Taking care of your hands starts well before you’re in the clinic. It involves awareness of the other activities you engage in that stress your hands.
Do you pluck guitar strings? Grip gardening shears all weekend? Struggle to open large-mouthed jars? Work on a computer for hours on end? Couple these with your age and gender (muscle mass and strength decrease with age; women are more likely to suffer from musculoskeletal injuries than men)[i] and you’ve got more than enough reasons to apply the motto “Selfcare is healthcare” to your life.
#1 Take care of yourself.
- Manage your work schedule; don’t fatigue your hands by seeing more clients than your body can handle.
- If it hurts, don’t do it! Use a different technique or take a break from working.
- Get regular hand reflexology and forearm massage sessions!
- Take time to stretch and strengthen the muscles of your hands and forearms everyday.
#2 Work smarter, not harder.
- The goal of reflexology is to relax. Include other approaches to help you to accomplish that goal: sedating, nervine essential oils, warm hydrotherapy, music.
- Begin your sessions with paraffin. The warm penetrating wax will soften the tissue, allowing your digits to sink in with less effort.
- Mix it up to work points: Use a thumb or both the index and third finger together (they’re the strongest) or a knuckle.
- Set boundaries with clients. Apply only as much pressure as you can comfortably give without hurting yourself. To see tricks on adding more pressure with less effort please watch these two videos: More Pressure, No More Effort and Giving More Pressure on Points.
What sort of tricks do you employ to take care of your hands?
[i] Laura L. Tosi, Barbara D. Boyan and Adele Le. Boskey, “Does Sex Matter in Musculoskeletal Health?: The Influence of Sex and Gender on Musculoskeletal Health,” Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery, 20015; 87:1631-1647
Thank you – Such an important reminder to work smart and take care of our hands! I remember someone suggesting when I was in massage school to use really cold water to wash your hands after a session, and have found that to be very therapeutic.
I have struggled with setting boundaries when it comes to pressure – It sure doesn’t feel good to not be able to give someone the pressure they are looking for. I have given sessions way beyond my comfort level resulting in very sore hands. Not to mention that the session is very different energetically – my focus is somewhat distracted by my discomfort. So I try to remind myself of these things and to set this boundary for myself and for the client. Great post Karen, thank you!
I too love the idea of washing my hands in cold water after a session. Gets the blood moving away to allow fresh blood in.
Good for you on setting boundaries regarding your own safety. Your point about being distracted by your own discomfort is a really good one.
Thanks Katy for your comments.
Also I feel like I need to post those bullet points in my linen closet at my office!