it's by the same guy or someone else. Here is the only link I have in case anyone would like to check it out. He came up with this because I think his wrists or hands went bad on him and he didn't want to give up doing massage. Not sure though. Not sure of much am I? :?


http://www.positivehealth.com/permit/Articles/Massage/pyves58.htm

 

[Positive Rodent]

Thanks for the info and link. The pictures really show that there are so many different ways to work! I will have to try what comes natural and see what happens. Very interesting stuff - they should teach more of those type techniques in school, just so you know them for an injury like this.

I'll make sure to share what I come up with.

 

[stanford.designer]

I have the thumbsaver, and it saved my life right out of school, where they didn't teach us correct body techiniques. I was using my thumbs way too much and using them to get deep pressure. Needless to say, after 2-3 massages my thumbs were killing me. I got the thumbsaver, and used it while I taught myself better egonomics. Anyway, I still use it when I do chair massage, as I still have problems with my thumbs after a few hours, or some really tight people. Mastera, in this situation the thumbsaver would NOT help. It fits snuggly on your thumb (so if its swollen, it won't fit) and you still feel pressure on your thumb as you work. If you can use your other 4 fingers, other hand, and forearms/elbows, I would think you should be ok with the table work. Your situation definately makes me think hard about disability insurance. I just got a packet from the AMTA that I am going to look really closely at! Anyone have or have used disability insurance and have any comments?

 

[Premier Lady]

Every time I have looked into Disability insurance they require that you are out of work for a min. of 3 months (some a min. of 6 months). I hope that never happens to any of us. But, since I won't be out that long (granted it will take a bit to be using my thumb again), even if I had it, it wouldn't be doing me any good. At least not the type/s that I have found.

If anyone has found good disability insurance that doesn't require a lengthy disability and is reasonable - please let us all know! I know I can't find any.

If my thumb is not the same after all this, the thumbsaver might be very helpful too me. But, for now I will stay optimistic. Sorry your school was so poor at teaching good body mechanics.

Pat the belly for me Karen!

 

[KU_doc]

Just an update:

Had two clients this evening (1 hour and 1.5 hour). Both were still satisfied with the massage and felt that the work was as good as usual.

I used hot stones and cold stones (thanks for the tip cyber twin).
I also used my elbows and forearms more. I did bump into the client more with my preggo belly, but I apologized in advance and they were both ok with it. I tried my best not to.
I also didn't feel hot while working with the stones, but I had the AC on with a fan, so that helped.

My thumb was a little stiff afterwards, but no pain.
I did have to catch myself a few times when my bad thumb tried to get working.

All in all it worked out well. Guess I will have to wait out the next few weeks and see how much better my thumb gets.
My neck work is suffering (thumbs!) as well as working on the clients left arm (I use my right hand for most of the work)

 

[technicolourlassie]

No Hands Massage

I found Gerry Pyves's website - http://www.nohandsmassage.com/

I woke this morning with a sore thumb & looked at the link originally posted before work & tried to modify my deep tissue. I think it went well, but am going to get some other therapist friends together to invent some of our own Hands &/or Thumbs Free massage.

 

[Kaye B]

Thanks for the link ladybug1.

Coming up with new techniques is always fun, expecially when you can brainstorm with other therapists.

My thumb is doing much better. I can use the pad, but still not the tip. I have to wait to see what the nail is going to do.

I hope your thumb issue isn't long term.

 

[Scotty J]

No hands massage book

Hey everyone,

I just went on the no hands website and was wondering if anyone has purchased the series of books they are selling on that site. I'm interested to know if they are worth taking a look at and if they would be easy enought to put into practice by just reading a book. I'm a new therapist and do a lot of hand crafts on the side (jewelry making, card making, etc) so I use my hands a lot and if I can incorporate the no hands technique into my practice I think it would definitely benefit me. However, with these techniques is it still possible to get into specific spots?

Aamna

 

[skoolgirlqt03]

Not sure about the books, I emailed Gerry as he only teaches this modality in the UK. I asked when he'll be coming to the states & he doesn't know yet. He said there is a huge demand for instruction of No Hands massage over there.

He mentioned to buy the books to get started, so I'm considering it while I figure out my own modifications.

 

[stillpeachy]

Wow, thank god I never use my thumbs. I don't know why but instinctively I just don't. Only when a professor would tell me to try a technique, maybe I'd do it but I don't give enough pressure so I automatically just use my elbows, knuckles, fingerpads(never fingertips cuz it doesn't feel as good) and my forearms I use in tandem.

For example if I'm doing the leg I'll do a technique similiar to Lomi Lomi or Phenomenal Touch, where I place one arm underneath and one on top of a leg in kind of a hug and come down on the leg as in centrifugal friction. This not only gives my hands a break and gives me a nice back stretch when I pull but the client feels loved and as if you're getting all areas of her leg at once. Also the nook of your elbow with your forearm flexed is a good place to place clients arm which is also sandwiched between your other forearm on top and just pull down to the hands, it gives a nice stretch and her arm feels cradled which gives a sense of security.

Use other parts of your body and just be creative, sometimes we're so stuck on technique we forget how they evolved in the first place so don't be afraid to try something different and don't feel that it's not therapeutic or relaxing, touch is touch anyway you do it as long as it's with love and good intention. Also if you want to go so far as to try different things, do some spa treatments or aromatherapy. I guarantee your clients won't complain. Also if you're hesitant to work hot stones with your hands, try heating up two water bottles and rolling them over the limbs and back, it uses less of your hands and transfers heat well enough you don't have to use too much pressure. I hope this helps.

 

[Sherozzel]

I did by the NO HANDS book. It is great!! I emailed them to asking when they would be coming to the US. Perhaps a trip to the UK is in order?? What a trip!! And it would be a great way to get a vacation that was at least partially a tax deduction.

Then I would be the one with the funny accent!!

Christine