Purposefully Avoiding the Area of Pain

Often when clients are hurting they want the massage therapist to go immediately to the location of the pain and work to relieve it.

It is OUR JOB to help them understand when this is not the best protocol....and when the real cause of the pain is referred from elsewhere, or when working directly at the hurting area will inflame it more. Sometimes this can be difficult, but we should try.

That takes some study on our part as therapists - but it is worth the time and effort. It also takes some practice and some confidence through experience to accomplish. Again, worth the effort.

The link below is about foam rolling...but it is also full of useful information that pertains to our work as massage therapists. I think the article does a very good job of explaining why we may start with a client's hips and legs when they have back pain. It gives some good examples of why we may also work "purposefully AWAY" from the location of pain during part of the massage treatment. 

"The proof is in the pudding"...what works Works...simple as that. 

So what I often do in clinic with someone who has pain (and I have assessed that it is being referred from elsewhere) and they want me to work specifically on "That Painful Location"....first I briefly explain what I believe is happening as I cautiously assess the hurting area. I explain how I think it is coming from somewhere else on the body. Then when they permit me to treat the suspected 'causing point'...I treat that "causing point' for only a short time....and then ask them to assess the level of their pain in the original location. 

If their original pain is reduced, not gone, but REDUCED even the slightest amount....they usually will then say "YES, DO more of that". Because they see it is helping. That is what they want - results, less pain, more mobility, etc.

They may or may not understand HOW or WHY completely. In all seriousness, I may or may not understand completely. Are you surprised to hear me say this? 

I confess, in the beginning of my practice, fresh out of massage school, I memorized the Trigger Point illustrations - and had really very little understanding of WHY or HOW they worked. Now I have a better understanding of why and how - from much study, practice, and experience....but at first I was just trusting the research of others. And I still study and learn things...all the time.

I trust what works, whether I understand it or not....and seek to then achieve an understanding of it as I watch it work. Your clients will trust what works also. I encourage you to teach them and show them what works.

Some people will say not to admit what you do not know. Well, that is fine for them...life is full of choices. But for me...."Not Knowing" is just a place we all are until we "Do Know." So I just admit it as a part of the journey - and continue onward to find it out. I do not want to be hindered by saying I am somewhere when I am elsewhere....I do not know it all - but tomorrow I will know more.

I want to be effective and constantly increasing in effectiveness. Admission of my limitations allows me to seek to expand my knowledge...it provokes a search.

Additionally, I am continually thankful that others have done research, practice, have written books, taught classes, and are willing to share knowledge and expertise with us. 

AND I am thankful that:
IF IT WORKS IT WORKS - even if we do not understand how. 

Have a great day everyone.  

​Here is that Link:  http://fitness.mercola.com/…/27/5-foam-rolling-mistakes.aspx