help-joints in my hands are really sore after massaging

[Ashwin]

hello all

I only qualified 2 years ago (itec dip holistic mass) and until 3 months ago i just did family and friends in my spare time....now i work in a spa and it is pretty full on with back to back treatments throughout the shift.
i noticed last week my fingers, wrists and pretty much eveything in between was clicking when i massaged, the last few days they are so sore, they were feeling really hot inside last night and today felt really cold it was hard to warm my fingers up....when i do deep tissue or swedish i use my forearms and elbows a lot, but it seems just a simple face and head massage is setting it off.....

im gutted, i love my job so much and worked so hard to get it-any ideas, advice or thoughts are very very appreciated...

i only work part time, there are ladies at work who have been there for years and have no problems-could it be me doing something wrong??

Much love

a x

 

[awbball4]

This has to be one of the problems that massage therapists do experience when they do treatments back to back, so you really need to take good care of yourself. Some people I know have trained in No Hands Massage to preserve the joints in their hands from strain. Others I know got some acupuncture to help themselves out.

Good idea to do some warm ups prior to massage and ensure that your posture whilst giving a massage is good, try to use your body weight, rather than increasing pressure on finger joints and for friction reinforce fingers or thumbs.

Take good care of yourself and you will have a long career, but above listen to your body and don't be bullied into using too much pressure if it is uncomfortable for you.

Binah
x

 

[hcwzcebm]

Hi amythest2000, this is a common compliant with therapists, especially those what work on production lines in spas, perhaps you need to address your techniques. We all get in bad habits, i had a nasty scare 3 years ago, but by addressing my techniques, adjusting my posture, also stretching out my wrist flexors and extensors, my painful hands have never come back.

Therapist1960uk

 

[Pompal 09.]

When you use fingers and thumbs, make sure you always cover them with your other hand (or thumb if you must) so you still use them as a tool, but the force doesn't all go through the one digit.

Stretching and warming up/down is good, but I'm in a similar situation as you (allbeit with less clients, but still back to back) and understand there is often little time for this.

Try to massage your own hands and arms (there are books available on this subject), or get another therapist to treat you regularly, and stretch at home.

I also find that I get more problems when I'm generally tired and/or stressed, so try to make sure you get enough sleep and you-time.

 

[The Goodley]

I recommend you read this book asap - it's really excellent and also explains the nature of repetitive strain injury really well. You can get it on amazon:

http://www.saveyourhands.com/index.php/The-book/the-book.html

Please think long term here - if you don't nip this in the bud your career may be very short.

 

[dikqrpbf]

All good advice-I do some pretty heavy duty sports massage, quite often 10 or more appointments per day (my choice, but I wouldn't recommend it to everybody), and yes the joints do get a little sore. In addition to the excellent advice given on supporting hands and no hands massage (try using Knuckles as well as forearm and elbow points), try plenty of self massage and stretching of the joints and muscles in the hands and arms-even better, get someone to do it for you.

 

[Erma B]

Hi amethyst

I agree wholeheartedly with pretty much everything that has been said here. I started getting joint pain in my thumbs and wrists after only 6 months of starting in this business, so I knew I had to make sure I looked after myself. Do make sure you posture is good all the time during your treatments, so your bodyweight is providing the pressure rather than your joints, and definitely learn more about using your forearms or elbows if you can.

I'm not sure if it's feasible where you are working, but I use hot stones which basically mean I don't use my thumbs at all any more, so I have no more problems with my joints. They really are fab as hand savers, so if it is feasible maybe you could consider this option?

Best of luck

Josey

 

[OttDanuaie]

Lie on your back and thoroughly palpate all of your scalene muscles. Address all of the trigger points you find.

I'd be interested to know how many you find. I'd be surprised if you had none. Also look at the lateral apect of your bracialis and subscapularis, wouldn't be surprised to find triggers there too. You probably have a touch of medialepicondylitis? If so have a look/palpate the distal, medial aspect of triceps and give that area some attention.

Also sounds as if you are tensing your fingers during effleurage. I had a massage off a girl, during effleurage I couldn't feel her palms on me at all. Not only was it most unpleasant, her finger flexors must have been going through hell.

I don't use my thumbs in petrissage, as shown in Darien Pritchards book, takes a while to get used to but excellent once you do.

Hope that helps.

Kevin.

 

[exponoveile]

Find a good hands-free course that you feel may work for you. I'm both No Hands and Injury Prevention Massage trainined (and an IPM trainer). These techniques have been fantastic for me, its not about never using your hands - its about only using them when you need to. The majority of effleurage and pettrisage work can be done with other areas and most importantly reducing strain and pressure to delicate small joints and muscles.

Mat

 

[EtternaEtta]

Darien Pritchard, as mentioned by Kevin, has written a great (big!) book which is worth buying. He also teaches hands-free massage, definitely in the Cardiff & Bristol area, possibly elsewhere in the country too. Have a look here: http://www.dynamicmassage.co.uk/

 

[Sugar]

Hi amythest2000
I agree with much of the above in terms of protection. But as you mention your hands feeling hot and cold it could be nerve impingment of the brachial plexus neck or shoulder area due to bad posture.If this is the case getting all your triggerpoints treated should be your priority.
As you have already been warned by those above this change in career and production line method could be harmfull to you.
Listen to your body, dont give to much of yourself, let energy flow through you not from you.
My tips are :-always work from an adjustable height table if you can.
Ice your hands at the end of the day (as long as they are not cold numb already)
Make friends with your local/clinic osteopath he/she may treat you for free if you can send/set up a referal system.
Swap treatments regularily with other massage therapists.(and reiki too)
Take glucosamine and chondritin suppliments.
Keep fit and strong at the gym.
Swim backstroke = good for unwinding the spine and arms at the end of a long day.

I'm 12 yrs into my career and hoping for at least another 12. I wish you a long and successfull career.

Regards steve

 

[shefali b]

thanks to everyone for taking your time to reply with such fab advice-interesting what stephen said because my neck is feeling very stiff also-i have made an appointment to see my gp to maybe get a referral for treatment before my symptoms get worse...

out of interest It was also recommended using magnet therapy in the form of a wrist band (bracelet or similar) does anyone have any feedback regarding this??

thank you all again

A xxx

 

[mr.x (cfc)~]

I've used 2 different magnetic wristbands, they get in the way while massaging and they turn my wrists green.

Myarka.

 

[HFN]

Forgot to add that an easy test to do is to flex and extend your fingers. If (with gentle pressure ) they touch or nearly touch your forearm then you are hyperflexable (your muscles will be very overworked trying to stabilize your joints whilst working) You may find this will severely limit your career potential.

Regards steve