Body mechanics... how to improve?

[Joel]

Hi folks,

So after receiving a lecture from my acupuncturist today, I'm taking some action by asking for your help.

I've been getting some intermittent pain off and on in my left arm/upper body... lately the forearm near the elbow and along the extensors, but sometimes in the thenar area of my hand, the triceps, teres, etc.

When I was getting chiropractic regularly, that would help, and I'm feeling like my alignment is off lately (my body's been funky since receiving some orthobionomy in December).

Any thoughts on the relationship between spinal alignment and body mechanics while giving massage?

And if someone could stand to learn more about body mechanics, exactly what could that person DO? I haven't seen continuing ed classes for it. Jason posted about this book once: Dynamic Bodyuse for Effective, Strain-Free Massage but no one had much experience with it.

I like the idea that giving massage can be strain and pain free... how many of you can say that's your reality? And how can the rest of us get there?

 

[heather06]

hey ego - interesting you post this now, i was getting ready to post something similar so i'll jump on this thread!

because i believe that anything can be, i do believe that massage can be strain and pain free. and i have decided to accept the challenge.

stacey recommended bodymind (can't remember author's name but the book has changed my thought process to be more aware of my own body), i think you'd benefit from reading this book.

for me, it's not only bad body mechanics but also that drive that so many of us have to take care of as many people as we can to get them all feeling better. note to self: get more bodywork.

i have the same pain this morning that you are describing. the exact pain. and although getting the neckwrap out of the freezer helps, it's still there. i also notice that, if it's possible, i tend to hold my body up with my neck. i swear i haven't felt my legs in months, my strength is all in my neck. so i'm working through some throat issues and trying to relax that barrier.

i wish i had an easy answer. i know that for me, a book on body mechanics might not change my life that much because i need to experience to learn. or i learn better that way, anyway. a class environment would work better for me. do you know who this person is in san francisco (isn't that where you are?)? would this coaching/class work for you? www dot backtolife dot net slash treatmenttechinques dot h t m l (see body mechanincs training).

good luck!

 

[President Pelosi]

probably the best thing you could do is have someone watch you do massage (or video tape yourself) so if your body mechanics go off, you can see just where it happens.

 

[SLipknOT FTW]

Body mechanics... how to improve?

I like the idea that giving massage can be strain and pain free... how many of you can say that's your reality? And how can the rest of us get there?

I'm happy to say this is my reality, but I also think success in this area is about more than just body mechanics:

1. First, I know my limits, in terms of how many massages I can do in a day, and I don't push past them. Not even occasionally.
2. I have regular days off, very necessary for my body to relax & rejuvenate. For me, it's also important for my days off to be in a row. That cumulative effect works wonders for me.
3. I'm careful what I do on my days off & try not to overdo. When I have strained my body, it wasn't from massage, but rather from painting my house on the weekends. Turns out my body mechanics for painting were awful, I used lots of repetitive motion, I worked long days, plus I wasn't giving my hands/arms/body a chance to rest.
4. I get enough sleep & try to eat semi-healthy & walk every day.
5. I change the table height based on client size & modality chosen. I don't have a hydraulic table, so I can't adjust during a session. But I find that making just one-level of adjustment before the session really makes a difference.
6.. I mix it up, in terms of the massage techniques I use. That way, I'm using my body in a variety of ways, instead of the same way over & over. I also avoid any technique that leaves me feeling strained & drained. There are so many techniques & modalities out there. Choose the ones that are the best fit for your body & your personality, and let the other ones go.

Lastly, if your body feels off since you had an Orthobionomy session in December, I would either go to an Orthobionomy specialist you trust, to correct the imbalance. Or seek out a chiropractor to pop you back into place. Misalignment can definitely throw off your form for everything in life, including massage.

 

[[email protected]]

If books work for you, check out this one:
Body Mechanics for the Manual Therpist

If books don't work for you, I like softhearted515's suggestion. It would be good to find someone who knows about good body mechanics and pay him/her for an hour or two of time to watch you make suggestions. Or trade for his/her time. It is worth its price if it prevents injury down the road!

Also, if you are feeling off from a previous session ... get more sessions! Whatever works for you: more orthobionomy, massage, chiropractic, or CranioSacral Therapy (did you really expect me to not say it )

Whatever you decide, know that giving massage can, and should be, pain and strain free for the therapist.

Brian

 

[Anonsi]

Ego, I just watched the "Forearm Dance" DVD & she does an excellent job coaching on body mechanics throughout her program. She demonstrates the difference between having the motion start from your feet & flow through your body, as opposed to bending over & pushing with your shoulders & hands. I'd recommend it:

http://www.atpeacemedia.com/pages/BODYWORKForearmDance.html

 

[mrggame]

If there's any way you can put a large mirror up in the space where you work, that can do wonders to give you awareness about how you're working. I can't tell you how often I glance up and catch myself all wound up in a ball while working on some TPs in someones traps.

Mirrors are expensive but you could find one in thrift store or something?

