Body Mechanics: The application of compressive force

Biomechanics is something every massage therapist needs to consider if their career is to last.  Many practitioners who do not take this into consideration are tired after a working day and suffer from aching or sore muscles.  In time this can lead to injures though overworking of the joints and muscles.  Different modalities of massage approach this issue in various ways.  In Thai Massage the biomechanics for lifting, moving and compression is integral.  The Thai massage techniques for the application of compressive force (acupressure) can be directly applied and or adapted to table massage to provide benefits to both the therapist and client.

A major aim for any massage therapist should be to apply an appropriate compressive force to soft tissue, using the least amount of physical effort possible.  There are several things that must be considered to effectively incorporate this into practice.

Firstly we must understand that compressive force is applied most effectively at 90 degrees to the body in contact with.  In order to apply pressure it is the use of leverage that is more effective than muscle strength.  For this any practitioner can utilize their body weight to apply compressive force.  This enables smaller muscles to be rested and larger muscles do the work. 

In order to use body weight effectively it is vital to be able to maintain correct alignment of the body.  While working a therapist should maintain a neutral alignment of the spine.  Therefore a therapist should avoiding any hunching of the spine and twisting at the waist while applying compressive force. Instead to maintain a neutral alignment it is often useful to flex at the hips. It is very common for the head to drop forward leading to soreness in the neck .  Make sure the head is aligned with the spine.  Given this, massage strokes, should be performed with a full-body movement with leaning and pushing from the feet. 

It is very important to maintain straight arms when applying pressure because compressive (and tensile) forces have difficulty moving round corners. Therefore it is desirable for force to pass through the center of the joints.  This will minimise damage to upper limbs, which are not designed to be used in a weight bearing capacity, from uneven compression.  Particularly venerable are the joints of fingers wrists.  It is very important the thumbs and wrists should not apply force with a hyperextension. Also having straight arms enables the correct use of leverage, which can reduce fatigue and shaking.  

Another method employed in Thai massage is the use of different body parts.  The use of fingers, thumbs and palms can put a strain on the wrists, shoulders and so are only suitable for the application of soft pressure.   To apply greater pressure the forearms or elbows are more favourable.  Even greater pressure can be applied with the knees however some practice will be required to perform this effectively.

The positioning of the client is also an important consideration. If the massage table is too high it is likely to require a greater use of muscle strength and too low can cause an excess strain on the lower back.  Also some muscles are difficult to work in prone or supine position.  The side lying position can be very useful, it is particularly good for working on the Soas and in some cases of lower back pain.

Given these factors a massage therapist should be focused not only on the client's body but also their own throughout a session.  If at any point tension is observed, this needs to be released.  This might be a case of just relaxing.  If unbalanced it might require a movement of the feet, changing the stance or possibly changing the position completely.

Learning to effectively use your all parts of your body while working on a mat as part of your massage applications can allow you to rest your arms and hands. The structural integration of Thai massage is particularly effective at demonstrating the effective use of body mechanics to not only provide a better massage but also to maintain the health of the practitioner, which can be then applied to table massage.  A regular yoga practice is also helpful as this teaches good posture and how to self correct when out of alignment.

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Kingsley Evans is the Thai Massage Instructor at the London  School of Beauty and www.thaimassagelondon.co.uk