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Posted on: August 29, 2014

Implementing an exercise or movement plan into a your client's treatment can take healing to the next level. Many clients have underlying issues related to muscle weaknesses or mobilization. Integrating exercise or movement therapy along with massage therapy can greatly improve this.

Physical fitness is important to all humans. And it is impossible to thoroughly treat muscle soreness or injuries only through massage. When dealing with clients that come in for a massage, physical activity must be considered and integrated into the treatment plan. A thorough assessment is always the first step in determining the appropriate exercise to recommend. You must determine if there are any injuries that need to be considered. Range of motion should also be assessed.

It is important to prescribe movement therapies based on where the client presently is with movement abilities. It is also important to determine a complete exercise or movement plan with exercises that the client can start when they progress to their next movement level and continues all the way through complete healing.

Many massage therapists do not possess the knowledge needed to understand what exercises and movements will best help a client. The best way to become knowledgeable in this is to take a course on kinesiology, human anatomy, or exercise therapy. Much of this information is also covered through training for a certified personal trainer. This allows massage therapists to become familiar with the human body and movement. It also allows massage therapists to learn different exercises to prescribe.

Understanding movement and functional anatomy will provide greater insight in how best to massage and recommend exercise for your clients. The integration of exercise or movement therapy into any massage practice will greatly improve the client's treatment results.

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