{"id":597,"date":"2021-07-26T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-07-26T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.daysmart.com\/spa\/blog\/massage-fingers\/"},"modified":"2024-12-27T21:29:48","modified_gmt":"2024-12-27T21:29:48","slug":"massage-fingers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.daysmart.com\/spa\/blog\/massage-fingers\/","title":{"rendered":"Massage Fingers: How to Give Massages Without Overworking Your Hands"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Are you struggling with hand cramps or other problems while giving massages?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important to protect your health while you work, particularly as a massage therapist. Around <\/span>72 percent of massage therapists<\/span><\/a> work as sole practitioners, which means they may not be protected by company health insurance. So, you need to do what you can to keep yourself healthy while you massage.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read on for the top ways to rest your massage fingers.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use Different Techniques to Prepare for Massaging<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mixing up your massage techniques can put less pressure on your muscles and help you massage in a way that causes fewer problems.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, you should start with the basics. Stretch your fingers, neck, back, and shoulders before you start giving a massage, and after as well. This will help prevent repetitive stress injuries or other complications from overuse. Take plenty of breaks, and make sure that you get enough rest.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preparing with heat therapy before you work can also be beneficial for keeping your arms in tiptop shape.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you finish for the day, try icing your hands to prevent inflammation in your hands. Submerging your hands in an ice bath can be a good strategy for icing your hands effectively. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And, make sure your workflow is beneficial for you. Having a table that is too low or too high can put more pressure on your muscles and bones, causing you problems in the long run.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Work Your Way Up<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re new to the world of massage, or if you\u2019ve taken a long break, you can\u2019t jump in the deep end. You\u2019ll have to work your way up, to build up the muscle tone and the stamina to do multiple massages a day, many days in a row.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try not to give massages back to back, either. Take breaks in between, especially when you\u2019re just getting used to the process and the pace. You can also do exercises on your off days in order to build up your strength and keep yourself healthy, or try out various <\/span>relaxation techniques<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Working your way up will also give you time to understand your limits. You\u2019ll know exactly how deep you can massage, and what your body will be able to do. That way, you\u2019ll be able to communicate your boundaries with your clients so that you\u2019ll both have a good experience.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll know what speed you can massage at to avoid injury for yourself while ensuring that your client gets everything that they need out of their massage experience.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Try Out Your Elbows While Giving Massages<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It sounds a little weird, but elbows can be a great way to massage if you\u2019re trying to avoid overusing your hands. Elbows can be used for deep tissue massage, although they may not be helpful when you\u2019re trying to make more delicate movements. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or, for something a little more delicate, experiment with using your forearms. Just make sure you practice before you try it so that you don\u2019t make a mistake and injury yourself or your client.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plus, these techniques may not work on different parts of the body \u2014 it\u2019s not very effective to use your elbows when giving a foot massage after all.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Try Out Different Types of Massage<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Experimenting with different types of massage that use different tools and different parts of your body can be helpful for avoiding putting too much pressure on any one part of your body. <\/span>Lomi-Lomi massage<\/span><\/a>, for example, uses more forearm work, which is great if your hands need a break from repetitive movement. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Hot stone massage is a popular form of massage that should put very little pressure on your body. Cupping therapy has gained more attention recently, but it also allows you to use cups rather than just your body in order to perform massage, which can give you a break. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or to try out something completely different, experiment with chavutti thirumal massage or ashiatsu massage. These types of massage allow you to use your feet and legs to perform massage. You\u2019ll simply have to be careful, and not put too much pressure on your clients. Balance is important when performing these types of massage.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other types of massage that you may want to alternate with include the following:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n