“Shoulder strain of the deltoid and rotator cuff group muscles is extremely common in massage therapists,” explains Muscolino.
One common nerve impingement injury experienced by massage therapists is thoracic outlet syndrome, which involves the compression of nerves or blood vessels between the collarbone and the first rib. Injuries to tendons or muscles can also result from the repetitive movements involved in performing massages.
After all, your arms and hands are the part of your body you use the most during a massage. Having strong arms and hands is an important part of being a good massage therapist but so too is knowing when to rest your arms and hands. They work hard and deserve some recovery time.
Massage therapists often face ergonomic hazards due to the repetitive nature of their work. Prolonged periods of standing, bending, or crouching, alongside improper body mechanics can lead to musculoskeletal issues such as back pain.
These are areas of the body where deep, sustained pressure should be avoided because of the structures that lie beneath. Those areas are the anterior and posterior triangles of the neck, suprasternal notch, sternum, axilla, spinal column, umbilical area, inguinal triangle, popliteal fossa, and the antecubital fossa.
Never touch the client's genitals or anus. Clients can only provide explicit consent to have their genital area and gluteal cleft exposed for the purpose of Massage Therapy during childbirth.
A therapist should never be sexual in any way with a client. That includes sexual touching, sexually explicit comments to or any sexual act whatsoever. Every well-trained massage therapist understands—or should understand—the guidelines that follow.
Certain conditions contraindicate massage, either because of the risk it may pose to the client or to the therapist. For example, if you have a cold, flu, or other contagious viral or bacterial infection, your therapist may decline to work with you because they don't want to catch a cold.
According to Mary Beth Braun, a professional coach and massage therapist, risk factors for overload burnout include “scheduling appointments too close together, working too many hours, and not getting enough rest and recovery.”
Swedish massage is arguably considered the most popular massage type, appearing on a majority of spa menus worldwide. This Western massage utilizes the following techniques—effleurage (stroking), friction (rubbing), petrissage (kneading) and tapotement (rhythmic choppings)—for a truly relaxing spa treatment experience.
Elbows give your massage more leverage
Hands, knuckles and forearms may enable your therapist to direct satisfactory pressure when massaging the rest of your body but more fibrous tissues require the elbow lever to sink deeper in order to melt away muscle tension.
Massage therapy sessions
How many appointments you have in a day depends on your availability and scheduling preferences, but most full-time therapists will see around five clients a day with massage appointments typically lasting between 60 and 90 minutes.
Recent Injuries or Acute Trauma
In the early stages of injury, when swelling, inflammation, and acute pain are present, massage may exacerbate the problem. For example, with sprains, strains, or fractures, a massage can increase blood flow to the area, potentially causing more swelling and prolonging healing.
Blood vessels such as major veins and arteries are a massage area of caution. A good rule of thumb for massage therapists is to avoid applying pressure anywhere that you can feel a pulse.
Certain areas of the body should be avoided during massage if there are injuries, inflammation, or conditions such as varicose veins. Areas like the abdomen during pregnancy, broken bones, and open wounds should also not be massaged.
Inflammation from injury or infection. Acute medical conditions such as recent injuries, treatments or surgical procedures. Certain medications can be a contraindication for massage or require special precautions. Under the influence of alcohol or drugs, especially if sensation or cognition are affected.
Massage stimulates receptors that transmit sensory signals to the central nervous system, and this in turn causes the reduction in tension in muscles and the feeling of relaxation. Massage causes the release of endorphins which has been shown to reduce pain and muscle tension.
One of the first red flags in a massage session is a lack of communication. If the therapist doesn't take the time to ask about your pain points or preferences before starting, that's a sign of trouble.
Professional boundaries in massage therapy are crucial for creating a respectful environment. Any form of non-consensual physical contact is strictly prohibited, including sexual advances or inappropriate touching.
But don't worry—it's not an uncommon reaction. During a massage, the combination of physical touch and deep breathing relaxes your body. It activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for “rest and digest” body functions such as slowing the heart rate, digestion, and yes—arousal.
The temperature of the water can cause your muscles to tense up, which can negate the benefits of massage therapy. The heat can also increase the risk of dehydration. Inflammation may also occur if you are already feeling sore after the massage. Wait at least 1-2 hours before showering or taking a bath.
1. Slow down when you need to. Speed up when you don't need to slow down.