Muscular and Postural Demands of Using a Massage Chair and Massage Table

F, Buck; Kuruganti, Usha; Albert, Wayne J.; Babineau, Melanie; Orser, Sarah; Currie-Jackson, Nadine

doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2007.04.003

Cited by 8 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Ample research outcomes support the need for a deeper understanding of risk factor dynamics in massage therapy work tasks in order to adequately establish injury prevention measures. (9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15) . Two specific studies contained information that can be applied to massage therapy educational framework.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving Body Mechanics Using Experiential Learning and Ergonomic Tools in Massage Therapy Education

Anderson

ba²,

Lmt³

et al. 2018

IJTMB

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Introduction: Current industry data suggest that the rise in occupational injuries for massage therapists is contributing to a significant number leaving the profession after a few short years. While many massage therapists are taught meth-ods for proper body mechanics and self-care within their career educational programs, there are few consistencies in the theoretical approaches to these concepts, even though it is a required component in massage therapy career training.Purpose: This study demonstrates a measurable and effective teaching method using a combination of experiential and transformative learning theory models and authentic ergonomics measurement tools to teach effective body mechanics in entry level career training that may be sustainable for new massage therapists entering the field. Methods: Four cohorts of students (N = 17) enrolled in a kinesiology course for massage thera-pists were studied using a mixed-methods time series experimental design. A pre- and post-test was conducted by utilizing two industry standard ergo-nomics risk factor assessment tools as measurable data for score comparison, to denote improvements in each student’s risk factor tendencies and provide evidentiary support of learning transfer. Between the pre- and post-test, students participated in a series of experiential learning exercises within class sessions during the semester and completed two reflection journals discussing their experiences. Results: The results showed that there was a statistically significant reduction in ergonomics risk factor scores for all students studied. Conclusion: The success of this study demon-strates that the instructional design using expe-riential and transformative educational theory and general ergonomics concepts is an effective approach to teaching proper body mechanics to massage therapy students which can be adopted into universally accepted curriculum on many levels and could eventually contribute to reduction of occupational injury in the future.

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Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving Body Mechanics Using Experiential Learning and Ergonomic Tools in Massage Therapy Education

Anderson

ba²,

Lmt³

et al. 2018

IJTMB

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“…It is therefore not surprising to see that 26% of therapists had experienced an occupational health issue or injury arising from delivering MT-and in the regions reported by Buck and colleagues (43) as being dominant in MT: that is, back and upper extremities. It was not the aim of the current survey to fully investigate therapist injuries resulting from the job, and questions relating to self-care and maintenance, and proper massage therapist posture were therefore not asked.…”

Section: Massage Therapy As An Occupationmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Descriptive Study of the Practice Patterns of Massage New Zealand Massage Therapists

Smith

Sullivan²,

Baxter³

2011

IJTMB

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Background: Massage therapy has grown in popularity, yet little is known globally or in New Zealand about massage therapists and their practices.Purpose and Setting: The aims of this study were to describe the practice patterns of trained Massage New Zealand massage therapists in New Zealand private practice, with regard to therapist characteristics; practice modes and settings, and therapy characteristics; referral patterns; and massage therapy as an occupation.Research Design and Participants: A survey questionnaire was mailed to 66 trained massage therapist members of Massage New Zealand who were recruiting massage clients for a concurrent study of massage therapy culture.Results: Most massage therapists were women (83%), NZ European (76%), and holders of a massage diploma qualification (89%). Massage therapy was both a full-(58%) and part-time (42%) occupation, with the practice of massage therapy being the only source of employment for 70% of therapists. Nearly all therapists (94%) practiced massage for more than 40 weeks in the year, providing a median of 16 -20 hours of direct client care per week. Most massage therapists worked in a "solo practice" (58%) and used a wide and active referral network. Almost all therapists treated musculoskeletal symptoms: the most common client issues or conditions treated were back pain/problem (99%), neck/shoulder pain/problem (99%), headache or migraine (99%), relaxation and stress reduction (96%), and regular recovery or maintenance massage (89%). The most frequent client fee per treatment was NZ$60 per hour in a clinic and NZ$1 per minute at a sports event or in the workplace. Therapeutic massage, relaxation massage, sports massage, and trigger-point therapy were the most common styles of massage therapy offered. Nearly all massage therapists (99%) undertook client assessment; 95% typically provided self-care recommendations; and 32% combined other complementary and alternative medicine therapies with their massage consultations.Conclusions: This study provides new information about the practice of massage therapy by trained massage therapists. It will help to inform the massage industry and other health care providers, potential funders, and policymakers about the provision of massage therapy in the NZ health care system.

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“…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).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…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).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Sung¹,

Liu²

2022

Int. J. Appl. Sci. Eng.

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Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) in massage practitioners is prevalent due to physically demanding nature of massage practice. Given that changes in massage techniques may occur over the course of a day to accommodate for fatigued muscles and the use of proper techniques may also be compromised with fatigue to the musculature of the upper extremity, research regarded the effects of different massage techniques on muscular demands needed to be further explored. In this study, nine male participants performed four Swedish-type massage techniques including effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, and friction on a same client. The muscular demands for different techniques were assessed with surface EMG positioned over four forearm muscles of dominant arm including flexor digitorum superficialis, flexor carpi radialis, extensor carpi radialis longus, and extensor digitorum. Perceived exertions were also collected for different techniques using Borg CR 10 scale. The results indicated that there are significant differences among forearm muscle and massage technique on muscular demands. Similar massage technique effects on perceived exertions were also observed in current study. In addition, there is statistically significant interaction effect between forearm muscle and massage technique on muscular demands. To reduce muscular load which is a potential risk factor associated with the development of WRMSDs based on the results of this study, the time to perform friction and tapotement techniques during a massage session could be extended to prevent overexertion of muscular demands required for the petrissage and effleurage techniques.

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Muscular and Postural Demands of Using a Massage Chair and Massage Table

Cited by 8 publications

References 23 publications

Improving Body Mechanics Using Experiential Learning and Ergonomic Tools in Massage Therapy Education

Improving Body Mechanics Using Experiential Learning and Ergonomic Tools in Massage Therapy Education

A Descriptive Study of the Practice Patterns of Massage New Zealand Massage Therapists

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

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