{"id":16359,"date":"2018-12-11T09:59:10","date_gmt":"2018-12-10T22:59:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/getblys.com\/uk\/?p=16359"},"modified":"2024-09-05T22:01:30","modified_gmt":"2024-09-05T12:01:30","slug":"body-mechanics-for-massage-therapists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/getblys.com\/uk\/blog\/body-mechanics-for-massage-therapists\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ins &#038; Outs of Body Mechanics For Massage Therapists"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<center><div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/uk\/apply\/?utm_source=website&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=the_ins_and_outs_of_body_mechanics_for_massage_therapists\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><b>Apply as a Therapist Now<\/b><\/a><\/div><\/center>\r\n\r\n\r\n[vc_row type=&#8221;in_container&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243; shape_divider_position=&#8221;bottom&#8221;][vc_column column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; column_link_target=&#8221;_self&#8221; column_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_radius=&#8221;none&#8221; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=&#8221;default&#8221; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; column_border_width=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221;][vc_column_text]<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As massage therapists, we all know the importance of proper body mechanics. Not only can you help prevent injury or fatigue for yourself, but correct application will help to increase the quality of massage that you provide to your clients. &nbsp;<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When optimal body mechanics is practiced, you are able to pick up on the tension in your client\u2019s body rather than your own. Proper body mechanics allows you to focus completely on your client&#8217;s comfort without sacrificing your own.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are a few tips from one of our top therapists on how to use proper body mechanics:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"cursor:pointer\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #100249;color:#100249\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #100249;color:#100249\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/uk\/blog\/body-mechanics-for-massage-therapists\/#How_to_Transfer_Force_from_the_Ground_Up_Through_a_Connected_Body\" >How to Transfer Force from the Ground Up Through a Connected Body<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/uk\/blog\/body-mechanics-for-massage-therapists\/#In_a_nutshell\" >In a nutshell: &nbsp;<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Transfer_Force_from_the_Ground_Up_Through_a_Connected_Body\"><\/span>How to Transfer Force from the Ground Up Through a Connected Body<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p style=\"padding-left: 60px;\"><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By Melanie Lindenthal<\/span><\/em><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Stability:&nbsp;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your centre of gravity is just below your bellybutton, at the centre of your abdomen. This needs to be within your base of support, usually your feet contacting the floor, but also including any other parts of your body on contact with a solid surface like leaning your hip against the massage table. The longer side of the base of support provides more stability than the shorter side. To exert force, align your stance parallel to the vector of the force. For example: to compress tissue in front of you, stand in lunge position with front foot close to the targeted area and the back foot further away \u2013 not horse stance (unless you want to work in frontal plane).<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-16682\" src=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/D46A4115-1.jpg\" alt=\"body mechanics\" width=\"1379\" height=\"920\" srcset=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/D46A4115-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/getblys.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/D46A4115-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/getblys.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/D46A4115-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/getblys.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/D46A4115-1-900x600.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1379px) 100vw, 1379px\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Use your core muscles<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including gently engaging your pelvic floor.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Reduce the leaking of force<\/b> by remembering<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;shoulders down, elbows down, heels down. Stabilize your shoulders\/scapulas and connect them to your ribcage, spine, and pelvis. Keep your head in line with your spine. &nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Stacking your joints<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Make sure your thumb\/finger joints, wrist and elbow are in line (either straight or gentle even curve) and avoid excessive flexion or hyper-extension in any single one of the joints. If any of your joints are already achy, check if there is any part of your routines that overly stresses that joint and find ways to reduce the strain (change angles, change tool, brace etc). For example, when palming down a client\u2019s back in chair massage, switch to using soft fists (wrists straight-ish) when you feel your wrists getting too strained by the extension of using your palms.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Brace to support vulnerable joints<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Bracing the relaxed thumb of one hand with the other&#8217;s \u2018heel palm\u2019, combine the sensitivity of your thumb with the force generated by your other arm, brace one thumb with the other fingers of one hand, one finger with a neighbouring finger, etc.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><b><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-16684\" src=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/D46A4240smaller-1024x683-1.jpeg\" alt=\"body mechanics\" width=\"1379\" height=\"920\" srcset=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/D46A4240smaller-1024x683-1.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/getblys.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/D46A4240smaller-1024x683-1-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/getblys.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/D46A4240smaller-1024x683-1-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/getblys.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/D46A4240smaller-1024x683-1-900x600.jpeg 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1379px) 100vw, 1379px\" \/><\/b><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Increase use of forearms and elbows <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to give your hands a break.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Explore different qualities of touch and pressure:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> ulna (bony, sharp; hand turned with thumb pointing up) versus flexor side of the forearm (broader and softer surface, palm facing down); flat of the elbow versus. point of the elbow. Play with transitions between and combinations of them: rolling\/turning\/torqueing, ratcheting, hook in and drag, etc. As always, it is important to avoid using bone on bone.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Reduce your workload&nbsp;<\/b>by m<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">aking use of stretching techniques. These can do some of to the work for you. Or, try bolstering both of the client\u2019s shoulders while they\u2019re in prone (eg. with rolled towels under both shoulders), which is a slow, gentle stretch for the anterior chest\/pecs, and softens tight rhomboids so they are easier to work on.