How varying ranges of movement could help prevent injury
Integrating Thai Massage Techniques into your practice can bring many benefits for both you and your clients.In this article I talk about habitual movement patterns and discovering new possibilities.
How often do we take our bodies into new and interesting places?
Do we explore new possibilities and different ways to extend beyond predictable pathways with our clients?
Our daily lives can often follow habitual patterns which maintain our comfortable ranges of movement. Even exercise can become routine and predictable. Extending beyond these habits and opening our joints to greater possibility can bring us freedom and ease within our bodies.
Injury can occur because we suddenly ask a joint to go beyond it’s comfortable movement range. Following this there can be a fear of re-injury and our nervous system can become over protective and limit movement even more.
Kinesiophobia is a fear of movement – ‘an irrational and debilitating fear of physical movement and activity – resulting from a feeling of vulnerability to a painful injury or re-injury’ NCBI
Thai massage techniques allow our clients to experience joint mobilisations in a safe and nurturing environment. Through this practice we build trust and encourage our clients to let go of any holding patterns and protective mechanisms. In this state we can explore greater ranges of motion, working with the nervous system to encourage a confidence and belief in the bodies ability.During the treatment we can assess and address any issues. Using the mobilisations to build a picture of pain free movement ranges, areas of limitations and imbalance.This can then inform strength exercises and stretches we can give our clients.Muscle energy techniques combined with these mobilisations and stretches can help to balance muscle groups, re-engage proprioception and discover areas of weakness for further rehabilitation.
What a fantastic opportunity to be able to offer our clients – greater range of movement and more confidence in their physical ability.Perhaps these benefits will extend beyond the treatment into their lives with positive benefits and a desire for better health and movement on a daily basis.