7 Top Tips for Massage Therapists to Prevent Sore Thumbs

As a Massage Therapist, your fingers and thumbs are important.  They work hard for you and provide your client's tense, knotted muscles with much 'kneaded' (sorry about the pun) release of tension.  However, one of the problems a successful Massage Therapist will encounter is sore thumbs.  The repetitive action of massage can cause sore thumbs and can be a real problem for some therapists.  

However, there are some simple but very effective solutions that will prevent this problem.

Here are our 7 Top Tips to help prevent sore thumbs:

1. Practice makes perfect - as a new Massage Therapist, it's almost certain that at some point you'll find yourself with sore aching thumbs.  Don't panic!  As you gain more experience, you'll find that your hands become much stronger and more flexible.

2. As with any form of exercise, it's always a good idea to warm up and stretch.  Warm your hands with a little warmed lotion and use gentle stretching motions to prepare your hands for the work ahead - this will benefit both you and your massage client.  Ensure that you stretch your arms, wrists and fingers. Try to reduce any stress you're feeling in your own shoulders, neck and upper body.

1. 3. Consider using a ceramic thumb saving tool.  We stock the Ceramic Wonder Thumbs Up Tool which is hand-crafted from natural and environmentally safe clay and glaze.  It's lightweight and durable and you can use it either cold or heated.

4. Correct posture is a must! Take care that you're not leaning over your massage client awkwardly or causing strain in your lower back.  You should feel comfortable and 'centered' with relaxed shoulders and arms.  

5. Massage therapy isn't just about using your fingers and thumbs to apply pressure. Make sure that you consider alternating between using the outside edges of your hands, knuckles and your elbows.  Some Massage Therapists even use their feet. 

 

6. Remember to keep your thumbs in a neutral position and in line with your forearms. Using your bodyweight to distribute pressure will help prevent soreness in your thumbs.

7. Hot stone massage is very popular and provides a relaxing therapy treatment for your client.  The stones are used as an extension of your own hands.  The edges of the stones can be used to work out tension in the neck and shoulder area without making your thumbs sore. Longer shaped stones can be used to work on specific areas such as the scapular or ease tension at the base of the back.  They can also be used in a 'scooping' motion in the clavicle area.

We have a range of Massage Therapy Products & Accessories that you can purchase directly from our online store including:

Massage Tables
Massage Lotions
Aromatherapy
Powered Massage Tools
Massage Sheets & Linens 

Comments

[Aromatherapy benefits]

These are best tips for massage, It is awesome !! I have taken spa from a spa center that was so worst experience of my life.

[Basalt Stone Therapy Massage san diego]

Sore thumbs are a very common problems of the massage therapist. I hope your tips may solve their problem .

[nj back pain treatment]

Thanks for the great post on your blog, it really gives me an insight on this topic.

[3B Scientific Health]

We're so glad that you found this blog post useful.

Massage Therapists often find that sore thumbs can be quite debilitating but, by using careful, sensible steps with the right tools, this troublesome condition can be avoided.

Wishing you every success in your massage therapy practice.

Kind regards from the 3B Scientific Health & Therapy Team.

[Edilberto Durano]

Your tips are greatly appreciated! I thank you so much for posting this article. As a small time massage therapist this post would be a big help for me and in my profession.
Ed of Bodyscape.biz