tools

shared http://blog.atpeacemedia.com/being-prepared-tools-to-have-handy

One of the best parts of being a massage therapist is the cool gear. We get to use funky tables and chairs, fancy oils, and listen to music while we work. One of the worst parts of being a massage therapist is dealing with all the gear. Or specifically for me, remembering the gear. 

I don’t do outcalls or chair massage often anymore. So when I do, you can bet money on me forgetting something. Last week I forgot a face cradle cover and had to use an ill-fitting towel instead. Awhile back I couldn’t find nail clippers in my car, so I had to stop at a store on the way to a chair gig. 

We’re not saving babies here (except when we are) so there’s usually a MacGyver solution to every problem. But still, I would much rather be prepared than look like a dork, or be late because I had to stop for a nail file. 

I decided the best way to accommodate my own weaknesses is to mindfully make some lists of what I need, assemble the items, and organize into 3 sealable plastic bags. One each to live in my car, my massage table bag, and my massage chair bag. No, this is not rocket science. This is some pretty simple stuff that we all learned in massage school. And yet… the infrequency of doing outcalls and my general forgetfulness caused me to fall out of practice. It’s time to refresh and shape up. 

What's below is a combination of a “Stuff Allissa usually forgets, so here’s how she can compensate for her own absurdity”  and  a “everything you need to do a gig” list.

For the car

In this plastic bag I keep:

• Nail clippers
• Nail file
• Tissues
• Hand Sanitizer
• Business Cards
• Breath mints

I have a really small car, so carrying any other gear all the time would be a hassle. 

In the massage table bag's pocket

In the plastic bag I keep:

• Nail clippers
• Nail file
• Tissues
• Hand Sanitizer
• Business Cards
• 1 Small bottle fancy foot cream
• 1 Small bottle of unscented oil (in case I didn't notice my main oil was low)
• CD of massagey music  (in case there’s no port/option to use the music on my iPhone)
• 2 Face cradle covers / pillowcase (pillowcases are great make-shift face cradle covers, and can also turn anything into a bolster)
• Copy of massage license and insurance policy

Other table gig stuff I need to gather for each event:

• Travel clock
• Sheets for each client
• Oil holster & bottle
• Bolster
• Stool
• Travel pillow
• Heating pad
• Power strip w/ extension cord
• Small ipod dock or cd player

In the massage chair bag's pocket

In this plastic bag I keep:

• Nail clippers
• Nail file
• Tissues
• Hand Sanitizer
• Business Cards
• Copy of massage license and insurance policy

Other chair gig stuff I need to gather for each event:

• Lotion for clients' hands
• Disinfectant spray for chair
• Paper Towels (I use Kleenex Viva, since they also make great, soft disposable face rest covers)
• Small trash bag
• Music
• Small ipod dock or cd player
• Table-top sign with my business name, logo, etc.
• SWAG: custom magnets, Biofreeze brochures w/samples, stress balls
• Event-specific email sign up list

Those are my lists. But I want to know, what do YOU always forget? And how have you remedied that?

***

shared http://www.fitnesscareers.com.au/newsview/massage-therapist-tips-for-taking-care-of-your-150

Posted on Wednesday 21st October 2015

As a Massage Therapist, your job is to care for others through releasing pain, tension and inflammation. But it’s also important that you remember to take care of yourself too.

Your hands are your livelihood, so keeping them in top shape is essential. Caring for your hands properly not only ensures you protect them from bone or muscle damage, but it also means you’ll be able to give your clients the best service you can.

An alarming number of Massage Therapists leave the industry within the first two years of starting up. A major reason for this is injury, including muscle and tendon injuries, and damage to nerves.

While it’s impossible to fully protect yourself and it’s unreasonable to think you will never get injured, there are ways you can better care for yourself and your body.

Common Massage Therapist Issues

Injury - Tenosynovitis
The most common injury that Massage Therapists experience in their hands is tenosynovitis – adhesions that develop between a tendon and its surrounding synovial sheath (or covers). Most Massage Therapists feel it at the base of the thumb, and generally it is caused by overuse. The ability to move one’s thumb is at the core of most massage techniques, so a condition that impacts movement of the thumb can be extremely detrimental to your ability to work.

How To Prevent And Protect
The best form of protection is prevention, and to adequately avoid developing this kind of injury it’s best to condition yourself. This means stretch your hands, fingers and arms before and after each session, as well as at regular intervals during the day. If you do find that your hands are starting to hurt, massage the area like you would for a client.

Keep your thumbs in a neutral position and use your bodyweight to distribute pressure. This takes the burden off your thumbs. You can also use other fingers or the opposite thumb for support.

Injury - Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Another common problem that massage therapists tend to develop is carpal tunnel syndrome – a compression of the nerve. Overuse of the wrist or fingers tends to be the most common reason for the injury. A major concern surrounding carpal tunnel can be the time it takes to heal. Nerve tissue takes quite a long time to recover, so carpal tunnel can take a while to resolve itself. Also, it frequently occurs, and can so in the same area over and over again. This can seriously inhibit your ability to work.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is usually caused by postural problems. A full wrist extension and bent fingers are most common when working on computers, but is also a common technique used during massage therapy. Using your palm to massage is another risk factor.

How To Prevent And Protect
Changing the way you massage a client can be the best form of prevention. Rather than relying on your wrist for deep tissue massages, the forearm is a good alternative. Turning your wrist slightly can also help avoid putting too much pressure on your nerves.

Correctly lining up your body can do wonders for avoiding injuries. Using your whole body to massage will avoid too much stress on the wrist and thumb.

Do not hyperextend or hyperflex your wrists. Again, use your body to support you and move around the table so you can adequately support your wrist. Use your shoulder and back to help apply the pressure rather than solely relying on your wrists.

Also, as with any possible injury, conditioning your body to adapt is best. Stretch the muscles and massage them if you feel sore. If you do develop carpal tunnel, putting less pressure on the nerve is the best form of action.

General Upkeep

The quality of the massage largely depends on what shape your hands are in. Some of the most common complaints from clients relate to the condition of a therapist’s hands – dry hands, cold hands, chipped nails or sharp nails.

There are some general things you can do to ensure your hands, arms and elbows are in respectable shape.

• Use liquid band aids if you cut yourself.
• If you’re using weights to exercise, use weightlifting gloves to avoid calluses.
• Use rubber gloves when doing the dishes or housework to avoid dry hands.
• Warm your hands before the therapy starts.
• Ensure your nails are trimmed and filed neatly.
• Use moisturiser. You may be using oils, creams and moisturisers on your clients, however you’re also washing this off your hands after the appointment.