Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/68173
TEN FOR TODAY 6. IS THERE A CHANCE I MAY INJURE A CLIENT? Yes, that's why you want to practice— both on yourself and on another therapist—before you ever attempt to use a hand tool on a client. "Usually, tools allow you to use your larger proximal muscles instead of the smaller distal muscles. So you can apply more force with less effort," Greene says. "Because of that, it takes time to get used to how much force you're using. The tendency will be to go deeper and use more force than you would with thumb and fingertips. So practice, or you'll wail away on a client without being aware of it." SHOULD NOT BE USED? Absolutely. Hand tools typically are used for deep massage. Therefore, any time that deep massage is not appropriate, hand tools typically are not either. "If you're just interested in light relaxation massage, you don't need tools," Tracy says. Use common sense. Hand tools may 7. not be appropriate on elderly clients, who tend to have more fragile skin. They also should not be used in bony areas. In addition, percussive tools should never be used over any organ. "The kidneys are not very deep from the skin, and if you're pounding them, you could damage them," Greene says. "Using them over the ribs, you could break someone's rib. They're meant for large muscles, not viscera or bones." ARE THERE TIMES TOOLS MASSAGE THERAPIST BEGIN USING TOOLS RIGHT AWAY? There's nothing wrong with using tools early in your career, but many experts advise waiting a while. "Wisely, a lot of massage schools 8. want their students to learn how to use their hands first," says John Louis, founder and CEO of Acuforce International, the Illinois-based firm that makes a number of hand tools, including the Massage Star and the Acuforce. "I would say it's a good idea for new graduates to spend a little time getting their feet wet, learning the trade with their own hands. Maybe after the first year, incorporating tools are a good idea, because you do run the risk of hurting your hands after a while." SHOULD I OWN? Most hand tools are generally affordable. You can invest in several and see which ones suit you best. Some tools are more versatile than others, and some can be held in different ways, so consider that when testing a tool. 9. HOW MANY TOOLS SHOULD A NEW 10. ARE THERE SOME COMMON MISTAKES I CAN AVOID? Beware of saving your thumbs and fingers only to develop wrist and arm pain through improperly gripping a hand tool. "The hand tool will do no good if you're tightening your hand while using it," says Michael Takatsuno, founder of PUSH (Power Under Soft Hands) Therapy and director of the PUSH Therapy Center near San Francisco. PUSH Therapy uses flexible thumb-like and finger-like tools called Shemala Finger Tools, which Takatsuno imports from China for resale. "Using tools correctly can be tricky. It takes training to learn to keep your body soft so you can keep your hand soft," Takatsuno says. "It's a chain reaction. If my back and thighs get tight, the tension will work its way into my forearms and hands. So learning to use your hands correctly requires you to not have tension in your forearms and shoulders and back and core." Vibrating tools can pose special risks. "The length of time that you use them can be problematic," Greene says. "Vibration is a risk factor for injury, so prolonged use of a vibrating tool can be harmful." freelance writer. Contact her at killarneyrose@ comcast.net. Rebecca Jones is a Denver-based THUMBSAVER connect with your colleagues on massageprofessionals.com 81