I get calls all the time from people that are hurting. I bet you do, too. Sometimes, it's their low back. Sometimes, it's their upper back, their hip, foot, knee, or something else.There are a lot of wounded warriors out there, right? And they come to us for help. As I work on them, I explain the pain scale.
Not the "No pain, No gain" pain scale! I use the one that I describe below. First, I want to tell you about a class I'm teaching where you learn techniques that really help your clients.
On November 13-15, the Direct-Indirect Technique class for Upper Back, Low Back, Legs and Feet will be in Hot Springs, AR:
https://roltraining.com/product/dit-upper-lower-back-legs/
This is a hands-on class that focuses on highly effective techniques to relieve low back, hip, upper back, leg, knee, and foot pain by loosening tight hypertonic muscles and the fascial adhesions in and around those muscles.
This is the class that many massage therapists have said helped them bring lasting relief to their clients AND lasting success to their practice! Why? Because their clients want to keep coming back, and they refer their friends and family, too.
You can register for this 18-CEU class by clicking on the class name above or by calling me at 800-584-1562. As with all Ray of Light Training classes, it pays to register early before it fills up.
What about the Pain Scale?
The pain scale that people use to describe their situation is subjective. As you use bodywork techniques on their sore spots, you may induce a pain response. But you have to be careful not to overdo it.
It's about "No pain, No pain!" Our job is Not to inflict pain. Having said that, sometimes a minimal pain response lets you know that you’re on the right track with your treatment. Of course, one person’s ‘2’ may be another person’s ‘8’.
With DIT, we like to work somewhere between ‘4’ and ‘7’ on THAT person’s pain scale. I emphasize that it’s the client’s perception of the pain scale that matters, not the therapist’s perception of how much pressure they’re using!
If you think you’re only using ‘2’ pressure, but the client tells you they’re experiencing a ’10’, you need to back off! Don’t do like I’ve seen some therapists do and say, “Don’t worry. This is going to be good for you.”
Sure, some people have a high tolerance for pain, but that’s not always a good thing! On the other hand, I’ve had clients that told me they were bruised so badly by a massage therapist that they wouldn’t go get a massage again for years, until they finally showed up at my door.
How do you know what the client’s perception of pain is when you’re working on them? Some people will come right out and tell you. Or you might hear them scream or groan. Hopefully, they don’t kick you!
But a lot of people won’t tell you what their perception of pain is. They think it’s not ok to tell you. Or they’re introverted and don’t express their emotions well.
They might think you’re the ‘expert’ and you know what you’re doing, so it’s better not to say anything. Sometimes, they’re thinking, “This is horrible. I will never come back here.” And you don’t know. They just don't reschedule.
The best rule of thumb is to ASK them. “On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is ‘I don’t feel it at all’ and ’10’ is ‘take me to the emergency room’, how does this feel right now?”
After explaining that, ask them what’s the first number that pops into their head. That’s usually the best answer. Some people have to analyze everything, and they get lost in their heads.
Once you know where they are on their pain scale, then you adjust your pressure accordingly. If you’re higher than their ‘7’, back off a little.
If you’re lower than their ‘4’, then you might want to add a little more pressure to get the myofascial response that tells you the tissue is doing what it needs to do to reduce pain and discomfort.
We get deeper into all this in the DIT classes where you’ll have plenty of practice. You can register or see more information about this class here on the secure Ray of Light Training website.
You can take this class if you're new to DIT or if you've taken DIT classes before and want to refresh your skills, practice with other therapists, and get some bodywork yourself. This class is approved by both the AR Department of Health and the NCBTMB.
Stay well,
John
John Joseph Ray
Ray of Light Training
John J. Ray is a Board Approved Continuing Education Provider through the NCBTMB (National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork)
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