Hands - Caring for Your Precious Hands

Comment

Comment by Nancy Toner Weinberger on July 20, 2011 at 3:49pm

Tenee, you would be an interesting case to work with. I wonder if there are any Trager Practitioners in your area who could work with you?

 

Another thought- for a temporary fix- how about the voice activation computer programs? In fact I think the new Windows 7 comes with it. You have to train the program to your voice, but they do work. In fact you could just record and not even bother with written notes. If they were needed for a court case or such, you could have them transcribed.

Comment by Tenee J on July 20, 2011 at 1:11pm

Nancy~That sounds wonderful! As a LMT diagnosed with Focal Dystonia (before I became a therapist), I could probably use some of the Trager Mentastics technique. I am pain free during and after a massage, it's writing the SOAP notes where dystonia gets tricky;) Any other thoughts?

Comment by Nancy Toner Weinberger on May 25, 2011 at 11:00am

Aside from being careful with my hands in everyday activities, and wearing gloves when gardening and such, I have found the very best care for my hands to be Trager Mentastics. I learned them long ago, around 1980, and have used them ever since. Once you've practiced them and your hands and arms and shoulders have learned what it feels like to relax, you are able to do only a few movements and those few movements serve as a memory trigger for the body/mind. I recall Dr. Milton Trager spending 45 minutes just on feeling and exploring the weight of the thumbs. As the mind sinks into such an amazing exploration a whole new sense of your hands comes through. So try a Trager Mentastics class sometime! It's the opposite of effort- effortless!

Comment by Lauriann Greene, CEAS on January 11, 2011 at 4:47pm

Find out more about protecting your hands, and the rest of your body, from injury as a massage therapist at the Feb. 11-13, 2011 Certified Injury Prevention Instructor workshop in Boca Raton, FL.  2 1/2 days (18 CEUs) with Lauriann Greene, CEAS and Richard W. Goggins, CPE, LMP.  LOTS of hands-on instruction - learn how to help your fellow therapists prevent injury, too!

http://www.saveyourhands.com/CIPI/

Comment by Hans Albert Quistorff, LMP on January 2, 2011 at 11:31pm

This is an interesting thread.  I would like to discuss some of the posture links involved in the neck and shoulder tension.  As mentioned the lower trapezius should be holding the scapula down to support your work.  The link from there is the psoas minor which links to the pubic bone and gives you stability to the pelvis.

Often bending and twisting causes disruption of the enervation at T11/12 to the psoas minor.  An abrupt kyphosis or scoliosis at that level will also cause the Lovett's reciprocal rotation at C6/7 to mirror the condition.  I personally have damage to this area from my youth so I have studied it very carefully during the last 15 years.

This is the most common source of posture distortion I find in my practice.

For the Reflexoligest I recommend working the reflex point lateral to the first meta tarsal/tarsal joint while supine with upper lumbar and lower cervical bolstered.  The best access to the foot is to pass it under the bent knee of the opposite leg.  This engages the lower trapezius psoas minor chain diagonally.    The reflex point does not need to be worked but held firmly for feedback while you arch the low back and neck and release several times.

 

Hans Albert Quistorff, LMP

Antalgic Posture Pain Specialist

http://reflexposturology.weebly.com/ 

Comment by Lauriann Greene, CEAS on January 2, 2011 at 6:22pm

Sue, in addition to some of the other comments that have already been mentioned, you should be careful about keeping your work close to you, and make sure you're not reaching out as you work (which can cause the kind of tightness you're describing).  The tension in your neck and upper back can come from something as simple as looking down at your client all day (something many therapists do) - try to just glance down with your eyes, rather than hanging your head down.  If you're using too much effort to create your strokes, that can cause overall tension - ease up, you may not need to use as much hand force as you think to be effective, and make sure you're not holding your breath as you work. Also take a look at what you do outside of work that may be adding to the overuse of your upper extremities, neck and shoulders - remember, your body doesn't care whether you're overusing your body at work or off work during hobbies or sports, the overall effect is cumulative.  Definitely doing physical conditioning of some kind to counteract the tension and build more strength and flexibility is important.  Remember that many factors contribute to causing musculoskeletal symptoms, so it usually takes a multifaceted strategy to address the symptoms. I hope you find Save Your Hands! 2nd. Ed. to be helpful, thanks for that!

Comment by Sue Benjamin, NCTMB on January 2, 2011 at 4:45pm

Thank, Karina, for the pointers.  I do understand what you are saying, but I know I don't always pay attention to my body mechanics like I ought to when I'm working.  Also, a lot of this tension is from using my arms when I'm belly dancing.  I need to be doing more stretching.  And I know getting back into a regular yoga practice would help too.

Comment by Karina Braun on January 2, 2011 at 3:03pm

Hello. Sometimes when the neck and shoulders hold a lot of tension after doing massage, it can be caused from using solely upper body strength and not stabilizing the scapulae. Make sure when doing massage keep the head to heart to pelvis connection and slide the scapulae down the back with using the lower trapezius muscles. Also, think about your base of support. While sitting your base of support is the ischial tuberosities and the feet and while standing it is the feet. Let the energy be transferred through the feet and up the body to the hands. This happens with proper weight transference and correct stabilization throughout the body.
Sometimes,with reflexology, it is challenging because you are seated and it can be hard to put your whole body weight behind it. Lining up the bones and joints is very important. The thumb joint is subject to wear and tear with overuse but with cryotherapy you can help the inflammation and healing. Best of luck in your practices!
Stay Healthy!
Karina Braun, Author, Creating Peace with Your Hands

Comment by Sue Benjamin, NCTMB on January 2, 2011 at 1:38pm

Great topic.  I am a massage therapist and a reflexologist.  I've been doing reflexology for 11 years and massage for 6.  I have a lot of trouble with tension and tightness in my neck, shoulders, arms and upper back.  My clients often ask me, "Don't your hands get tired or sore?"  I say, "No, not really, but my neck and shoulders do".  But now lately my thumbs are giving me troubles as I work, and I'm having to modify my techniques.  I love my work and certainly don't want to have to cut back or quit because of work related injuries.   I just ordered Lauriann's book Save Your Hands.  I'm looking forward to reading it.   Thank you.

Comment by Kevin Campbell on December 29, 2010 at 2:14pm

Thanks Lauriann for the link to your podcast!  I'm going to get your book!

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