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The application of massage therapy has certain postural and physical demands and the use of proper body mechanics will allow the therapist’s body to be used in a careful, efficient and meticulous way. This involves good posture, balance, leverage, and using the right muscles at the right time when performing the massage. The correct use and positioning of the therapist’s body during the massage will prevent fatigue, muscle strains and injuries such as overuse syndromes. Overuse syndromes are a large group of conditions characterized by irritation resulting from the use of a body part in a repetitive way. This may cause injury by the amount it is done. Efficient use of the body will also help prevent burnout.

Every massage therapist will come to the realization that using proper body mechanics is crucial if they want to stay healthy and capable of performing massage after massage, day after day. The economic viability of the therapist is dependent on being able to work and create income on a regular basis. Bottom line is that as a massage therapist, your body is your tool and should be taken care of with up-most care.  By using it properly and taking care of it, it will help you stay healthy, able to perform well and have a career for years to come. There are four basic concepts that pertain to body mechanics that have to do with applying compressive force against the body during a massage session and they are weight transfer, perpendicularity, stacking the joints and keeping the back straight.

Using weight transfer allows the therapist to transfer body weight by shifting his center of gravity forward to achieve a pressure that is comfortable to the client. The transfer happens by reducing the weight off of the front leg to whatever part of your body that you are using to perform the massage such as the heel of the hand, the thumbs, or the elbows. Perpendicularity is a concept that is important because it ensures that the pressure that is being applied is sinking directly into the tissues. There should be a 90 degree angle between the line that extends from the shoulder to the point of contact (e.g. fist or forearm) and the plane of the contact point on the client’s body.

Stacking the joints one on top of the other allows the pressure to go straight into the client’s body effortlessly. It is also essential to the concepts of weight transfer and perpendicularity. A straight back is the other essential concept of using proper body mechanics. If their back is not straight, they may end pushing with the upper body and “muscling” it instead of using the more effortless transferred weight from the legs. Their weight should carried on the back leg and on the heel of the foot. This will also prevent early fatigue.

If a therapist is working and feels pain, they are doing something wrong.  Improper body mechanics may be part of the problem which may lead to a preventable injury that will have a negative impact on their health and income. Having a week core may also be a cause of the problem. The core can be strengthened by doing exercises that target the muscles of the core which are made up of the rectus abdominis, the external and internal obliques, the tranversus abdominis, the erector or extensor spinae muscles as well as the muscles of the pelvic floor. The difference is that making your core and body stronger may take time to see an improvement but changing and improving your body mechanics will have instant relief if that was the cause of your pain.

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Craniosacral therapy is a light-touch, non-invasive bodywork modality that is a gentle, hands-on approach of evaluating and enhancing the function of the craniosacral system.  The craniosacral system is a physiological system that provides the physical environment that is needed for the brain and spinal cord to develop and work efficiently as well as effectively. It plays a vital role of maintaining a functional  environment of the central nervous system. This system is made up of the cranium, brain, spine, and sacrum as well as the meninges (membrane) and cerebrospinal fluid which surrounds and protects the spinal cord and brain.  It extends from the cranium to the base of the sacrum. This system is thought to have a rhythm throughout the body that can be felt and measured by the hands of the therapist. Good health is also thought to be determined by a balance and flow of this rhythm.

Craniosacral therapy’s foundation is based on the understanding that form and function are inseparable and to correct the imbalances or problems at their source.  This type of bodywork uses a very light touch that allows the practitioner to tune into the craniosacral system by monitoring the rhythm and pinpointing sources of obstruction. The rhythm comes from the fluid within the membranes continuously draining and refilling itself. This creates a gentle, expanding, and contracting movement that can be felt anywhere in the body by a practitioner trained to know how to find it. By listening to the subtle rhythms and pulsations, the practitioner can hear the body’s patterns of stress and resistance. Craniosacral therapy is not only used by massage therapists but also by osteopaths, chiropractors, naturopaths, and occupational therapists.

