1

Lauriann Greene, CEAS

Richard W. Goggins, CPE, LMP

© 2011, Gilded Age Press, Inc. 1

Lauriann Greene, CEAS Richard W. Goggins, CPE, LMP

2

Objectives

� Risk of Injury

� Differentiate Methods

� Create a Plan

3

Pretest

1. Which of the following best describes the rate of symptoms and injuries among massage therapists?

a. About half have symptoms and 10% experience injuries

b. About two-thirds have symptoms and 20% experience injuries

c. About three-quarters have symptoms and 30-40% experience injuries

d. None of the above

3

Pretest

2. Normal aging:

a. Results in a gradual decline in overall well-being

b. Doesn’t necessarily result in musculoskeletal injury

c. Can be altered by repeated trauma

d. All of the above

Pretest

3. Which of the following is true about wrist injuries among massage therapists?

a. Carpal tunnel syndrome is the only injury to worry about

b. Wrists are the most commonly injured part of the body

c. Wrists aren’t the most common site of injury, but they’re in the top 5.

d. None of the above

4

Pretest

4. Practicing good body mechanics:

a. Has been proven to prevent injury

b. Is all I need to focus on to stay healthy

c. Is just another term for ergonomics

d. None of the above

Pretest

5. Which of the following is NOT an example of ergonomics for a massage practice?

a. A height adjustable stool

b. Hand tools for trigger point work

c. Early morning stretches

d. A massage room with plenty of space around the table

5

Pretest

6. A good workout for massage therapists:

a. Means just giving massages, and lots of them

b. Should focus on strengthening the chest and forearm muscles

c. Should not include aerobic exercise, since endurance isn’t important in massage work

d. Should include strengthening exercises to underused muscles

Myth #1

� Symptoms aren’t common or serious.

6

Reality #1

�Symptoms are common.

� Injuries are less common,

and preventable.

Copyright © 2010 Gilded Age Press, Inc. All rights reserved. 12

Survey Group Surveyed MSD prevalence

Greene and

Goggins (2006)

U.S., 601 experienced

massage therapists

Symptoms: 77%

Injury: 41%

Jang et al. (2006)

Taiwan, 161 visually-

impaired massage

therapists

Symptoms: 71.4%

Albert, et al.

(2007)

Canada, 502

registered massage

therapists

Symptoms: 62.2% to

83.3% depending on

part of the body

Injury: 31%

Terra Rosa (2008)Australia, 64 massage

therapists

Symptoms:

26% to 69% depending

on part of the body.

7

Myth #2

�Aches, pains, injuries = part of aging.

Reality #2

� Injury is not part of normal aging

8

Age

Injury Threshold

Normal AgingTrauma

Well-being

Adapted from Health and Safety Needs of Older Workers, National Academy of Sciences (2004), National Academies Press

Myth #3

�Carpal tunnel syndrome is the only worry.

9

Reality #3

�Need to also protect other body parts

Most Frequently Injured Among MTs

1. Shoulders

2. Thumbs 3. Lower Back

4. Neck

5.Wrists

10

Most Frequently Injured Among MTs

�Think about body parts you use:

�Often/repetitively

� In awkward postures

�With a lot of force

Myth #4

� I just need good body mechanics

11

Reality #4

�Good body mechanics isn’t enough

Holistic Approach is

Most Effective

�Acknowledge risk

� Identify risk factors

�Reduce risk factors: ergonomics

�Develop good body mechanics

�Take care of physical/emotional health

22

12

Myth #5

�Ergonomics is just for computer work.

Reality #5

�Use ergonomics in your practice.

13

Applications of Ergonomics

Treatment room set-up

Selecting and using hand tools

Height-adjustable equipment

Myth #6

�Doing massage is a good workout

14

Reality #6

�MTs need a more complete workout.

Myth #7

�Only need to strengthen forearm and chest muscles.

15

Reality #7

�Strengthen underused muscles

Myth #8

�Stretch before starting to massage

16

Reality #8

�Stretching may not be helpful

Overall Physical Conditioning

32

Strength

Endurance

Flexibility

Stability

Balance

Circulation

Body Awareness

Good

Movement Patterns

Lack of Adhesions

17

Myth #9

� I now know everything I need to know!

Reality #9

�No, but comprehensive info is available.

18

Injury Prevention Tips

Warm up first

19

Use larger muscles

Change Position Often

20

Avoid Overuse

x

Limit effort to 30% of max.

21

Schedule Thoughtfully

Receive massage often

22

Questions

Post-Test

1. Which of the following best describes the rate of symptoms and injuries among massage therapists?

a. About half have symptoms and 10% experience injuries

b. About two-thirds have symptoms and 20% experience injuries

c. About three-quarters have symptoms and 30-40% experience injuries

d. None of the above

23

2. Normal aging:

a. Results in a gradual decline in overall well-being

b. Doesn’t necessarily result in musculoskeletal injury

c. Can be altered by repeated trauma

d. All of the above

Post-Test

3. Which of the following is true about wrist injuries among massage therapists?

a. Carpal tunnel syndrome is the only injury to worry about

b. Wrists are the most commonly injured part of the body

c. Wrists aren’t the most common site of injury, but they’re in the top 5.

d. None of the above

Post-Test

24

4. Practicing good body mechanics:

a. Has been proven to prevent injury

b. Is all I need to focus on to stay healthy

c. Is just another term for ergonomics

d. None of the above

Post-Test

5. Which of the following is NOT an example of ergonomics for a massage practice?

a. A height adjustable stool

b. Hand tools for trigger point work

c. Early morning stretches

d. A massage room with plenty of space around the table

Post-Test

25

6. A good workout for massage therapists:

a. Means just giving massages, and lots of them

b. Should focus on strengthening the chest and forearm muscles

c. Should not include aerobic exercise, since endurance isn’t important in massage work

d. Should include strengthening exercises to underused muscles

Post-Test

Thank You for Participating!

For More Informationand Online CE Courses: www.saveyourhands.com

Teach Self-Care and Earn Income as a

Certified Injury Prevention Instructor

www.saveyourhands.com/cipi

© 2011, Gilded Age Press, Inc.