Biomechanics of Tendon and Ligament Tissue

Updated 01-24-24 While massage therapists may focus on muscles to treat pain and injuries, tendons and ligaments, and other vital soft tissues, significantly contribute to musculoskeletal disorders. Understanding tendon and ligament anatomy, their mechanics, and how they are injured is crucial for devising effective treatments. In this issue, we explore the essential aspects of tendon … Read more

What is Trigger Finger?

Have you ever heard the term, Trigger Finger, and wondered what is really occurring? The condition gets its name for the locking and snapping motion of the finger that is caused by finger tendons binding against an adjacent retinaculum. Tendons in the hand and fingers must bend around sharp angles in the numerous joints they … Read more

Ulnar Nerve Entrapment

Introduction Upper extremity nerve compression is a frequent concern for many clients and a painful condition that can cause serious work-related challenges. Understanding these problematic conditions is crucial. Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common upper extremity neurological disorder, but ulnar nerve compression is more prevalent than realized. The ulnar nerve can be compressed in two … Read more

Hazards of Thumb Overuse

Updated 01/03/2024 Introduction Modern society requires a great deal of repetitive thumb use, especially from texting on mobile devices. A recent study investigated the frequency of text messaging among university students and found that close to half of these students were sending an average of 50 text messages per day. Many of them were experiencing … Read more

What You Should Know About Cartilage Injuries

Introduction It is common for clients to present with conditions outside the usual muscle-related injuries. We can often help these clients, but sometimes, the issue requires a referral to another healthcare provider. In this issue, we’ll look at two cartilage injuries that need care by an orthopedic physician. Massage may still play a beneficial role … Read more

Exploring Plantar Foot Pain

Introduction Plantar foot pain can be a debilitating condition that severely impacts a client’s quality of life. There are numerous causes of foot pain, and the ideal treatment for each condition varies depending on the nature of the problem. In this post we explore several potential causes of plantar foot pain. In a future post, … Read more

Simple Guide to Trigger Finger Treatment

One of the more debilitating conditions in the hand is trigger finger. In this painful condition, the tendons of the finger or thumb cannot bend or straighten smoothly due to thickening, swelling, or nodules in the tendon, its synovial sheath, or the connective tissue bands around the finger. Trigger finger can be an overuse syndrome or a … Read more

Technique Isn’t Enough: The Importance of Clinical Reasoning

Updated 11/30/2023 The Issue In the massage profession, you’ll find a wealth of courses teaching new techniques. Clearly, learning new techniques can enhance your skills and abilities, giving you more ways to address client problems. However, for orthopedic pain and injuries, the emphasis on techniques can be misleading. Even with simple conditions, the treatment technique … Read more

What is Clinical Massage?

Healthcare vs. Personal Care MassageThere are two main categories of massage therapy: personal care and healthcare massage. Personal care massages are typically offered with the primary focus on general relaxation or wellness enhancement. It may be provided in spas, salons, private massage clinics, health clubs, or other locations. Healthcare massage targets a wide range of … Read more

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