How can one find a great shoulder worker?

[dfuerstcat]

How can a customer determine if a practitioner is a great shoulder worker (ahead of time)?

A great shoulder worker:

1. Knows the names of all the muscles related to the shoulder.

2. Knows all the origins and insertions of the muscles related to the shoulder.

3. Knows all the trigger points and referred pain patterns of the shoulder.

4. Can determine by range of motion and referred pain exactly which muscle or muscle needs to be addressed.

5. Most importantly, knows how to get the muscles related to the shoulder to let go.

Is there a certificate or special training in shoulders? Are there any magic words to key in on?

Thank you!

 

[Karla Reyna]

How can one find a great shoulder worker?

How can a customer determine if a practitioner is a great shoulder worker (ahead of time)?

A great shoulder worker:

1. Knows the names of all the muscles related to the shoulder.

2. Knows all the origins and insertions of the muscles related to the shoulder.

3. Knows all the trigger points and referred pain patterns of the shoulder.

4. Can determine by range of motion and referred pain exactly which muscle or muscle needs to be addressed.

5. Most importantly, knows how to get the muscles related to the shoulder to let go.

Is there a certificate or special training in shoulders? Are there any magic words to key in on?

Thank you!

While #1-4 are all desirable, they are NOT prerequisites to doing great shoulder work. #5 is, as you've already identified, the crux of the matter.

If you want someone that definitely possesses #1-4, the best way to know for sure is to call them and start asking questions you already know the answers to. These can be found in books.

If you want someone that definitely possesses #5, ask other people in your area (especially bodyworkers and/or medical pros) who they recommend for shoulder massage. This can not be found in a book.

Some keywords to start with would be neuromuscular therapy, orthopedic massage, orthomassage, and trigger point therapy.

 

[Princesa Z]

How can one find a great shoulder worker?

I agree with Jason.

#1 and 2 would certainly be nice - but retaining all the info from anatomy doesn't necessarily make a good body-worker. Though we all should try to remember all that information - I am willing to bet there are several fantastic therapists out there who don't remember all of the muscle names, or more specifically the Origins and Insertions. So don't automatically rule someone out if they're unable to to give you all of that info, unless it's REALLY important that they know the correct terms for everything.

#5 is certainly the most important factor.

I'm not sure about other therapists, but I was trained to discuss issues in two ways depending on who you're talking to. A more clinical aspect to fellow colleagues or when charting the clients info after a session. And more layman, simplified terms for clients/friends etc. I am going to tell a client that their calf muscle is tight - not their gastrocnemius. Or if they are having a specific problem with a muscle and referred pain - I am going to show them on their body where the muscle starts and ends, to explain why it's referring. But I probably won't start talking about specific bones and landmarks and insertion points.

So - if you want to know your therapist really knows their stuff, you might have to prod a bit to get them to be more technical than "Your shoulders are really tight." Just ask them to be more specific and technical - you want to know WHICH muscles are tight, etc.

If you're interested in trigger points, that'll definitely be a key-word to zero in on, when asking around.

 

[whateverchic2006]

How can one find a great shoulder worker?

While I agree that #5 is most important, it is also going to depend on what is going on with you. Is this something that has built up over time? Was there a traumatic event that preceded the shoulder pain such as a fall or car accident?

I think the best way (not counting referrals) would be to call someone and just ask if they do specific work and/or have experience with shoulder injuries. Personally, I would want a good therapist to ask me for more info at that point. That would mean more to me than if they knew attachment points, etc.

Also, bear in mind that working on the shoulder could also mean working on the rib cage, the neck, the pecs, etc. as that could all play a part in what is going on with your shoulder- depending on your specific tension pattern.

 

[muzammil]

How can one find a great shoulder worker?

Here's another way to consider this topic:

Would you bring your car to a mechanic who:

1. Does NOT know the names of the engine parts?

2. Does NOT know how the parts related to each other?

3. Does NOT know how to recognize clues for problems?

4. Does NOT know how to test for problems?

Automobiles are modular constructs that have very clearly defined tolerances and relationships. I definitely prefer a mechanic that knows those facts, and preferably one who has some experience working with the make and model of vehicle I drive.

But I'm a do-it-yourselfer whenever time allows. I often don't know all of those facts, yet I usually succeed in completing a successful automotive repair. So those facts are indicative of greater skill, professionalism, and reliability... but they aren't always necessary.

The human body is an organism whose structures are fully integrated in a dynamic biotensegrity matrix. The tolerances and relationships are not all well-understood, and the tissues are continuously adapting to changing environmental, homeostatic, and behavioral demands.

As a practicing NCTMB MT that deals primarily with injuries and complex health conditions, I feel it's important to know as many facts and tests as possible. This assists my clinical reasoning and helps me determine how to proceed during a treatment. BUT sometimes the facts and tests just can't tell me what I need to know, so I have to use my palpation skills and dialogue with my client to learn more as the session progresses.

I don't know all of the facts all of the time, nor do I know all of the tests or potentially beneficial treatment methods. When it's difficult to interpret what I am palpating, and my client's verbal feedback isn't clarifying things... I just do the best I can with what I know at the time, and study the issue later to shore up my knowledge in case I see it again.

 

[Jesse S]

How can one find a great shoulder worker?

I offer a complimentary 15 minute session to new clients. This helps them feel more comfortable with me and the work that I do and they don't need to feel obligated to continue if I'm not providing the kind of pressure or style of massage they want. Obviously, not all massage practitioners do this, and you'll find that most are open to answering your specific questions regarding their expertise in working with shoulders.

All the best,
Theresa

 

[Pompal 09.]

How can one find a great shoulder worker?

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