new to massage- sore wrists

[mrsjkn]

Ive just started a VTCT Swedish/Aroma course and after college on Thursday my wrists are very sore. Ive always had problems with tender wrists - when I was a child they were very flexible and I was told a few years ago I may develope arthrisis in them.
Is it normal to get achey when learning massage? Will my joints strengthen/get used to the movement? This is only my third week.
Is there anything I could take?
I do kettlebell training which has certainly strengthened but should I continue this? Or any other exercises?

[Chipmunk]

Sorry this won't be as informative as you might hope but I realise you posted twice so thought I would take a bash!

Really in this situation it would probably be best to talk to your course head about this and see what they think, as they can likely look more at the issue and determine if it is okay. However, it is not uncommon (I was told) to feel tired and some pains after a while of massage and a few people on my course, do feel the strain.

Perhaps you should also get additional advice about your techniques of how you hold yourself/hands and if you could hold your arms/hands in another way to prevent putting as much pressure on it. I also know that my course head had explained that one good thing is that it can help to strengthen the muscles around the wrist area.

However, as I've mentioned before, I have just started a month ago my course and don't pretend to be expert, this is just what I've been told, seen for myself. The best I can do is offer the advice to speak to your tutors.

[natalie8]

I didn't experience sore wrsits, but sore back muscles until I received some pointers from a co-worker. In my experience, in the course, they don't teach you pointers like this, they only stick to the technicalities.

Let's use efflurage as an example. You should be doing long strokes, BUT you should be leaning into the move and controlling your breathing at the same time. Inhale for the prep, exhale and lean for the exertion, the same as you do when working out.

So, let's say you're doing a back. you have your legs positioned to allow you to move forward, take a breath in, then lean forward, putting your wieght into your hands and exhale as you're exerting.

Also, when using your thumbs, don't use the tips, use the first joint for the pressure. Hope that helps.

[Reiki Pixie]

Hi

Can't give you specific advise as don't know your wrists or the how the techniques are being taught. May be a course of treatments or a consultation from another therapist/therapy be in order.

All I can say is that massage is manual technique and can be physically demanding. I personally think that therapeutic movement forms like Yoga and Tai Chi for example have to be practiced regularly. Good body mechanics and self-maintenance is vital for the bodyworker, otherwise there can be a loss in vitality.

Best wishes

RP

[myarka]

I totally agree with RP, and it's essential that you develop good technique. I would advise that you take further advice about posture and the way you use your hands, arms and wrists.

We all look forward to a long massage career, learning new techniques as we develop. But importantly we must be able to practice what we preach.

Myarka

[Darryl]

Originally Posted by mrsjkn

Ive just started a VTCT Swedish/Aroma course and after college on Thursday my wrists are very sore. Ive always had problems with tender wrists - when I was a child they were very flexible and I was told a few years ago I may develope arthrisis in them.
Is it normal to get achey when learning massage? Will my joints strengthen/get used to the movement? This is only my third week.
Is there anything I could take?
I do kettlebell training which has certainly strengthened but should I continue this? Or any other exercises?

Yes you need to practice technique. Most of the pressure in massage should be coming from your body weight.

[mrsjkn]

Thanks for your replies. I was at college again last night and concentrated more or stances and moving my body with the strokes and my wrists are fine today. I think I need to try to remember to move my legs and body weight while massaging.
Thanks again

[natalie8]

That's great to hear. I never learned these tricks in my courses. It's so basic, yet not taught.

[Scooby]

I also had the same. When i started my massage diploma in June i ached after performing a massage and my wrists used to ache. Now 4 months later i have learnt how to stand, bend and move properly and all the aches and pains have gone
Hope you have solved your problem.