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Check and adjust table height<\/b>, especially<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;when not working with your own equipment, and depending on the size of client. &nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Check your distance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, especially. with chair\/roving massage \u2013 be close enough (same principle as not lifting something heavy far away from your body).<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><b><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-16685\" src=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/D46A4615.jpg\" alt=\"body mechanics\" width=\"1379\" height=\"920\" srcset=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/D46A4615.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/getblys.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/D46A4615-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/getblys.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/D46A4615-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/getblys.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/D46A4615-900x600.jpg 900w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1379px) 100vw, 1379px\" \/><\/b><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Don\u2019t use more pressure than actually necessary.&nbsp;<\/b>F<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">or example, just \u201cischemic pressure\u201d for trigger points. Too much pressure (causing pain) can lead to the muscles tensing up as they brace themselves against the perceived threat. &#8220;No pain, no gain&#8221; does not apply as it is counterproductive. In the end, a relaxed nervous system will relax the muscles, too.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Use large muscles and joints to save the small joints and muscles<\/strong> of your hands. Move your body, not just your thumbs\/fingers\/hands. &nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"In_a_nutshell\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In a nutshell: &nbsp;<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you practice good body mechanics, you align your body in a posture that places the least amount of stress on your musculoskeletal system. This way, you can use the strength and momentum of your entire body to create movement, rather than using the smaller, more fragile parts of your body that are more easily injured. When your body moves as a unified whole, your movements can be more flowing, relaxed, even and controlled.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>Body mechanics are important to be aware of during all styles of massage. This includes table massage, <a href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/uk\/our-massages\/corporate-massage\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">chair massage<\/a>, and when using other massage equipment. Use your tools to your advantage to maximise your endurance during a massage.<\/p>\r\n<p>Sometimes what a massage therapist&nbsp;needs is a massage of their own. Head to <a href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/uk\/our-massages\/remedial\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">remedial massage Sydney<\/a> and get blyssed today. Check out what other <a href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/uk\/locations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">locations we serve<\/a> and help spread the good vibes to Australians everywhere.<\/p>\r\n<p><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<center><div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/uk\/apply\/?utm_source=website&amp;utm_medium=blog&amp;utm_campaign=the_ins_and_outs_of_body_mechanics_for_massage_therapists\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><b>Apply as a Therapist Now<\/b><\/a><\/div><\/center>\r\n\r\n\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Apply as a Therapist Now [vc_row type=&#8221;in_container&#8221; full_screen_row_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; scene_position=&#8221;center&#8221; text_color=&#8221;dark&#8221; text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; overlay_strength=&#8221;0.3&#8243; shape_divider_position=&#8221;bottom&#8221;][vc_column column_padding=&#8221;no-extra-padding&#8221; column_padding_position=&#8221;all&#8221; background_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; background_hover_color_opacity=&#8221;1&#8243; column_link_target=&#8221;_self&#8221; column_shadow=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_radius=&#8221;none&#8221; width=&#8221;1\/1&#8243; tablet_width_inherit=&#8221;default&#8221; tablet_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; phone_text_alignment=&#8221;default&#8221; column_border_width=&#8221;none&#8221; column_border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221;][vc_column_text]As massage therapists, we all&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1403,"featured_media":16682,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[71,205,445],"tags":[340],"reviewer":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-16359","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-business-advice","8":"category-guides","9":"category-self-care-101","10":"tag-body-mechanics"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>The Ins &amp; Outs of Body Mechanics For Massage Therapists | Blys<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Proper body mechanics allows you to focus completely on your client&#039;s comfort without sacrificing your own. It&#039;s an essential part of massage therapy.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/uk\/blog\/body-mechanics-for-massage-therapists\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"The Ins &amp; Outs of Body Mechanics For Massage Therapists | Blys\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"Proper body mechanics allows you to focus completely on your client&#039;s comfort without sacrificing your own. It&#039;s an essential part of massage therapy.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:image\" content=\"https:\/\/getblys.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/D46A4115-1.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@getblys\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@getblys\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Savanna Rose\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"The Ins & Outs of Body Mechanics For Massage Therapists | Blys","description":"Proper body mechanics allows you to focus completely on your client's comfort without sacrificing your own. 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It's an essential part of massage therapy.","twitter_image":"https:\/\/getblys.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/D46A4115-1.jpg","twitter_creator":"@getblys","twitter_site":"@getblys","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Savanna Rose","Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/getblys.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16359","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/getblys.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/getblys.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getblys.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1403"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getblys.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16359"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/getblys.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16359\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":53468,"href":"https:\/\/getblys.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16359\/revisions\/53468"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getblys.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16682"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/getblys.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16359"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getblys.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16359"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getblys.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16359"},{"taxonomy":"reviewer","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/getblys.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/reviewer?post=16359"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}