Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/665755
STR ATEGY #5 Change Positions Massage, like dentistry, has repetitive positions built into it. For instance, a dentist looks down at the patient when working and, typically, so does a massage therapist. Constantly looking down can take a toll on, or aggravate, neck and back conditions, like it did with me. But there is a big difference between repetitive positions in dentistry and massage therapy: MTs can change positions, whereas dentists are locked into positions. For instance, a massage therapist doesn't actually have to look down all the time to do her work. Instead, she can keep her neck neutral by looking straight ahead. My neck pain was practically eliminated through 92 m a s s a g e & b o d y w o r k m a y / j u n e 2 0 1 6 Pain doesn't mean you have to stop doing massage or even that you've reached your massage limit. It means adjustments need to be made. the combination of maintaining a neutral neck for most of a massage and lowering the table when doing deep pressure. Looking straight ahead when giving a massage may seem awkward at first, but if you stick with it, you'll experience an additional benefit besides pain reduction: you'll improve your palpation skills. Why? Because not looking at the tissue under your fingertips forces you to pay closer attention to what's under your fingertips. My only words of caution are to choose carefully when you decide not to look down. Looking straight ahead can look strange to a supine client with his eyes open, and if you're working around the waist or chest you don't want to errantly stray beyond an ethical boundary.