Massage & Bodywork

JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2023

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There are many contacts to use when performing massage therapy. These range from thumb pad and finger pads as the smaller contacts, to elbow and forearm as the usual larger contacts (Images 1A-1D). The advantage of smaller contacts is they are the most sensitive and best at assessing tissue texture and tone; they are also better at reaching deeper into tissue. The disadvantage of using smaller contacts is the joints are smaller and therefore more vulnerable to injury with repeated use. They also cover less area of the client's body and tend to feel a bit pokey to the client. The advantage of larger contacts is the joints are larger and therefore stronger and less vulnerable to injury; also, being larger, they cover more surface area of the client's body. However, they are not as sensitive as the smaller contacts. Also, the olecranon process of the elbow and the medial shaft of the ulna are hard and bony and can be uncomfortable for the client, especially when used on bony areas of the client's body (where bone is close or immediately deep to the skin). So, I would like us to consider the palm as a contact when doing massage therapy. PALM Strong, Comfortable, and Underutilized CONSIDER THE By Dr. Joe Muscolino 46 m a s s a g e & b o d y wo r k j a n u a r y/ fe b r u a r y 2 0 2 3

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