Massage therapist self-care: Wrist pain

[@HMMHarwood]

Along with a wrist brace at night I'm doing self forearm massage every day. Ahh the life of a therapist. Great advice as always!

[@alohaleslie9407]

Aloha MS! I've been so very grateful that my hand, wrist, and thumb problems have been minimal after 20+ years of massage. I think it's because I respect the work they do and take good care of them. Arms and elbows work really well when hands are in need of healing. :))))))

[@beaya3165]

Thx for reminding us to care for ourselves and teaching us how. ❤

[@encantevole]

Thank you! Finally I found a method that makes sense. I have been looking for you for a long time. Thank you again.

[@rosieshields]

Best video hands down on self care of the wrist !!!

[@elliealcala1897]

I love this guy, you are amazing! I wish I had you as my instructor, my wrist was hurting all day today, next to my arm, sometimes it hurts horribly during session, and we only have 5 minutes in between each session, so sometimes I dont have time to make my wrists feel better, and right now my right wrist with my flexors hurt quite bad, well I tried your techniques just now and my arm amazingly feels so much better, imma do it again tomorrow, but wow you are good, I love your videos :)

[@MassageSloth]

So glad to hear, Ellie!

[@rosieshields]

I know the feeling of that 5 min turnover 😣😣

[@Wemorethanjustrock]

Thank you Ian for providing helpful methods for relief 😩 💪🏽👈🏼

[@NunchakuClan]

Wow man this knowledge is saving me I'm a new therapist (with prior wrist injuries, slight arthritic damage) and my wrists have been really killing me, it's been hard to get feedback from a professional with your experience and this video really helps!

[@MassageSloth]

Best of luck! Join us at the forum if you need to do any troubleshooting: facebook.com/groups/1793289647583837/

[@sharleneramsubhag6420]

Thank you so much for this video. Appreciate the time and the elaborate necessary explanations!!!! Currently learning massage therapy and the timing of seeing this vid is a blessing ❤

[@meganarmstrong8425]

Okay I laughed WAY too hard at the Big Ben part. I'm so glad you posted this! My tendinitis has turned into Golfer's elbow. The orthopedist said it'll probably come back. I struggle with self care. You're more helpful than you know.

[@MassageSloth]

Sorry to hear you've been hurting! I do think this protocol could be useful, though you may want to focus your wrapping and icing on your medial epicondyle. Those slow myofascial strokes can help a bunch (though stay away from the most painful area until it calms down). Best of luck! And I'm glad you caught that joke :D

[@cassmoffettlmte-cyt6655]

Thank you! New therapist, getting use to good body mechanics--this video is VERY helpful as are ALL of your videos. Thank you!!

[@MassageSloth]

Glad to hear it, and thank you!

[@ladywunderkind9390]

i fractured my wrist when i was a kid, it's been causing a lot of pain lately and this video was pretty helpful. great vid!

[@SR-dy5zm]

Thank you from a new LMT. I just found this and I will be exploring more of your channel.

[@MT-kx6in]

Excellent, super helpful video! Thank you so much!!!

[@tmyatte8488]

What a great video! Very informative amd easy to follow!

[@risingmoonponyfarm]

Perfect timing to see this video! Thank you! Vacation here I come!

[@Dailydaisyyyyy]

I’m really sad rn because I’m just on my 3rd month of massage school and last week I gave 5 massages in one week and some lady requested 2 hrs with so much pressure I think I used about 1 hr just using my bended wrist compressing down her lower back. She kept saying she liked that so I Kept doing it and I think I messed up my wrist I’m in so much pain. I’m getting a sharp pain on my elbow to my wrist. It feels like I have 100 needles on my wrist. I’m praying to God he heals me because I really want to finish massage school and have a long career. All though I’m 41 I’m hoping I can work as a MT for at least 20 years 🙏 thank you so much for all these techniques.. I will try them all. New follower here 😊

[@MassageSloth]

I'm so sorry that happened, and if this was in a supervised clinic, I really wish they had stepped in to stop you from getting injured. You'll eventually find that you have all sorts of tools that are great for deep pressure, but the heel of the hand is just a "sometimes" tool for that application. You can see more on giving very deep pressure here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHPTdHmrqJ2kgpo And as I say in that video, you can always say, "this is as much pressure as I can provide. Will that work for you?" Either they can enjoy what you offer, or they can always cut the massage short and find deeper work elsewhere! Everybody wins and nobody gets hurt. And this is an injury - not necessarily meaning structural damage, but certainly some sensitivity, and perhaps some inflammation that needs to go down. Try the icing and wrapping, and definitely give your carpals a vacation. If your pain persists, please do see a doctor for evaluation and possible physical therapy. You will get through this, and you'll be stronger and more capable on the other side!

