Body Mechanics

Proper alignment of the shoulders when providing massage means:

The shoulders are held in a relaxed position and the chest is expanded so that the shoulders do not roll forward. Avoid leaning directly on top of a stroke as this may stress the glenohumeral joint. Instead apply strokes at a slight angle

Define the term: Sleep schedule

The time, duration, and quality of restful sleep

If a practitioner tilts his/her head to one side while regularly looking down at the client while applying massage, he/she ay develop:

Torticollis

Define the term: Warm up

Practicing gentle, gradual movements at first before engaging in more intense physical exertion

Define the term: Bow stance

A position in which one foot is in front of the other with the weight centered between the two feet

Define the term: Horse stance

A position in which the therapist's feet are shoulder width apart and facing the same direction

Define the term: Centeredness

A state of focus and calm that allows a therapist to perform a client-centered massage and maintain his/her own body mechanics

Define the term: Stances

A term describing the position of feet, knees, and hips during the application of massage

Define the term: Burnout

Accumulated stress that leaves a person feeling incapable of performing professional duties

Proactive self care on the job includes:

Adjusting the table to the proper height Drinking water between sessions Eating regularly Stretching before and after sessions Grounding and centering before sessions Icing the hands and forearms between sessions Using warm applications on the neck and shoulders to reduce tension Paying attention to pain and making adjustments immediately

Define the term: Physical fitness

Any activities that promote strength, flexibility, and postural awareness for overall well being

Define the term: self care

Any activity that restores a massage therapist's sense of well being

Define the term: Stress reduction(therapist)

Any positive activity that reduces the amount of stress a therapist feels from work exhaustion

Define the term: Use of body weight

Applying pressure to a client's tissues by leaning body weight into a stroke

The archer, bow, or lunge stance is also known as an:

Asymmetric stance

Proper structural alignment of the arms and wrists when providing massage means:

Avoiding hyperextension of the elbow Keeping the arms close to the body Keeping wrists relaxed and in a neutral position

The use of proper body movements to prevent and correct posture problems and injuries, reduce stress, and enhance physical capability is called:

Body mechanics

Define the term Structural alignment

Correct alignment of body parts during the application of massage

Proper structural alignment of the fingers and thumbs when providing massage means:

Fingers and thumbs should be straight but not hyperextended. With direct pressure techniques, brace the thumb with the fingers or reinforce one thumb with the other. Avoid the use of the fingers for direct pressure techniques

Define the term: Cardiovascular fitness

Fitness that centers on elevating the heart rate to promote health of the heart lungs and circulatory system

Define the term: Repetitive stress injury

Injury that results from wear and tear on the body and its often related to repetitive job tasks

When applying more pressure with a stroke:

Keep the work close to your body( dont let your arms get too far out from the body)

Proper use of body weight during massage means:

Keeping the work close to your body keeping your body properly aligned, and dropping the weight into the client's tissue( DONT use strength)

If a practitioner applies strokes that regularly require him/her to use twisting motions of the forearm and wrist, as well as extensive lifting and grasping motions, he/she may develop:

Lateral epicondylitis

When sitting or standing during the massage, avoid this so as not to strain the neck:

Looking down

If a practitioner experiences pain and tension in her neck and shoulders after a day of work, what adjustment may help ease her pain?

Lowering the table height

If a practitioner applies strokes that regularly require him/her to use repeated pronation of the forearm and wrist flexion, he/she is likely to develop:

Medial epicondylitis

Repeated hyperextension or hyperflexion of the wrists during the application of massage strokes:

Might lead to carpal tunnel injury

When you apply pressure with your thumbs, palms, or fists

Minimize the angle of your wrists to reduce the potential for injury

To avoid injury due to repetitive actions and overuse, incorporate plenty of this into the massage routine:

Movement and variety

Define the term: Body awareness

Paying attention to the body's posture, alignment, mechanics, and the us of breath to remain centered during a massage

Define the term: Strength

Physical force or vigor; it's improved with exercise in which muscle contraction is resisted by an outside force to improve muscle tone and increase joint stability

Bending when applying massage strokes:

Places your body in a weakened position and places stress on the lower back

Components of good health for massage therapists include:

Proper nutrition Proper amounts of sleep Activities to manage and reduce stress Overall fitness including good posture, flexibility, and stamina

If a practitioner experiences fatigue and tension in her low back, how can she improve her body mechanics?

Raise the massage table

Carpal tunnel syndrome may occur in practitioners who:

Regularly apply massage strokes with hyperflexed or hyperextended wrists

Rotator cuff tendinitis occurs when practitioners:

Regularly lean directly over their arm while doing deep work

Medial epicondylitis occurs when practitioners:

Regularly use strokes that cause repeated pronation of the forearm and wrist flexion

When using your thumb to apply a stroke:

Reinforce one thumb with the other

To lift a limb during range of motion techniques:

Sink lower into a lunge position and grip the limb firmly, holding it close to your body

The ability to perform a full days work with several clients without tiring or compensating with poor body mechanics is referred to as:

Stamina

Proper body mechanics include:

Structural alignment, technique variety, the proper use of breath, and the proper use of body weight

If the practitioner is performing bilateral compression strokes to a client's pectoral muscles, which is the most effective stance?

Symmetrical stance

Proper practitioner breathing during massage means:

Taking full, deep, and even breaths while providing massage; exhaling when applying a stroke that moves away from the body and inhaling when providing a stroke that comes back toward the body

Define the term: Range of motion

The amount of movement possible within a given joint; also, massage techniques that involve optimizing the movement

Define the term: Personal health

The combined effects of nutrition, exercise, sleep, and lifestyle habits on a person's overall well being

When using a symmetrical stance:

The feet are placed shoulder width apart with the toes pointing toward the client

An asymmetrical stance is best used when:

The massage strokes travel the length of the body

A symmetrical stance is best used when:

The massage work is directly in front of you(doing tapotement or petrissage on the legs)

Define the term: Flexibility

The range of motion possible at a given joint or series of joints

Define the term Nutrition

The role that food plays in overall health and wellness

Define the term: Body mechanics

The use of proper body movements to prevent injuries, reduce stress and enhance physical capability for therapists

Proper structural alignment of the feet, knees, and hips when providing massage means:

The weight is balanced between the legs, the knees are slightly bent, and the hips and feet face the direction of the stroke

If a practitioner experiences a feeling of fullness in the forearm of the upper extremity, or numbness and decreased motor control. or shooting pain, he/she may be developing

Thoracic outlet syndrome

Before a massage, practitioners often ground themselves. This means:

To find a relaxed and connected state of being

Before massage, practitioners often center themselves. This means:

To find an emotional, mental, and physical core

Job pressures that lead to therapist injury include:

Too many clients, too little time between massages, too few days off, and the necessity of transporting massage equipment for on site work.

When applying compression strokes or sustained direct pressure:

Use the forearm or elbow if possible to avoid injury

Define the term: Use of breath

Various techniques for regulating and being aware of the breath during a massage

When you lean directly over the top of a stroke:

You may expose your glenohumeral joint to undue stress