There are simple ways to help clients be more engaged, interested, and involved. Clients who know how to actively receive are great to work with and get even more out of their sessions.
It is easy to underestimate the personal impact of the switch from “alleviator” to “afflicted” when we’re dealing with our own injuries and physical challenges.
The sacroiliac joints (SIJs) move only slightly in the sagittal plane, but we can use this potential mobility to help with low-back, hip, gluteal, or pelvic pain, as well as pain or a feeling of stiffness in the SIJs themselves.
The sternum is a thick, strong bone that protects the heart from the outside world, but the sternum’s strength can also limit, compress, and weigh heavily on the person it belongs to.
The application of opposing techniques within a short time frame brings the recipient into a deeper awareness of self and a greater perception of balance.
To protect the head when falling forward, one massively contracts the posterior muscles of the neck, which could lead to strain or injury in other areas.
The ever-present neural background noise most of us experience but are unaware of can contribute to a continual “threat-like” effect; massage can create a relaxing experience that dials down this noise.
What happens with bones during a trauma is only one part of the picture. Sadly, the rest is often overlooked because you can’t see it on a diagnostic image.
Validation is the first step in the healing process. As practitioners, we need to affirm that what people experience is real, even if we don't understand the origins of the pain.
Three nerves that have caused the author trouble over the years include the sciatic nerve, cervical root nerves, and the superior cluneal nerve. The myoskeletal techniques outlined here can help avoid unintentionally colliding with your clients’ nerves.
The modern habit of sitting for long periods of time has caused low-back pain to be a prevalent complaint among massage clients. Using Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques and deep squatting homework can reduce muscle imbalances related to back pain.