[@Dailydaisyyyyy]

@@MassageSloth thank you so much for responding back!! I will definitely try the icing and my wrist will definitely go on a vacation. The only thing that worries me is that I was about to start doing my externship next week. I need those hrs done by a certain day. I wish I would have seen your videos before I started massaging. Good thing I found your videos now. Last night I couldn’t sleep because of the pain on my wrist. It’s definitely not normal what I’m feeling. You think it’s possible I heal completely? I know you might now be able to answer that but from your experience do MT that get hurt do they heal?

[@MassageSloth]

A lot of massage therapists (perhaps even most!) have dealt with wrist pain and fully recovered. As for your specific injury, let me say this in the way I'd counsel a client: If the pain is gradually lessening and you have full function, then you might choose to treat it with reasonable self-care measures like in this video. If your pain persists or is interfering with your life, see a doctor for further evaluation. This might be something that could benefit from a splint, physical therapy, or other interventions. As for that impending date for your externship, please talk to your externship director, or your school director. You have an injured wrist, one that is painful to use and that keeps you up at night. You likely need an accommodation. Feel free to get back to me, and if you'd like to discuss this with a bunch of kind people, search the "massage sloth clubhouse" on Facebook.

[@sophabreel]

Thanks Ian! Your videos really keep me going. You're awesome!

[@kimjackson3521]

Thank you for the self care reminder.

[@indyw3458]

Hi Ian, thank you so much for producing this video. It has really helped with taking care of wrist issues in between massages. Self-care is so important for us therapists and our tools. Also, I really like that T-shirt.

[@teammaxd3726]

this helped my wrist all lot you are awesome

[@yatusabes7558]

I'm no longer in pain thank you so much!!!

[@Xmvw2X]

I found this works really well with office work fatigue. I find this really calms down the muscles from working long days at a computer. After time I noticed I was getting stiffer fingers and even with static stretching, it didn't seem to help a lot. It started to get hard lifting my fingers off the keyboard. I'd stretch my fingers which would help a little but never really seemed to work well for the specific problem. It wasn't until I including the muscle massage when they finally relaxed. This is something I've never done before, and it works really well.

[@MassageSloth]

Great to hear!

[@adrienneperry9085]

love your videos! I am 5 weeks away from finishing my program and have learned some great techniques that my clients in student clinic have loved! Keep up the awesome work!

[@MassageSloth]

Great to hear, thanks for the kind words, Adrienne!

[@RebelMassage]

I LOVE THE SHIRT!!!!! You rule Ian!

[@MassageSloth]

Thanks Allison ^__^

[@maryloustinson6478]

Massage Sloth to

[@dailydoseofhealth6995]

Thanks for the tips. I've been addressing my shoulders most in my self care but now I see the forearms need some regular care.

[@tiffanyflowers2768]

Hello massage sloth, I have been a massage therapist for six years this is the first time that I have experience wrist issues, at first it started off in my forearms with tightness, then moved up to my wrist and to the back of my hand with aches. Basic things like just holding my phone, using my tooth brush machine became an issue because of this I was taking time off from my injured hand (left hand) but overcompensating with my other hand that started to act up as well. I have seen your videos for self-care and how to work without using your thumbs and using palms but I haven't seen anything that has to do with not using your wrist and hands at all because I do believe I need to rest but I also have to make money since I’ve already taken a week off for my wrist problems and was doing self-care like icing and stretching but after doing 2 deep tissue massages, it kind of brought me half way to square one. I do utilize all my tools in my practice ie: fingers, knuckles, palms, forearms and elbows. I am wondering if you can release a video on self care and different working techniques for someone that is going to through something like this especially on both hands.

[@MassageSloth]

I'd like to try to crowdsource this. If you have Facebook, search for the "Massage Sloth Clubhouse" and describe your situation in as much detail as possible in a post there. Does anything in particular seem to provoke your pain? What does your massage routine look like (what modalities are you using, what hand positions are you using and for how much of the massage)? Are you doing any strengthening? For now, it's that last one I'd like to focus on. I show my stretching and self-massage routine in this video, but I don't show much in the way of strengthening. It could be enough to look up some exercises for your flexors and extensors online, but it might be wiser to get a referral to your friendly neighborhood physical therapist for a personalized stretching and strengthening routine. I know massage feels like it should be enough when it comes to building strength, but doing one activity only is a recipe for overuse problems. It's time to institute some cross-training! As always if your pain persists or worsens, do see your doctor for evaluation. Hope to see you on the forum!

