Massage really hurts my hands/wrist!

[MissKatieAnn]

Hi All!!

So I find whenever I do massage it really hurts my wrists/knuckles/fingers, even if its just the foot massage in a pedicure. I really struggle to do a full hour body massage at work as I begin to fatigue and my hands start to shake, really ache and cause me alot of pain, causing me to fluctuate in pressure It is really putting me off working in a salon as I dont think they would let me not do massage at all as the other girls do it fine. I do have slight hypermobile joints. I also do mobile treatments and I am planning on taking massage off my treatment list and leaving only back massage.

Are there any tips you guys can give me on stopping my hands from hurting during massage? Its the worst when most clients ask for deep pressure! Also I only know the basic techniques taught as college as this is my first salon job.

Katie x

 

[Tigan]

Yip press-ups ! :twisted:

 

[laurakate]

How much massage are you doing per day?

Are you making use of arms and elbows to widen your technique and take the stress off your hands?

The above are questions that you need to ask yourself but ultimately, I would do two things:

*Go to your GP to get more information about why it's hurting too much. In my opinion (and it is just my opinion), the discomfort you describe sounds like it goes beyond what is expected in the circumstances.

*Ideally, get some one to one massage training with someone who can help you look at the ergonomics of how you do your massage.

 

[fozzyo]

If you are experiencing pain then that is injury already. The best thing I did was train with the No Hands Massage company.

Their Transforming Touch course is three days and well worth it and is excellent value for money! If you love massage, this is great because it allows you to avoid using your wrists and thumbs for most of your work so you can use them when you want to - not when you have to. And believe me you can get very deep with No Hands techniques.

I trained all the way up to Advanced Practitioner, but you only need to do the Transforming Touch to use the techniques for a complete full body massage. I can now massage all day without any aches or pains.

Mat

 

[Pinkbunny28]

My joints are hypermobile too. It will always be harder for us!

My physio told me to do Pilates which should help you too. Also she gave me some wrist exercises to do with a rubber band. Definitely go to your gp and see if you can be referred.

Also make sure you stretch wrists and fingers before and after massaging x

 

[LOUPIRIE81]

hey hunni just came across your post and i think part of the problem may be when you are applying the technique you are focusing too much on keeping your wrists and handsi locked in the same position for each techniques that it is causing stress on joint area and they are taking the brunt of the pressure. basically when applying massage your wrists and hands need to be super relaxed to perform the movements for a long period of time the pressure doesnt cum from the hands or wrists either it comes from using your body in correct postions to apply a deeper pressure for client try rotating wrists and fingers in different directions before starting to relax the hands i can do 2 hours of deep tissue massage and be fine to go and do more massage after hope this helps :biggrin:

 

[Tinxy]

My massage instructor is also an occupational therapist working for the NHS and the most common referrals she gets are massage therapists who have caused themselves back or wrist injuries...
She beat into us the importance of stance and wrist position and pressure - if you are having ANY pains you need to get referred and you need to retrain if you want to carry on massaging with something like no hands or even hot stones where you use a tool to get into the muscle.
If you don't address this now then the injury could become permanent and you are looking at a much shortened massage career I'm afraid

 

[Reb8797]

Try using so Lomi Lomi type moves in your massage using your forearms and elbows, you can get really deep using these moves and saves your wrists and thumbs.

 

[MissKatieAnn]

Hi everyone, thanks for all your feedback in answer to your questions, I don't do massage that often in the salon maybe 2 times a month! This is why I'm concerned about the pain, when I massage i do have the bed higher to save my back. I have been to the go about my joints in general as they all ache but never been referred! I don't know any arm or elbow movements on the hands on technique learnt at college whichis pretty basic. I do find I get really tired during massage especially if they want a firm pressure. How do you all have your bed position, in college I was taught to have it as high ad your hip! Off to do the full hour massage now

 

[LOUPIRIE81]

hey hun yeah i was taught that about bed in college to but wat i do is check to see if i can place my two hands on comfortatably wat massage did you learn in college it wasnt swedish by any chance? if it is you may want to learn some deep tissue moveements for manipulations using the palmluar surface of your hands ensuring wrists are relaxed and basically wring the body tissues using each hand alternatelywhen your doing this move this is when it is handy to have bed slight touch lower so you can use ure stance and weight from your body to apply the pressure can you not ask your boss for some one on one time and ask her to show you some techniques regarding this as she would be much more favourable if you approach her and asked for some guidance good luck as for the arms and elbows i wouldnt try this technique if you have never seen it done as the wrong amount of pressure can cause bruising and pain on client good luck xx

 

[hellishbellish]

If you are experiencing pain then that is injury already. The best thing I did was train with the No Hands Massage company.

Their Transforming Touch course is three days and well worth it and is excellent value for money! If you love massage, this is great because it allows you to avoid using your wrists and thumbs for most of your work so you can use them when you want to - not when you have to. And believe me you can get very deep with No Hands techniques.

I trained all the way up to Advanced Practitioner, but you only need to do the Transforming Touch to use the techniques for a complete full body massage. I can now massage all day without any aches or pains.

Mat

Ditto. If you want to do massage long term this is what you need to do.

Keep the bed low and use your body weight rather than pressing into the client to get a deep massage. Try and see if there is anything on YouTube with hands free, no hands or lomi lomi massage. Good luck.

 

[jcpark]

I agree wth Tinxy - posture and ergonomics are an essential part of learning how to massage correctly, and it sadly all too lacking in courses.
If you are feeling pain, then it will require some treatment, but for your future, I would highly recommend some proper training. If you're in London, then get yourself down to Brighton to Jing Advanced Massage Training They will teach you proper massage ergonomics and tecniques. It will transform your massage and enable you to have a long career too.