Biomechanical assessment of massage therapists

Abstract

This study was undertaken to investigate the biomechanical demands on the low back of Massage Therapists performing typical massage therapy techniques and the nature of the associated cumulative exposure. Ten Massage Therapists performed a standardized relaxation back massage that incorporated a series of basic massage therapy techniques used in standard treatments. The 44-minute massage treatment was videotaped and a posture-matching approach was used to determine 3D peak and cumulative loads on the low back. Although the resultant peak low back loads would be considered safe in relation to current published compression and shear guidelines, the cumulative loading values were well within the ranges considered disconcerting in other health care and industrial workers. The therapists were found to assume non-neutral trunk, neck and arm postures for a significant portion of the massage, which could place these professionals at risk of cumulative musculoskeletal disorders.

Six-Month Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Assessment During Manual Lymphatic Drainage: A Physiotherapist Case Report

“…These results are in line with other results proposed for physiotherapists [20]. Albert et al (2006) reported that shoulder, trunk and elbow flexions were mild to severe for a significant portion of 44 -minute massages, which would expose physiotherapists to a risk of cumulative musculoskeletal disorders. However, these results are contrary to those proposed in other massage studies.…”

Assessments of forearm muscular demands and perceived exertions for different massage techniques of the Swedish-type massage

“…The differences in muscular demands may attribute to gender, experience (trainee versus professional), group of muscles (forearm versus upper and shoulder), and type of massage (Swedish versus Thai) performed in these two studies. For the other three studies (Albert et al 2006, Buck et al 2007, Smith et al 2009) observing the muscular loads on the massage practitioners' upper extremities and lower back, comparisons could not be made with current study since compression/shear loads and muscle activity in RMS values instead of %MVC values were reported.…”

“…By contrast, little attention has been paid to explore risk factors associated with the occurrence of WRMSDs among the massage practitioners. Massage practitioners conduct massages for a couple of hours each day and a treatment typically last between 30 minutes and 90 minutes (Albert et al, 2006;Buck et al, 2007;Jang et al, 2006). During a massage session, massage practitioners apply different manual techniques including touch, gliding, friction, kneading, vibration, and percussion to the muscles of the body to facilitate circulation, and to relieve muscular tension and musculoskeletal pain (Jang et al, 2006;Loving 1999).…”

“…To date, four studies had used electromyography (EMG) and/or biomechanical model (3D rigid link static model) to measure the muscular demands on the upper extremity and/or lower back of the massage practitioners (Albert et al, 2006;Buck et al, 2007;Smith et al, 2009;Yoopat et al, 2018). In Albert et al's (2006) study, hand forces were used as input to a 3D static biomechanical model to determine low back loads (in Newton).…”

“…The peak lumbar compression and shear loads measured for different massage techniques at the L4/L5 segment ranged from 1173.5 to 1713.9 N and 0 to 78.2 N, respectively. These loads are lower than the risk threshold values of 3400 N and 500 N for compression and shear values, respectively (Albert et al, 2006). Buck et al (2007) determined the difference in muscular demands of performing 10-minute regional back manual therapy using a massage chair and a massage table.…”