[@lyncarrr]

online school has brought me here, very helpful information!!

[@MassageSloth]

Glad to help!

[@thenasascientist6022]

Your personality is awesome ! i really like that you act in a calm way infront of the camera. That makes me also calm and willing to hear more thanks for these great informations. i'll absolutly subscribe because this is what i want to hear

[@geekgirlmassagetherapy6847]

Awesome video, Ian. You rock!

[@ronamcnee735]

Thank you for sharing this is very helpful.Im suffering my wrist and thumb for a year now 🙁

[@karatrott7497]

Down to earth and approachable. Thank you!

[@luciegeraci]

Thank you so so so much for your content!!

[@VeeWiz-knowledgeoflife907]

I truly appreciate you rn ! I injured myself at work taking a thumb and wrist break for two days 🙃

[@arianegdesjardins82]

Hi Ian, It's amazing how I didn't notice all theses painfull mouvements I do in my massage!! Thanks a lot for the tips, I'll try them my best...And I want to say, also, I use Palma Christi oil on my wrists at night. Either on a little cloth wraped for the night or I only massage a little bit with the oil before bed. It is very helpfull for me.

[@medicalmassage2970]

Great video! I always learn something new with you

[@SPARTEX3945]

Hello i really love your videos! i am a physical therapist and i do about 240 min each day Lymph drain massage, and 40 min normal massage in my 480 min of daily total work minutes. i really have wrist pain the last month and the last 2 wees also numbness has also started.. i am 25 years old and i think the minutes that i have lymph drain are so much... lymph drain i think is worst than massage for the wrist. What is your opinion and what would you recommend ?

[@tBranislava]

Thank you very much! You`ve been most helpful! I intuitively massage my arms and hands as you showed, but missed the right angle and strength. Also don`t like icing, but I trust you when you say it`s needed.

[@MassageSloth]

I'm not dogmatic about ice being a must, but it has always seemed useful to me during injury recovery. Happier wrists and hands following a plunge, less aching during my evenings if I use it after work. I always keep it up for a few weeks and then forget about it, and that seems to work fine 🙂

[@Wave2680]

Thank you! This is great information!

[@mihaelamocanu4854]

Could you do a video about the position around the table when we apply massage to someone? I recently began to have back pain and I don't know how to position myself when I apply massage. Thank you!

[@reneenewman7749]

Just bloody brilliant!! Thanks

[@MassageSloth]

Thanks Renee! I appreciate your kind and thoughtful comments :)

[@MsYouANDREATube]

Before I so my stretching at night and morning, i use my pariffin dip bath. I get a pulsating underneath the wax. It feels so good. I use compression too. I need to use more ice. Love your ideas. Thank you for sharing

[@KimiW]

Great find for ME! ...you and your channel, that is. Many thanks for your wonderful disposition as you share, advise and instruct. I'll be replaying this one for sure. 2 thumbs UP :)

[@victorcano8762]

Wow this worked on my wrist thanks bro

[@jingersawyermahler3607]

Great video. Great content and tips. Thank you very much!

[@mohankrish8641]

OMG!! It really works... Thanks a lot

[@Bodysense369]

thank you so much for this video and your voice is so relaxing as you are explaining compared to all the other videos :) could please do a video on how to release index and middle finger (trigger) i have tendinitis on one wrist and now my middle finger does't want to straighten up> upon waking up opening up my hand is a challenge :( thank you in advance

[@bobbycraft1247]

Great advice as always!

[@Ed_Amy_Ady]

Thank you for the tips!

[@michellem.7010]

You are truly the king of massage therapy. l love love love watching your videos-you are an amazing teacher and have helped me so much in my career!! Many thanks for sharing your extensive knowledge with us. -Michelle from Jerusalem, Israel P.s. Is there any way to get in direct contact with you for further questions?

[@MassageSloth]

Thanks Michelle, I appreciate it! Feel free to send me a message at the Massage Sloth Facebook page: facebook.com/massagesloth/ If that's no good, check out my business email on my KZbin profile. Thanks again for the kind words :)

[@marimart3900]

Massage Sloth. Hi i been a therapist for 10 years now but i have been off and on in the field so now i just got a job and working on 10-15 clients a week more deep tissue side my fingers are feeling a little in and out numbness in my day what can help me

[@AJ-hi6kt]

Love your work as always 🙏🏼

[@ryandunn1528]

Great videos man you make massage therapists proud

[@Nivcoach]

I have added heated bamboo massage (Mu-Xing Therapy) to help my hands. It's really awesome to have the tools make the big bulky work for you.

