Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/72121
BODY AWARENESS Decreasing the angle of the wrist joint when applying pressure is the best injury prevention strategy. As mentioned, flexion and extension are actions of the wrist joint as well. Like deviations, these actions are used countless times throughout treatment sessions. These movements are not harmful when performed occasionally and without weight bearing, but can result in injury if performed repeatedly while applying sustained pressure. Sustained pressure in the flexed or extended position puts tremendous stress on the structures of the wrist joint, and on the flexor and extensor muscles of the forearm (Images 5 and 6). Decreasing the angle of the wrist joint when applying pressure is the best injury prevention strategy. Of course, this is just a fancy way of once again saying, "Whenever possible, keep the wrist joint in a neutral position" (Image 7). Barb Frye has been a massage educator and therapist since 1990. She coordinated IBM's body mechanics program and authored Body Mechanics for Manual Therapists: A Functional Approach to Self-Care (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2010), now in its third edition. She has a massage and Feldenkrais practice at the Pluspunkt Center for Therapy and Advanced Studies near Zurich, Switzerland. Contact her at barbfrye@hotmail.com. Celebrate ABMP's 25th anniversary and you may win a refund on your membership. ABMP.com. 45