Massage Therapy: Techniques & Effects
Choose techniques thoughtfully; explain effects with care.
Lesson 10 of 15
Body Mechanics and Stances
Sound body mechanics help therapists sustain a career and maintain control of pressure. Use the larger body and a stable base rather than relying on small joints or prolonged thumb force. Adapt stance and table height as the target area changes.
Key points
- Stand with feet stable and weight distributed; staggered stance permits controlled weight shift.
- Initiate pressure from body weight and movement through the legs and hips while keeping joints aligned.
- Keep wrists near neutral and vary hand contacts to reduce repetitive strain.
- Move your feet to follow the stroke instead of twisting the trunk under load.
- Use comfortable pressure, take breaks, and seek care early for persistent occupational pain.
Key terms
- Staggered stance
- Standing with one foot ahead of the other, like a lunge.
- Neutral wrist
- Wrist kept straight in line with the forearm to avoid strain.
- Weight transfer
- Shifting body weight from the legs to apply pressure instead of pushing with the arms.
- Base of support
- The area beneath the feet that keeps the body stable.
- Ergonomics
- Arranging work and posture to reduce physical strain.
- Repetitive strain
- Injury from doing the same motion over and over.
Memory tip
STEP: Stable base, Transfer weight, Elbows soft, Pivot with feet.
Clinical note
Pain or numbness in the therapist's hands is a cue to change mechanics, workload, or seek evaluation.
Unit checkpoint
Lock it in: match the terms, then test yourself.