[@shannonburns8607]

Super helpful. Thank you! What about the value of gripping a "jammed" wrist and applying light tractioning with the other hand (arm held across abdomen)?

[@maxwellswanson9657]

Hey Massage Sloth, do you ever squat and compress your forearms behind your knees inbetween hamstrings and calves?

[@MassageSloth]

I don't... but that sounds pretty rad. Gonna try that :)

[@EladChasidimMusic]

You are the best :) it really helps me

[@cindybentley5673]

Ian, I am a new therapist. I was massaging with my hand but my employer said to save my hands I needed to use my knuckles. Now I wake up with stiff, sore fingers. Do you have a video about finger pain?

[@MassageSloth]

Hey Cindy, I have a video on using your fists for massage: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqfRnpJ_Z5imobs It doesn't have self-care tips, but it might help sort out some of your pain. For finger pain I would mostly use the tips in this wrist pain video; the finger flexors and extensors are mostly extrinsic (located outside of the hand), so the stretches and self-massage here are relevant. Ice your hands every evening, do some stretching and strengthening, and see how things progress. I also recommend trying to find balance in your massage. Are you JUST using knuckles? Because that would quickly cause me to be in pain too! Use palms, use fingers, use thumbs, use forearms, and of course, use knuckles. The balance can take a while to find, and it's better to listen to your own body rather than someone who doesn't live there. Switch tools frequently, preferably before fatigue or pain is able to set in for any given part. Hey, look up our forum on Facebook by searching Massage Sloth Clubhouse and feel free to post about this there, lots of really smart peeps are there to help.

[@labronacabradley5436]

can you please do a video just like this but for the elbow?

[@MassageSloth]

Here's one that I made for clients on tennis elbow: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lWiToIKpbsmerac A similar approach, because all of the same muscles are involved. For inner elbow pain, you can focus on wrist extension instead of flexion during the myofascial holds. Best of luck!

[@labronacabradley5436]

+Massage Sloth awesome thank you ☺

[@TJ-cg8mq]

...' shoot for the moon '..... .' .. like ships in the night ..' - great imagery :). I find that poor circulation to be the case, for the most part - does that mean I need to apply warmth as apposed to " ice packs" ?!?

[@MassageSloth]

It's worth a shot, but keep in mind that cold can also increase circulation: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4843861/ (either would be good for simply soothing tight and sore muscles)

[@williamturner6192]

I don't think ships in the night touch as they pass, I guess it is more likely than touching as they pass during the day though...

[@Zano282]

hi MS! my sister suffers from rheumatoid arthritis. do you have tips for enlarged rheumatic pain in the wrist? your videos are great.

[@MassageSloth]

Thanks! And my advice is the same for pain related to RA: Work where the pain isn't. That means working with the hands and forearms (slowly, in a way that's comfortable for her) without directly targeting the wrists much at all. She may get some extra relief by slowly flexing/extending her wrists as you work, exploring her range of motion. If the RA is currently in a flare-up, do less work (make the session shorter or less intense), or wait until the area is no longer in crisis. Cheers!

[@deerphoria4314]

My outer wrist only hurts when palm is facing up and flexed down. What exercises is recommended?

[@nicolamorse686]

Hi, what tools do you recommend for massage please?

[@MassageSloth]

I actually don't use any tools, but having some hot stones ready during any given session can be a good way of giving your hands a break. Mostly I just try to use a variety of hand, fist, and forearm tools so that I never reach fatigue with any one approach. I find that the more I use my open fist, the happier my wrists are in general. If you'd like to see a video on that, you can do so here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqfRnpJ_Z5imobs

[@nicolamorse686]

@@MassageSloth thank you so much for taking the time to write back

[@lfthering]

What do you recommend for cold hands? It’s only in my right, but it is a noticeable difference and has been ongoing for months now... thanks!

[@RSMETHOD]

good method!

[@harold2hold]

Hello Ian, I have a sharp sometimes burning pain on my left side shoulder blade on the side where the scapula is. the pain radiates to my left arm down to my finger tips. usually the pain is more in the night. i applied cold compress. i do the chin tilt exercise but the pain still here. what can you suggest.

