Can Massage Around Knee Joints Reduce Fall Risk in Older Clients?
Falling is a prevalent issue among older adults. Often, falls may lead to injuries like fractures and strains, though more serious injuries can have life-changing consequences, like loss of independence. As many massage therapists know, proprioception (the ability to sense the body’s position in space) plays a crucial role in maintaining balance, but that ability diminishes over time, ultimately increasing the risk of falling.
A study published in the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (volume 17, number 2) investigated whether stimulating massage can improve knee joint proprioception in older men, potentially enhancing balance and reducing fall risk.
The study involved two phases—massage and rest—and surveyed 20 healthy men (that is, those meeting certain physical criteria who did not have fractures, musculoskeletal pain, or who were not participating in physical therapy or sedative drug use at the time of the study). All participants were over the age of 65. Each participant underwent massage and rest sessions, which were separated by a one-week washout period. The massage involved deep effleurage, tapotement, and petrissage techniques to muscles surrounding the knee for 10 minutes. In the rest sessions, participants laid comfortably for 10 minutes.
Researchers measured absolute error (AE), constant error (CE), and variable error (VE) in replicating a target knee extension angle of negative-65 degrees, with participants assessed preintervention and postintervention using a motion analyzer system. The results showed significant improvement in AE (the accuracy of joint repositioning) following massage sessions.
The resulting implications suggest that stimulating massage may be a beneficial intervention method to improve proprioception in healthy older men, which could potentially reduce fall risk. More research is needed and encouraged to explore more general, older adult populations, especially those with an increased fall risk.
However, massage therapists can incorporate deep effleurage in their practice with clients who may benefit from it. Providing the types of massage used in this study in areas where it may be underserved—such as the area surrounding the knee—may help reduce fall risk in some older clients. And while the study assessed the immediate effects of a single 10-minute session, it suggests potential benefits from repetition, which should be easy enough for massage therapists to incorporate into regular sessions. By integrating these indications into their practice, massage therapists can effectively use their work to support the proprioceptive health and overall well-being of their older adult clients.
Read the full study at https://ijtmb.org/index.php/ijtmb/issue/view/89.
The 2024 Black Massage Therapist Conference
The Black Massage Therapist Conference returns for its second year October 8–9, with programming centered around building relationships. ABMP will be represented by CEO and President Les Sweeney and Director of Membership Outreach Taffie Lewis, who are eager to learn, network, and engage in meaningful conversations that inform our association, our content, and our members.
With the success of its debut in 2023, the Black Massage Therapist Conference continues to grow and inspire therapists from across the country with keynote speakers, lectures, and hands-on workshops from top names in the field, including Benny Vaughn, Davonna Willis, and Monique Blake.
The conference aims to provide a platform for business leaders to share their insights and experiences so attendees feel empowered to take their businesses to the next level. The conference features a mix of informative sessions and networking opportunities designed to educate and invite powerful connections with like-minded professionals.
Learn more about the Black Massage Therapist Conference and register today at blackmassagetherapist.com.
Hellerwork
hel-uhr-wuhrk
NOUN
Movement education and deep-tissue bodywork are the major components of Hellerwork, named for founder Joseph Heller. Emphasizing vertical realignment of the body and release of chronic stress and tension, Hellerwork involves 11 sessions of 1.5 hours each. In each session, one hour is devoted to bodywork and 30 minutes to movement therapy. The therapist also uses dialogue to explore emotional factors that may contribute to tension in the client’s physical makeup.
Definition from MassageTherapy.com, an ABMP website.
Demand for Watsu Practitioners Could Increase
A recent piece in Condé Nast Traveler suggests Watsu therapy is reentering the spotlight on a global scale. The article, which details the water-and-shiatsu practice, goes on to list wellness destinations around the world that are implementing Watsu therapy into service menus. Hotels and spas in the US, Mexico, India, and Thailand (among others) have introduced Watsu therapy as a wellness option for resort guests, who in turn have been extremely receptive to and supportive of the treatment. Celebrities have even shared their experiences at such resorts with their mass followings, generating even more buzz.
This begs the question: Will the world soon need more Watsu practitioners? If it continues to gain in popularity, then the answer is probably. For now, it’s a matter of observing this resurgence to see how Watsu continues to trend.
To read the full article, visit cntraveler.com.
The ABMP Podcast Network
Should I Take Tips?
Gratuities are customary in massage businesses, but should they be? Business or Pressure host Allissa Haines covers the factors to consider and the steps to implement a no-gratuities policy.
abmp.com/podcasts/ep-449-should-i-take-tips-business-or-pressure-allissa-haines
The ABMP CE Center
Structural Dynamics Course Series
Learn a structural dynamics approach to massage and bodywork techniques through these popular ABMP CE video courses from Ann and Lynn Teachworth of Trunamics. These courses look at common pain dysfunctions from a full-body perspective and combine anatomy, embodiment practices, functional biomechanics, and hands-on techniques to give practitioners the tools they need to provide effective sessions.
- Structural Dynamics of Headache Pain
- Structural Dynamics of Lower-Back Pain
- Structural Dynamics of Upper-Back Pain
ABMP members can learn and earn free CE on techniques, anatomy, ethics, business, and self-care. Nonmembers can purchase courses for $30 or less.
Jamu
ja-moo
NOUN
Jamu massage is a Balinese-inspired modality based on Indian, Chinese, and European techniques involving acupressure, rolling motions, long strokes, and percussion-like staccato drumming. Beginning slowly and building to a faster pace, Jamu massage is designed to energize and increase blood circulation.
Definition from MassageTherapy.com, an ABMP website.