As a massage therapist, you understand the physical demands of the job. Day in and day out, you pour your energy into healing others, but what about taking care of yourself? Many therapists face career-threatening injuries due to repetitive strain and poor body mechanics. If you’re looking for a way to prolong your career and massage pain-free, the solution might be simpler than you think – and it involves the very tool you use every day: your massage table. Could your massage table be the ultimate career saver massage tool? For many therapists, the answer is a resounding yes.
How My Massage Table Became My Career Saver
Like many therapists, I experienced the domino effect of pain. Trying to alleviate neck and elbow strain, I overworked my shoulders. Then, in an attempt to protect my shoulders, my back started to suffer. It felt like a never-ending cycle, pushing me to the brink of abandoning my massage career. Every session was a gamble, and pain became my constant companion. I was ready to give up.
But then, in a moment of frustration and desperation, I discovered something transformative about my massage table: I could lean into it. This simple act changed everything. Suddenly, my back felt relief, and I could once again employ the techniques that had previously saved my shoulders, elbow, and neck.
Why did leaning work wonders for my back? Because it reduced the strain of holding myself upright and allowed my spine to decompress from the typical “massage-hunchback” posture we often adopt. It was a revelation.
Let me share the journey of how I stumbled upon this career-saving technique and how you can integrate it into your practice to protect your body and extend your career.
From Pain to Pain-Free: My Experiment
My journey to pain-free massage wasn’t a straight path. Years into my career, I faced a trifecta of diagnoses: Cubital Tunnel Syndrome, cervical radiculopathy, and shoulder instability. Each massage session became a source of pain, and the discomfort lingered long after my clients left. I knew I had to make a change, or my career was in jeopardy.
Driven by the desire to save my livelihood, I embarked on a personal experiment with three simple rules:
- Identify Pain Triggers: Pinpoint the specific movements and techniques that caused me pain during massage.
- Eliminate Pain-Causing Actions: Stop performing the actions that triggered or exacerbated my pain.
- Find Pain-Free Alternatives: Develop new techniques and approaches to achieve the same therapeutic results without pain.
My first target was elbow pain from Cubital Tunnel Syndrome, often intertwined with pain radiating from my neck due to cervical radiculopathy. The culprit was clear: forearm massage. While effective for deep pressure work, forearm techniques were wreaking havoc on my elbow and neck. So, forearms were out.
This was a significant loss, as forearms were a staple in my deep tissue work. I needed a replacement. Fists seemed like a viable option, but using them at my usual table height strained my unstable shoulder. Knees? The thought crossed my mind, but luckily, I had a better idea.
I was already familiar with the concept of leaning – using body weight to generate pressure. Leaning was fundamental to my forearm work and even my massage tool techniques.
The solution was to lower the massage table. By reducing the table height, I could effectively lean with my body weight and use my fists without straining my upper body.
It worked perfectly. My body weight did the work, eliminating strain on my upper body, and my shoulders and neck rejoiced. However, a new issue emerged. Working on a low table started to bother my back, especially during lighter pressure massages. When less pressure was needed, I couldn’t lean as much, forcing my back and legs to compensate.
Driven by the desire for efficient, effective, and pain-free massage (aka, laziness with a purpose), my leg instinctively sought support from the side of the massage table.
This simple act of leaning my leg against the table provided extra support, reducing back strain and allowing me to shift positions, breaking free from the dreaded massage-hunchback posture.
Leaning into the massage table became a cornerstone of my body mechanics. It’s so integral that if you were to unexpectedly pull the table away while I was working, I’d likely fall flat on my face!
Integrating Leaning into Your Massage Practice: Key Principles
Ready to explore how leaning can transform your massage practice and potentially save your career? Here’s what you need to know:
1. Lean with All Sides of Your Legs
You can utilize various parts of your legs – front, back, side, inside – to lean against the massage table for support. Even a slight lean can provide enough stability to alleviate the massage hunchback.
Here I’m leaning into the table using the inside of my left leg.
In this next picture I’m leaning into the table with the side of my leg.
Here’s classic leaning into the front of a leg.
And here’s leaning into the back of a leg(s).
2. Plank for Deeper Pressure
When delivering deep pressure, think “plank.” You’ll need to transfer more weight onto the client rather than the table. Your contact leg, leaning into the table, will stabilize your plank, allowing for controlled deep pressure without excessive strain. Don’t worry about maintaining a perfectly vertical posture when leaning for deep pressure.
Here’s what leaning into the table delivering deep pressure looks like:
3. Straighten Up for Light to Medium Pressure and One-Handed Techniques
For light to medium pressure massage or when using one hand, widen your stance. This prevents excessive weight transfer to the client. The combination of reduced pressure needs and table support provides an excellent opportunity to straighten your back and decompress your spine.
Is It Time for a Change?
I confess, I strive for efficiency and ease in the massage room. Gym workouts are for exertion; massage sessions should not be. That’s why I’m a devoted advocate for leaning. It’s transformed my practice and saved my body from unnecessary wear and tear.
To delve deeper into effortless massage techniques, explore Minimal Effort Massage.
And if you’re ready to commit to pain-free massage and safeguard your career, consider my online home-study course (3 CEUs): How to do Deep Pressure Without Hurting Yourself. This course is built upon my personal journey of overcoming career-ending injuries through practical, body-friendly techniques.
Lean on your table, lean into a longer, healthier career.
