When did your wrists stop hurting?

[magoo]

I've been a M.T. for 7 months, and have had bouts of wrist pain off and on. I've really worked on my body mechanics, and I started getting chiropractic adjustments to help. Both have helped in BIG ways, and I also get regular massage. My wrists are alright most of the time, now, just a little painful in certain positions or at the end of a busy week.

I was into my chiro today, and he told me that most new M.T.'s he sees have their bodies--forearms and wrists specifically, adapt to doing massage within 2-3 years. He told me if I could make it over that hump, it would most likely be smooth sailing if I did my best to take care of myself after that.

Those words were music to my ears, I've thought of cutting back or finding a new career if the pain persisted as it did in the beginning. I don't mind adapting a little, but I would be wary if i knew it would be a persistent, career-long struggle.

My question is: those of you that have been at it for awhile, was there a "hump" you got over where you felt like your body had finally adapted to your work, and it became less of a struggle to be pain free?

(I am not asking for wrist tips, BTW, I've got that handled, but thanks!)

Thanks in Advance!

 

[Sachin]

Well, I didn't have a problem with my wrists, except when I worked in a spa and they had me doing 7 & 8 people in a day. They weren't too worried about what was or wasn't good for the therapists though. That was after I'd been in private practice for quite some years.

I will say my background is a little different though, as I had to build up my wrists prior to being an MT d/t other professional demands. So, I am not the best person for wrist pain info.

However, I thought I'd at least let you know when I did have wrist pain. Maybe it will help. :massage:

 

[T.F.C]

When I was in MT school I didn't have to build up my wrists... I've always had strong hands and my wrists were pretty good despite having been working in Data Entry for about 7 years prior to becoming a MT. I always thought I'd end up with CTS, but I think my interest in massage (and massaging family members when needed) were something that kept me "flexible."
However, about 3-4 years after graduation I was putting my massage table into the trunk of my car and felt a sharp pain in the tendons of my right wrist, and it has acted up on occasion ever since. It doesn't act up that often, but when the spa schedules a lot of deep tissue massages for me without enough breaks in between it can flare up. To add to this, I have a tendency to be hypermobile. So if it's acting up I will break out the wrist brace... and it usually feels better within a few hours.
As pueppi says, most spas don't care whether you're hurting or it's too much for you. Because for most spas it is about processing the people through as fast as possible. The more clients you can see in a day the more money they make. It's not in their best financial interest to allow proper recovery time for the therapist between clients. Therapists in their eyes are often "expendable."
Working on your body mechanics can help, but it's just the nature of the beast to some extent, that we're going to be experiencing some of the same issues our clients see us for.
I would say that whether or not you can count on a future of wrist pain depends on several factors. And the one that in my book counts the most is how likely you are to make taking care of your wrists/hands a priority!
You will learn just how far you can push yourself without crossing the line.
A co-worker (CMT for over 14 years) and I (over 10 years) really feel that having 2 days off in a row really helps us to feel like we're fully rested and recovered from the stresses that work puts us, most especially our forearms and wrists.
Was there a "hump" I had to get over? No, for each new injury leaves it's own set of "issues" to have to deal with... it's more like a series of speed bumps.

 

[lmechwarrior]

Well, that makes me feel like I am on the right track. Thanks for all that info. I already take 2 days off a week, I take a 3 day weekend once a month. And, I get weekly forearm/wrist/hand massage, and a monthly chiro adjustment (Very small adjustments, which really help).

Like I've said in other posts, I am really glad I don't work at a spa! I have my own office so I can dictate my own schedule. It's really made a difference in how I feel...and my wrists

 

[meatball7]

Find the Art Riggs DVD's (I borrowed mine from the library through InterLibrary Loan for FREE!) and take a look at what he says about the many tools a massage therapist has.

Frankly, I'd be concerned if you are having that much wrist pain. I have a situation where I've seriously strained my wrist in the past coaching gymnastics so I get it adjusted at a chiropractors about once a month - but it doesn't cause me pain all the time.

Are you keeping your arms in line or "breaking at the wrist"?
Would it be better to move to forearm? Fist and use the back of your knuckles (I'm short so that's worse for me than open hand)? Elbow? (One of my favorites!)

Have you experimented with what specific movements, strokes, techniques or stances make it worse and which are better?

Blessings, Angela <

P.S. One other thing just popped in to my head. Be sure you are grounding yourself before and during your sessions. Sometimes energy feedback can manafest physically.

 

[2pac]

Thanks for the response, Angela,

I'm really careful about body mechanics, and I don't break at the wrist when I work, and I only use movements and body parts (elbow, heel of hand, forearm, etc) in ways and at a frequency to not exacerbate my pain.

I am not in pain all of the time, just mostly at the end of a long day, or long week. After 2-3 days rest, it's ok. It just bothers me that the pain IS there, and does come and go, even when I feel like i am taking care of myself well.

I get weekly massage, and monthly chiropractic (wrists included!), and that helps. My chiropractor has also shown me some ways to tweak body mechanics and such for my benefit.

It's basically like this though--lots of work=pain at the end of the day. I can't say I like that equation!

I'll check out that video, it sounds good. I doubt if our library has it, but I will check!

 

[turboae]

My library didn't have it either. But if you take the name and author of any book or video to your librarian you can request it through interlibrary loan. Mine came to our library from Austin!! :-D

Let me ask one more question then - how many clients is "a long day"?

Angela

 

[vatsal]

I had a time about the 2.5 year mark when I had regular pain in my forearms and wrists. I worked a lot with no breaks or work to myself and that was mainly the reason. The place I worked, made it difficult on you to rest and just worked you to death. I know better now and I hardly have any pain. I usually encounter pain when I am doing other things too much and then work - like yard work or certain moves with my son.

I get regular massage, adjustments and reflexology.

Getting regular work on yourself and making sure you don't overload your schedule will keep you in the career. You seem to be on the right track. I don't know what a busy day is like for you, but limits are important.