Massage counselors often work with clients who have physical and mental ailments, Guest Posting and they should be made ready to identify potential contraindications in order to best provide massage to this population. Often, special needs clients may not disclose medical ailments or their need for accommodation until they arrive for the appointment, 하노이 밤문화 therefore it is up to massage counselors to be well educated about situations when it is, and when it is not appropriate to provide massage services.
Special Needs
The term “special needs” is broad, and encompasses a large array of minor to severe needs ranging from mobility assistance, to cognitive impairments, to clients with medical ailments. When special needs clients make an appointment for a massage, they often times (but sometimes do not) disclose they have a bodily or mental disadvantages that may require special assistance. For massage counselors, it is best to be aware and prepared to work with clients who require additional attention and techniques to provide a quality massage while not compromising the patient’s health or safety.
Teaching Yourself
How would you work with special needs clients who require a wheelchair for mobility? How will you approach treatment with a client who has had a full skin graft on his or her back? How do you provide massage to a client with a history of seizures? For many massage counselors, the answers to these questions are often guesses at best, and teaching yourself about possible special-needs situations can help you become knowledge and prepare for any unanticipated needs and potential contraindications.
For example, special needs clients with mobility issues may not be able to assume a supine or prone position on a conventional massage table for massage. While a shiatsu massage chair is a possible alternative, some clients may not want to and be able to move from their wheelchair and must be treated in a seated position. When it is prepared with supportive pillows and bolsters, massage counselors can massage litigant while they are in a comfortable position in their own chair. Be sure to educate your client in what you do during the massage session, and why you do it. When working with special needs clients, ensuring their emotional and physical comfort should be one of your highest priorities.
Another example is working with clients with visual or hearing impairments. How will you communicate with your client if it is difficult for them to see or hear you? For clients who are hearing intoxicated, massage counselors should always know to ascertain some of mutually arranged hand signals, or have a piece of paper and coop prepared to write down questions or statements. Although special needs clients may not be able to hear you is no reason to not attempt to communicate things during the massage session like “are you too hot or too cold? inches “Is the pressure ok? inches “Are you ready to roll over? inches As with hearing impairments, massage counselors should also anticipate to modify their method of communication with special needs clients who have visual impairments. Before you begin the massage, describe the room, assist the client to the table, and explain where everything is. Do not move anything once you have described the layout, as this can be disorienting to your client. During a massage session, clearly describe all you are about to do, and give the client a moment to give his or her consent.
One more example is working with special needs clients who have medical ailments that may be uncertain to the massage counselor. In school, massage counselors are educated about working with clients with autoimmune disorders, and communicative diseases. But think about clients with full-back skin grafts? Think about litigant who unveils that she occasionally has seizures? Think about working with a terminally ill client? These special needs clients are examples of conditions that massage counselors will likely encounter in their practice, and each counselor should anticipate these concerns and prepare accordingly to provide quality massage.
Preparing Your Practice for Special Needs Clients
For a standard massage session, many massage counselors have a room set up with at least a table, a reinforce, extra sheets, candles, and a headrest. But fewer massage counselors have a closet full of bolsters of various shapes (triangular, thin, thick, circular, flat), a shiatsu massage chair to accommodate clients who cannot lie supine or prone, lights that can gray or brighten depending on a patient’s visual needs, or an erasable board to communicate with clients with hearing impairments.
Physically preparing accessories and the layout of your room for a massage session can increase the positive experience had by special needs clients exponentially. Additionally, massage counselors should think about how clients will likely get to your massage room. Are the hallways in your practice large enough to accommodate clients of all sizes, and clients in wheelchairs? Is your practice ADA compliant with stairs and a ramp to the doorstep and a method of moving from floor to another such as an elevator?
Finally, are you advertising that your massage practice is welcoming of special needs clients? By writing a post title on your website such as “I am pleased to work with all clients, and request that you inform me of any special needs prior to making your appointment. I appreciate this more time you give me to prepare your massage room, make a spot for any assistance animals, and prepare to offer a quality massage”, massage counselors can let everyone know that they provide massage for special needs clients.
Continuing Education
As previously stated, “special needs” is a broad term and involves many medical, emotional, and bodily needs. There is a wealth of printed material about providing massage to special needs clients, and these should be read by massage counselors to best prepare to accommodate all clients. Additionally, always understand that the client you are working with knows their condition better than anyone (including you). Ask them about past massage treatments, and what did and did not work for them in the past. Always be mindful that they are above all people and clients with special needs : no hassle or a challenge to overcome.
More massage schools will offer continuing education courses about taking special needs clients, and massage counselors often have the chance to learn about ADA complying, medical contraindications, contrasting options, medical massage, and much more. It is always a good idea to keep yourself well-informed to stay informed about recommendations to serve all clients. Sign up to (if you do not already) to a trade journal or newsletter about special needs massage. Counselors should read articles on reputable message boards about taking special needs clients, and always anticipate to identify potential complications in order to give the best massage possible.