I also find that doing couples massage in the same room is good for me. Because there is another therapist there and I look at them from time to time, usually having bad body mechanics, and that makes me more aware of myself.

I also enjoyed Forearm Dance and found lots of useful stuff there that I incorporate into my sessions to save my hands, arms, and shoulders.

 

[txluciouslips]

Ego, I just watched the "Forearm Dance" DVD & she does an excellent job coaching on body mechanics throughout her program. She demonstrates the difference between having the motion start from your feet & flow through your body, as opposed to bending over & pushing with your shoulders & hands. I'd recommend it:

http://www.atpeacemedia.com/pages/BODYWORKForearmDance.html

I ditto that! I just got the Forearm Dance a few weeks ago and have been watching it to help my own bodymechanics & to lessen the use of my hands. I love it! It's a work in progress for me, but I am seeing and feeling improvement as I put into practice the techniques from the video.

 

[Spice Man]

I second the mirror suggestion! I had mirrors in my former space and I was shocked to see my shoulders up in my ears! I was able to really consciously work on that. The other thing I find is that if I am clenching my teeth or holding my breath, my mechanics are crap. Just doing some slow deep breathing helps me come back into my body while I'm working and gets me more aware.

 

[elijah F]

Ego, so sorry to hear about your massage-related pain. It probably didn't occur overnight, so it might not be a quick fix for you. Just don't lose hope! I was pretty wracked up with my left side (starting with scalenes and working downward). Since this happened, I've received some very good massage work, accupunture, reiki, choripractic adjustments, and a CST session. All of them were very effective on different levels. I believe the CST session was the turning point in my therapy. So, my first suggestion would be to receive more and regular work. If, at all possible, ascertain which therapies work best for your body. (It may change at times, too.)

This is kinda long. Some may be repeats from above. But I'm just typing as I'm thinking. Sorry.

As for body mechanics
If you're working from a pushing into the body/table, lower your table so that you're addressing the body on a slant. Step away from the table (sounds like a cop show). Lowering the table is the first step in taking your shoulders out of the equation. Stepping back and working from your feet/ankles allows you to employ your weight and not your strength to be the force.

Stack your joints so that they're in alignment in a straightish line so that you're not compromising your joints. This stacking is easier at a lower table height and a distance from the table.

Work smarter, not harder. Use the correct tool for the job, be it a (thumb - very, very limited use, and then mostly braced), braced fingers, open hand, knuckles, open fist, forearm, elbow. Use the correct technique for the job at hand (no pun intended) and vary your techniques during the session.

Monitor yourself through the session so ensure that you're following good body mechanics.

Breathe!

Initiate and maintain a solid routine of self-care pre- and post-massage. Stretching, heat/cold therepy for the hands and forearms.

And, unfortunately, if you've developed a certain technique or protocol but it's becoming an issue for your body, stop it and adapt it so that it's no longer a problem for you. Over a year or so, I developed a really nice sequence in working with the neck/head/shoulders that was really effective with many clients. But when I whacked my shoulder/neck from over work and under self-care, I had to stop it. Now, I've gone back to addressing the neck complex in a chair and fine tune supine. (Oh, well.)

Other Areas
Drink more water.

Have a sound diet.

Have down time and stick to it. Don't be like our clients and live a life at full blast without breaks. You know the logic behind down time. It really is important.

Know your limitations in booking. We'd all like to see and help as many people as possible. But if you're not taking care of yourself, you won't be any good for anyone else.

Get more bodywork. Get more bodywork. Get more bodywork. (I like threes.)

Hope some of this helps. And, again. Sorry about this being so long.

 

[M.Shadows fan]

If there's any way you can put a large mirror up in the space where you work, that can do wonders to give you awareness about how you're working. I can't tell you how often I glance up and catch myself all wound up in a ball while working on some TPs in someones traps.

Mirrors are expensive but you could find one in thrift store or something?

I also find that doing couples massage in the same room is good for me. Because there is another therapist there and I look at them from time to time, usually having bad body mechanics, and that makes me more aware of myself.

I also enjoyed Forearm Dance and found lots of useful stuff there that I incorporate into my sessions to save my hands, arms, and shoulders.

I agree with the mirror suggestion. I have a huge round mirror right in front of the table. I also wanted to ask... how many of you use massage tools other than your hands? I have been thinking of incorporating some of these, but wasn't sure if I should, in order to save my hands and arms.

 

[Leslie K]

I also wanted to ask... how many of you use massage tools other than your hands? I have been thinking of incorporating some of these, but wasn't sure if I should, in order to save my hands and arms.

Here's a thread with reviews & opinions of various massage tools:
http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=83

 

[Simi]

try to check your balance mentally with each movement/position. if you dont feel balanced/aligned, adjust yourself til you do. taping yourself and watching it a couple of times is great if you can.

 

[florence]

I have a friend who SWEAR by Tai Chi - she says taking Tai chi classes has been one of the best things for her massage sessions becuase she often is able to use those postures as a body stance that will support her weight and body in a stable manner.

Angela