MM Chapter 11: Body Mechanics and Self-Care

All massage therapists should consciously control their work environment to ensure they promote good body mechanics. Take proactive steps to organize the treatment space, adjust equipment, and plan self-care activities that ensure your health and wellness. Furthermore, pay attention to signs and signals from your body that indicate fatigue or bad postural habits. Organize the […]

Therapists are injured because of poor body mechanics or repetitive movements that overstress one area of the body. In addition, sometimes job pressures cause therapists to continue working when they are tired. When exhausted, a therapist is more susceptible to injury and burnout. Repetitive Stress Therapists perform the same or similar massage techniques over and

Quick Links During a session, therapists use a wide variety of movements and postures: standing, sitting, bending, and stretching, as well as pulling and lifting body parts, applying compressive strokes to an area, and working deeply into tissue. When performing these movements and postures from a properly supported position, you have less risk of injury

Quick Links Body mechanics is the use of proper body movements to prevent and correct posture problems and injuries, reduce stress, and enhance physical capability. Massage therapists must pay attention to centering and grounding, structural alignment, technique variety, and the proper use of body weight and breath to prevent repetitive stress when giving a massage.

Traffic jams, bills to pay, relationship problems, health concerns, eating on the run, work pressures, and other demands trigger the body’s flight-or-fight response and may lead to physical symptoms like headaches, teeth grinding, fatigue, insomnia, muscular aches, anxiety, depression, mood swings, forgetfulness, poor concentration, and a negative attitude. Unrelieved stress takes both a mental and

Figure 11-2: Strengthen the Core for Good Posture A. The “abdominal squeeze” exercise. Lie on your back with knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Imagine pulling your navel in toward the spine while tilting your pubic bone toward your navel. Your shoulders are down and chest lifted. B. With knees bent, lift

The human body has great potential for increased health in its musculoskeletal and cardiovascular system. This potential can be tapped and optimized at any stage of life through a conditioning program. Different conditioning programs affect posture, flexibility, and strength in different ways. Posture, flexibility, and strength are key components of good body mechanics and overall

The proper amount of sleep, 7 to 9 hours a day for most adults, is essential for good health. Sleeping 6 hours or less triples a person’s risk of a car accident.16 Because sleep is cumulative, lost sleep builds up a sleep debt that must eventually be replaced. Even minor sleep deprivation can cause irritability,

A person’s nutritional requirements are unique and influenced by genetics, body type, lifestyle, cultural background, medical history, and current health. A nutritionist or naturopathic doctor can help you understand the role that food plays in your life and what foods and supplements are essential for good health if you have special needs or are particularly