[@papamega3096]

In over here in soo much pain and I had to LISTEN TO HIS 3 MINUTE INTRO

[@stevenbrittan8416]

Could you tell me your best table hight for working on a client. I'm a tall male therapist and I was taught to keep hight at about hip hight? I know massage can be practiced on the floor as well.. Please can u add your thoughts opinion? I think your a boss masseur

[@ilyasmonia9999]

Is this for the top part of the wrist too? Over side not underside

[@MassageSloth]

It is. If you're experiencing pain in the dorsal wrist, it might be stemming from your wrist extensors. If your pain persists or worsens, consider asking your doctor for a referral to physical therapy for further evaluation and instruction.

[@laurencunningham143]

I loved the shot of Big Ben!! Hahaha

[@newchange6657]

Would u do these techniques on client with Triangular fibecartlidge complex

[@MassageSloth]

I would (any work on the forearm would be likely to help without causing pain or discomfort), and I'd also encourage such a client to either see a physical/occupational therapist who specializes in hands, or to keep up with their exercises if they have already seen one. If any of the contacts feel uncomfortable or unstable, I would cut those out of my routine.

[@alextsak9395]

Really useful video dude, i'm gonna try these technique. One question tho. I have 2 days that i'm doing self massage to my forearm and the other side because lately i found my hands really stiff especially the left one.(it might be that i hold heave stuff with it..Bad idea w/e.) And i've seen that i can move it better but now i can feel more stiffness from the other side of my my forearm (i know it as DUCK in the gym world) and at my wrist too..Is this normal? My tendons are getting better so now i can feel that stiffness that i didn't felt before?

[@belenvara2183]

thank you!

[@Saiege]

Yeessss! In the first min im already doing stuff wrong haha I use most of my weight on the carpels. Mainly because it helps me not slip on bigger clients but also because I flex my wrist almost 90 degrees when I get the the iliac crest and do this windshield wiping motion which is so bad for my wrist haha I was also doing a bunch of circumduction + pressure in the neck everyday and that's when I really messed it up. I iced and wrapped it for several days but I would leave both the ice pack and wrap on when I slept. I would even wrap it and then put a brace on top of that. Oops! haha Since eliminating those moves as much as I can the pain has subsided and I am back to normal. Though my teacher said my carpel was out of place, as it sticks out of my wrist :P

[@MassageSloth]

Great to hear about the pain subsiding! Just take your time as you learn how your body responds to different motions and what it can tolerate. And... I wouldn't worry too much about a carpal being out of place unless it's spotted on an x-ray. It may just be how your hand is shaped!

[@Saiege]

Massage Sloth Thank you so much for this video! Was definitely pertaining to me haha!

[@BVGyadav]

My wrist was fractured 8 months ago Doctor said its a hair line crack still iam getting pain... Am a volleyball player. Is it possible to play in future. Is there any chances for again refracture...

[@Rachelcampbellll]

Massage sloth, i have one question!!! are you vegan?? love the relaxing vids you make!! keep it up :)

[@notyowaifu]

5:00 if you want to get straight to of the self-care methods.

[@sue4341]

can you do a video on trigger finger.

[@MassageSloth]

This is a good idea! Not something that I feel I can "fix," but I definitely think that massage can make the dysfunction less severe/irritating.

[@sue4341]

Thank you.

[@JaaronOP]

Hey Ian I'm aaron an LMT from MA, will you have more shirts available for sale sometime soon?

[@MassageSloth]

I'm afraid they're gone for now! I've been doing one run a year, mostly because I'm uncomfortable selling things :) Connect with my Massage Sloth facebook page to keep up to date on stuff like that in the future: facebook.com/massagesloth/ Cheers!

[@sellmeyoursoul6601]

If you gonna do self massage, focus on flexor carpi ulnaris and its inscertion ;]

[@MassageSloth]

I wouldn't focus directly on or around the pisiform, especially if there's pain there (which is pretty common), but I agree that including the rest of the muscle could be useful. For those wondering, just make sure that your myofascial release stroke stays near the ulna during at least one pass, and you'll be on it.

[@JoyScout]

thank you

[@MartinRodriguez-mz2vu]

I want to become a massage therapist but I am wondering if as a guy we struggle to get a job ? I know most people might prefer a woman instead.

[@fresta5968]

Men have stronger hands. I prefer a male massage therapist. When you're in pain, you don't care who is giving the relief as long as it helps.

[@loric1909]

Where do I get a shirt like that??

[@MassageSloth]

Ha :) I usually sell them once a year, so keep an eye on the Massage Sloth facebook if you'd like stay updated. Cheers!

[@ed8149]

Ehm, how can I marry you Ian?