The patient will typically rest himself fully-clothed on a massage table or a mat on the floor. Then the practitioner applies a gentle touch, about five grams of pressure, to feel for and check the craniosacral system and its rhythm. What the practitioner is trying to accomplish is to release restrictions, which the body has been unable to do on its own and to help restore and assist the body’s normal self correcting mechanisms. They will work with the spine, the skull, and the fascia to release restrictions of nerve passages, to optimize the movement of cerebrospinal fluid through the spinal cord, and to realign bones back to their proper position.

The human body has the inherent ability to heal itself where possible and by using these gentle manipulative techniques, it encourages the body to restore its ability to do just that. The body uses a good amount of energy to adapt to its restrictions or blockages so the patient will usually feel a deep relaxation when they are released. Many conditions and disorders are alleviated with this therapy such as migraine headaches, motor-coordination impairments, chronic neck and back pain, stress and tension related problems, fibromyalgia, and scoliosis to name a few. As you can see craniosacral therapy or CST has a wide range of ailments that it can help. It is also used as a preventative measure to help build resistance to disease and to maintain good health.

1.  Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy Association of North America
2.  Craniosacral Therapy – Joseph Lee
3.  Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy
4.  Massage Today
5.  Craniosacral Therapy – American Cancer Society

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Aromatherapy massage is known to alleviate stress and stress-related conditions such as insomnia but also digestive problems, headache, back pain, and even premenstrual syndrome in woman. This is a type of massage therapy which uses essential oils added to the massage oil being used or directly to the skin mixed with a carrier oil. The essential oils used contain substances that have been found to be beneficial as well as therapeutic when inhaled or absorbed by the body through the skin.

It is believed that the sense of smell affects the ability the body has to heal itself The nostrils are connected to a section of the brain called the limbic sytem. When a person inhales essential oils, they enter the body through the nostrils and messages are transmitted to the limbic system which influences things such as heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, digestion, the immune system, memory, and most importantly, in my opinion, stress level.

When applying these oils to the skin they should always be diluted by a carrier oil. This prevents a possible burning sensation and/or irritation because they are very concentrated and potent at full strength. The carrier oil also aids in the absorption of the essential oil through the skin. Unlike essential oils, carrier oils do not evaporate or give off such a strong aroma as essential oils do. The carrier oils should be light and non-sticky for the penetration to take place effectively. The carrier oil can make a great deal of difference in how well the blend with the essential oil will work.

Each essential oil used in aromatherapy offers different properties for healing and the one used depends on the goal of the treatment being performed. Besides helping with absorption they also provide the necessary lubrication to allow the hands to move more smoothly over the skin.The various oils contain ingredients for nourishing the skin and promoting health. In addition to the essential oil properties, certain carrier oils also have healing properties of their own while others may end up causing a problem. This is why using the right carrier oil is crucial.

Carrier oils should be natural and preferably cold-pressed as this will prevent the oil from being damaged by heat or chemicals. Some therapists use vegetable oil or olive oil as the carrier oil while others may use borage oil or even vitamin E oil. Most likely though it will be an oil such as sweet almond, arnica, sunflower, avocado, coconut, carrot oil, jojoba, or sunflower to name a few. A good ratio for dilution would be 10 drops of essential oil for every 2 tablespoons of the carrier oil used.  It is always a good idea to test the blend when using new oils or recipes and to increase the dilution when making blends for children or pregnant woman.

These oils should be stored in a cool, dark place to prevent spoilage and ensure their effectiveness. They usually have a shorter shelf life than essential oils so it is recommended that a natural preservative be used such as vitamin E. Over time, carrier oils go rancid but the essential oils do not. What the essential oils do is oxidize and loose their therapeutic qualities.

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Rolfing Structural Integration is a type of deep myofascial release incorporating movement and posture education and was founded by Ida Rolf in the 1950’s. Dr. Rolf was a scientist specializing in biochemistry who came to the conclusion that the body is a continuous network of tissues rather than a collection of separate parts. She recognized that fascia, a connective tissue, is spread throughout the entire body. This tissue surrounds, supports, and penetrates all of the bones, nerves, muscles, and organs in the human body. Rolfing is a registered trademark of the Rolf Institute of Structural Integration.

