Tools of the Craft
Using a variety of tools can create complexity in your work and can help prevent injury.
May/June 2023
Technique
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Back on Track
Incorporating massage therapy into a comprehensive treatment plan for lumbar disc and myofascial pain can help clients address overall low-back pain, gain greater freedom of movement, and get a better quality of life.
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When You Don't Know Squat!
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.
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Toe-ing the Line of Pain
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.
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Push and Pull, Now and Then
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.
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Knee Journal
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.
Critical Thinking and Essentials
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ABMP Works to Ensure Your Seat at the Table
Government works best when it's closest to the people. To me, that means I'm here to support and empower you by gathering and digesting regulations, laws, and any proposed changes to them.
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The Plantar Foot—from Surface to Deep
Every step, hop, and jump puts immense strain on our plantar foot. Fortunately, a whole team of tough, resilient, and surprisingly sensitive tissues steps in to manage these mechanical loads.
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Separation Between Identity and Business
If you start to think of your business as an asset you manage, and not an inseparable part of your identity, you will focus on ways to make it more valuable.
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Hyaluronan Makes the Body Glide
Whenever two surfaces need to glide—like tendon sheaths, the pericardium and the heart, or two muscles along each other—hyaluronic acid ensures everything goes smoothly.
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Faces of Bodywork: Davonna Willis
4 Nineteen Education & Training was founded to support professional growth in massage therapy, while the Black Massage Therapists Facebook group and Conference were created to build community and address challenges faced by Black therapists.
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How to Better Serve Your Neurodivergent Clients
Neurodivergence describes a person whose brain functions differently from the majority of people; autism and social anxiety are neurodivergent conditions. There are a lot of undiagnosed and self-diagnosed neurodivergent people.
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The Attention Button
The massage profession continually deals with issues around sexual misconduct and harassment—from both therapists and clients. The Attention Button, produced by BEC Integrated Solutions, is an alarm system that can be used by therapists and clients to alert the front desk of an uncomfortable or dangerous situation.
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What's Wrong with Origin/Insertion Terminology?
Origin/insertion terminology creates a rigidity in thinking that can obscure the simplicity of muscle function.
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When a Client Leaves a Bad Review Online
When possible, respond quickly and politely to resolve negative online comments.
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Don't Devalue Your Work
The nature of the massage therapist and client relationship is different than the relationship between the client and other health-care providers, but that doesn't mean it's less important.
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Arthrofibrosis
Arthrofibrosis is common and can be debilitating. But because it doesn't have an agreed-upon diagnostic criteria, many professionals don't acknowledge or understand how important it is.
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Individualization Key in Massage Research Protocol
In order to closer examine how massage therapy is attuned to the needs of the client, research protocols must be flexible.
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Percussion Therapy
Handheld percussion massage tools can be an effective way for massage therapists to enjoy the rejuvenating benefits of massage for themselves.