Body Mechanics

Question 0

Body mechanics consideration

Answer 0

• Practitioners body should be warmed up with general aerobic activity and stretching exercises
• Practitioner should be comfortable and dressed in loose non-restrictive clothing
• practitioners body must be in good alignment with good base of support
• practitioner should take breaks between each massage
• use proper stances
• bodyweight is kept on the back of the leg and foot and the clients body is in front= leverage
• stay behind the stroke
• wrist and hands must always be relaxed
• shoulders relaxed and drop
• avoid the use of the fingers /thumbs if possible use creative use of forearms and palms of the hands
• pressure is best applied while leaning

Question 1

Body Mechanics

Answer 1

• The observation of body postures in relation to safe and efficient movement in activities of daily living
• it plays an important role in the effective delivery of massage
• It involves good posture, balance, good body positioning and the use of the strongest and largest muscles to perform the work

Question 2

Dysfunction resulting from an proper body mechanics

Answer 2

• Neck and shoulder dysfunction arise from using upper body strength to push and exerts the pressure for massage
• must use bodyweight for leverage
• Arms and hands should be relaxed while giving a massage

Question 3

Dysfunctions resulting from improper body mechanics

Answer 3

• Wrist and hands
• avoid excessive compressive force
• use proper wrist angle
• tensed wrist and hands contribute to shoulder problems
• it is important to always maintain a relaxed hand and wrist while giving a massage

Question 4

Dysfunctions resulting from improper body mechanics

Answer 4

• Low back
• must learn and practice to keep lower back in a proper alignment and neutral position
• avoid inappropriate bending static position reaching and twisting while giving a massage
• practice frequent posture shifting
• practice proper stance (horse and archer)

Question 5

Dysfunctions resulting from improper body mechanics

Answer 5

Knee

• practice frequent weight shifting from foot to foot
• most efficient standing is the screw home/ knee lock position in the last 15 degrees of extension
• Full hyper extension is to be avoided
• requires quad strength for support

Question 6

Dysfunctions resulting from improper body mechanics

Answer 6

Ankle and foot

• asymmetric standing is the most efficient standing position
• practice weight shifting from foot to the other foot
• protected by asymmetric stance frequent position change and sitting when possible

Question 7

Components of body mechanics

Answer 7

• Compressive force
• An effort exerted to give a massage in a sustained, restrained and somewhat static movement with pressure focused down
• Applications of compressive force
• it is vital to use body weight and not muscle strength
• redistribute the center of gravity to weight force
• use wide base of support
• if one feels that he or she is working to hard while giving a massage something is wrong with body mechanics

Question 8

Components of body mechanics

Answer 8

Stance foot positions

• aids and balance and allows the delivery of firmer more powerful more direct massage strokes
• allows the practitioner to lean into and out of the movements

Question 9

Components of body mechanics

Answer 9

• Horse stance
• both feet are placed in the line with the edge of the massage table
• knees are slightly bent 15°degrees
• back erect and neutral position
• shoulders are comfortably dropped and back
• breathing deep and full

Question 10

Components of body mechanics

Answer 10

Archer stance

• most commonly used position
• feet are positioned in such away that an imaginary line is drawn through the center of the foot at the arch! passes through the other foot at the mid heel and third toe
• provides a solid stable foundation for the therapist, to lean Into or pull back
• provides excellent mobility
• back should be erect/ neutral position
• shoulders are relaxed and dropped
• breathing full and deep

Question 11

Posture

Answer 11

• It is essential to conserve strength and prevent back ache problem
• to help sustain energy
• proper posture/body alignment:
• ear
• shoulder
• hip
• lateral knee
• lateral malleolous

Question 12

Components of body mechanics

Answer 12

Leverage and leaning

• the proper way to deliver force during massage
• balance point
• the point of contact between the practitioner and client
• firm pressure distributed over a wide area
• even pressure
• weight should be maintained on back foot
• massage table
• proper height
• additional considerations
• chairs
• stools
• floor mats