Massage therapy is a profession that requires proper self-care and body mechanics in order to prevent musculoskeletal injury from overuse. Recovery from overuse injuries requires time and patience, but with the proper care and reassessment of technique and body mechanics, full recovery is often possible.
Overuse injuries often sneak up subtly over time. The damage begins long before you experience any symptoms, so even if you feel strong and healthy now, your body mechanics may cause pain and discomfort down the road. Don't wait for the first sign of pain to reevaluate your massage techniques.
The key to injury recovery is to work smarter, not harder. You may need complete rest from labor-intensive work for a period of time in order for the injured body part to fully heal. Taking advantage of the healing power of bodywork as part of your massage self-care may help speed your recovery.
As frustrating as an injury can be, it's also an opportunity to rethink your whole approach to massage therapy. You may discover through this process of reflection a new vision and energy for bodywork that drives you to improve your massage techniques or shift into a new form of bodywork.
Improving your body mechanics includes reassessing the foundation of your approach to massage. Focus on the basics of ergonomics and body awareness. As you relearn massage techniques, open yourself up to change, even minor changes. Even if you think your technique is flawless, there may be a subtle change you can make that reduces the stress on your body and prevents reinjury.