Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/665755
C h e c k o u t A B M P 's l a t e s t n e w s a n d b l o g p o s t s . Av a i l a b l e a t w w w. a b m p . c o m . 93 Wisely adjusting stances can help us avoid repetitive stress issues. When I stay in the same stance throughout a massage, I start to feel nagging pains. For instance, a wide stance tends to produce pain on the left side of my foot and eventually will bother my right hip. However, when I regularly switch my lead foot in a stance or switch stances entirely, I usually feel no pain. Switching stances may sound disruptive to the massage but—just like tool transitioning—as long as you're maintaining the same pressure as you switch stances, the changes are practically imperceptible. EASE THE PAIN 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. First, make and prioritize a list of your pain areas. Then, try eliminating any move or technique that causes or aggravates a pain condition. Next, check to see if your pain is related to over-relying on and/or overusing a tool. If so, get comfortable with a substitute tool. Also, if a pain area is aggravated in the middle of a stroke, try pausing and switching tools. For neck, shoulder, arm, and hand pain, make sure your table is low enough so you can lean to generate deep pressure instead of relying on your upper-body strength. Finally, don't forget to look straight ahead to keep your neck neutral and frequently switch up your stances to avoid pain from repetitive stress postures. The sooner you change the pain, the faster you can grow and enjoy your practice. Mark Liskey is a massage therapist of 24 years, teacher (www.themassageinstitute.net), and business owner (www.pressureperfectmassage.com). His blog at www.makethemostofmassage.com provides massage therapists with the extra knowledge and specific tools they need to succeed in massage. DO MORE MASSAGE AND HURT LESS