The tools used to palpate the client’s tissue include the fingertips, palms, knuckles, forearms, elbows, and even the feet (in massage systems using the feet to apply strokes). These tools provide us with a high degree of palpatory sensitivity because of various somatic sensory receptors in the skin, skeletal muscle, tendons, and joints. These receptors […]
A. Understanding Your Palpation Tools Read More »
Palpation is defined as examination by touching. Physicians use palpation to examine patients with their hands or fingertips, feeling for enlarged organs, areas of particular tenderness, abnormal masses, or a regular or irregular pulse. Massage therapists use palpation to assess the client’s soft-tissue structures and to feel for changes that occur in the tissue as
The information you gather through observation of the client and palpation of the client’s tissue is called objective data. The term objective is defined as information that is free of bias caused by personal feelings. Objective data is based on facts and measurements rather than opinions; these are often referred to as signs. The use
Much of the information the client writes on the health history form or tells you verbally during the health intake interview or during the massage is subjective data. Subjective means information based on opinions or feelings rather than observable facts. Subjective information includes the client’s complaints or symptoms and usually the reason for seeking massage.
A. Gathering Data for a Wellness Session Read More »
Documentation (sometimes called charting) is the process of keeping consistent and complete client records and filling out certain forms at the beginning and end of each session. This topic explains the purpose of documentation, gives guidelines for recording sessions, introduces quantifying and qualifying data, introduces SOAP charting, and shows simple methods for documenting a wellness
Lesson 12-4: Introduction to Documentation Read More »
Session planning is the process of planning a wellness session and using the information gathered during an assessment to set session goals and choose appropriate techniques in collaboration with the client. The purposes of session planning are to ensure client safety, establish realistic client expectations, and guarantee an effective session that meets the client’s needs.
Lesson 12-3: Session Planning for Wellness Massage Read More »
Palpation is a continuous process in which a massage therapist feels the client’s tissue with keen attention to better understand the client’s condition, determine treatment goals, compare tissue from one session to the next, choose effective techniques, and adapt techniques if needed during the session. Palpation is both an art and an essential skill. It
Lesson 12-2: Palpation Read More »
Assessment is the process of collecting information about a client, interpreting the information to better understand the client’s condition, and then making safe and effective treatment decisions based on this understanding. Pre-session and post-session assessments can be compared to document changes in the body brought about by the massage session. Assessment skills help therapists know
Lesson 12-1: Assessment for a Wellness Session Read More »
Assessment, session planning, and documentation are interrelated skills that, when mastered by a massage therapist, ensure the client’s safety and comfort and the choice of effective and appropriate techniques. The skills discussed in this chapter form the foundation for more advanced assessment, session planning, and documentation methods described in Chapter 19. Scroll through the slides
Lesson 12-0: Introduction Read More »
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