With continual poor posture, emotional and mental stress certain connective tissues in the body stiffen, shorten and lose their elasticity. Rolfing, which is basically a soft tissue manipulation, works on the fascia to release, realign and to bring balance to the body’s structure so that it is integrated and aligned with gravity. Rolfers use their fingers, elbows and knuckles to open and stretch the fascia to correct misalignment of different parts of the body such as the shoulders and pelvis. This in itself is thought to help bring balance to the nervous system, assists in opening up the breathing, and improves digestion.

Rolfing has the ability to significantly reduce chronic stress and bring change to the recipient’s posture and structure.  Its goal is to restore vitality to the person with more energy, bring flexibility, and to allow the person to have more comfort in their body. Studies have demonstrated that Rolfing creates a more effective use of the muscles, allow the body to conserve that restored energy, and bring about smoother patterns of movement. A study performed  at the University of Maryland showed that Rolfing noticeably reduced the curvature of the vertabral column of subjects with lordosis or swayback. The same study came to the conclusion that it also enhances neurological functioning.

Rolfing is usually performed by a certified practitioner in a series of 10 one-hour sessions until complete integration of the body is achieved.  The practitioner usually begins by evaluating the person’s posture and taking photographs to be able to compare the before and after changes. Each session focuses on different areas of the body with a specific goal. The sessions are cumulative meaning that each one builds on the results on the last session performed.

The muscles, tendons, and fascia are remolded into a looser straighter more aligned shape. This slow restructuring of the body is a procedure performed with firm manipulation of the soft tissue. As the body is remolded, so are its movement patterns as well as bringing more efficient habits that enhance the structural changes. This prevents the likelihood of the return of old tension or for re-injury.

1.  Rolf Institute of Structural Integration
2.  Guide for Structural Integration
3.  encyclopedia.com
4.  Rolfing – Answers.com
5.  Structural Integration Rolf Therapy

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Stretching and massage therapy go hand in hand when it comes to better flexibility and overall health. Stretching as well as other forms of bodywork such as massage bring relaxation to the body and help release accumulated tensions. Relaxation of the mind and body makes for a healthier person. There have been studies that have shown that mental and physical stress weakens the immune system and lack of flexibility can lead to poor performance and an increased chance of injury.

Massage increases flexibility and improves range of motion by stimulating the body to produce more lubricant in connective tissue fibers and by loosening and lengthening the muscles. The stretching of a muscle will also loosen it and elongate it bringing flexibility and a greater range of motion. With a greater range of motion, the muscles will be less susceptible to muscle strain and injury. Circulation is also improved with both massage therapy and stretching. This will facilitate healing and recovery from illness and will help the removal of waste products, such as lactic acid. A decrease in lactic acid in the muscle increases performance and minimizes post exercise soreness.

With age and inactivity, the muscles in the body tighten and become less limber. As we age, the body looses water over time and dehydrates to some extent. This will cause lack of mobility but with a regular stretching routine, the muscles will loosen, lengthen and flexibility returns and being consistent will prevent them from tightening up again. Flexibility exercises or stretching can be done anywhere without any need for machines or equipment. There are also plenty of self massage techniques available if you do not want to go to a therapist for a massage before your stretching routine.

There should always be a warm up before starting a stretching routine because it is not a good idea to stretch cold muscles. This can be as simple as a light walk, jog or bicycle ride just so there is an increased blood flow which will physically warm the muscles up. This is very important because warmer muscles are more elastic which makes the body more supple which in turn makes stretching easier and safer. Some people may think that stretching is a way of warming up but that is not the case. While they may be partly right because stretching is an important part of warming up, the main reason for warming up is to raise your core body temperature and your heart rate. At this point, the body is ready to stretch.

Stretching alone brings relief of tension, reduction of stress and increased flexibility so when combined with regular massage sessions the health benefits are increased significantly. So bottom line, if you are interested in being healthier, more productive, and with an increased sense of well being, I recommend you incorporate both stretching and massage into your wellness plan.

Technorati Tags: bodywork, flexibilty, massage, massage therapy, relaxation, streching