Sunday, January 2, 2011

Module 11: Safety Habits

Please post your list of top safety habits here.

25 comments:

  1. 1. Demonstrate proper hygiene
    2. Use good body mechanics and techniques
    3. Keep stable massage equipment
    4. Table should be at proper height
    5. Stay within scope of practice
    6. Take client histories and disclosures
    7. Never use fragrances without consulting the client
    8. Never leave candles unattended
    9. Do not massage when ill, or massage an obviously infected client
    10. Adjust pillow height for individual client
    11. Lift properly when transferring equipment
    12. Perhaps most important, trust instincts; if something seems "off", it probably is!

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  2. As massage therapists we need to create a safe place for our clients to relax and heal, and we need to provide ourselves the same kind of care. We are expected to give and perform quality sessions, so it is imperative that we take care both the environment and ourselves.

    1. Provide an environment with consistent standards for hygiene and sanitizing.
    2. Stay within your scope of practice, and make referrals to other health-care providers when appropriate.
    3. Keep a professional relationship with clients
    4. Obtain client health histories and maintain client confidentiality.
    4. Practice good body mechanics
    5. Nourish - eating healthy, drinking plenty of water keeps your body functioning optimally.
    6. Sleep & Rest - helps your body to regenerate and recharge.
    7. Stress Managing - Take time to "disconnect" from the demands and maintain a work/life balance.
    8. Follow the standards of Professional Conduct & Ethics.
    9. Know contraindications, "when in doubt don't".
    10. Ensure client privacy, use proper draping techniques.

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  3. Safety Habits and Hygiene:

    1. Never meet a new client in unprofessional locations such as hotels or motels or unsecured environments.
    2. Display proper hygiene.
    3. Exercise, eat well, and rest.
    4. Continue your education to help prevent any unnecessary injuries to your clients.
    5. If you are offering out call appointments, then someone should know where you are at all times.
    6. Carry proper insurance.
    7. Do not accept anything such as food or a drink from your clients.
    8. Always have an exit plan.
    9. Use good body mechanics and stay in shape.
    10. Stay alert of your surroundings and your client’s emotions.

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  4. Safety Habits:

    1. Always trust your intuition when dealing with new clients, settings, financial situations, etc.
    2. Never meet new clients in unfamiliar and unprofessional settings (i.e. hotels or other unsecured environments.)
    3. Take care of yourself - exercise, eat well, rest, meditate, etc.
    4. Always carry a cell phone.
    5. Have someone know where you are at all times, especially if offering home visits,
    6. Always have an exit plan, whether working in a spa or at home.
    7. Carry a whistle, pepper spray, or some other object that you can defend yourself with.
    8. Be aware of your body (i.e. body mechanics) during sessions.
    9. Be able to say "no."
    10. Carry proper insurance with you.
    11. Continue education for personal benefit and awareness of dealing with injuries, etc.
    12. Be present and aware of surroundings and your client.

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  5. 1. Drink alot of water and encourage your client to do so as well.
    2. Exercise often and encourage your client to exercise.
    3. Help your client be relieved of stress but do not carry their stress.
    4. Your comfort comes first. Your client cannot be comfortable unless you are.
    5. Wash your hands, tables, sheets, (anything you or your client may have touched during the session) to keep bacteria from spreading.
    6. Always look and smell clean.
    7. Do not massage anybody who makes you uncomfortable.
    8. Make sure there is always someone else around when you're massaging somebody you don't know.
    9. Carry some pepper spray.
    10. Have good body mechanics.
    11. Be aware and intuitive.

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  6. Proper Hygiene
    Appropriate body mechanics
    Stay within scope of practice
    Use client intake forms (always confidential)
    Maintain equipment (safety & sanitation)
    Use proper draping techniques
    Carry appropriate insurance
    Be aware of contraindications
    Maintain desire for furthering education
    Have a safety plan (self defense, someone having knowledge of out-calls)
    Maintain a positive attitude
    Maintain your own "wellness" (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social, etc.)

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  7. 1. Practice good body mechanics – learn to work efficiently and effectively.
    2. Address and treat your own illness and injuries promptly – waiting to treat or choosing less effective treatments can lead to longer recovery times and costly rehabilitation.
    3. Practice healthy lifestyle habits – ensure you receive a nutritious diet, proper hydration, regular exercise, and restful sleep. Limit caffeine and avoid tobacco and alcohol. Maintain your spiritual, mental, and emotional health (i.e. foster healthy relationships).
    4. Receive regular massages (i.e. trade with other fellow massage therapists and bodyworkers).
    5. Ensure that you are always adequately insured and your licensure is up-to-date.
    6. Create a comfortable and safe treatment environment for yourself and your clients; never meet clients in unprofessional settings.
    7. Practice good personal hygiene and maintain cleanliness and safety of equipment and environment.
    8. Don’t ever hesitate to turn away a client if you feel your safety is compromised, and keep a personal protection device within reach (i.e. pepper spray) or take a self-defense class.
    9. Always have a cell phone charged and on “silent” mode with you at all times.
    10. Reschedule appointments whenever you or your client is ill.
    11. Stay within your scope of practice – always be aware of what you can and can’t do as a massage therapist and never hesitate to make referrals.
    12. Always enter a session with a clear head and good intention – leave personal problems at the door and always ground yourself prior to the start of a session.

    Resource(s):
    http://massageceguide.com/the-business-of-self-care/

    ReplyDelete
  8. 1. Keep a professional relationship with clients.
    2. Practice good body mechanics.
    3. Keep stable massage equipment.
    4. Stay within scope of practice.
    5. Demonstrate proper hygiene.
    6. Carry proper insurance.
    7. Never meet a new client in unprofessional locations such as hotels or motels or unsecured environments.
    8. Maintain your own "wellness" (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social, etc.)
    9. Reschedule appointments whenever you or your client is ill.
    10. Always use proper sanitation for equipment, linens, and self.

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  9. Drink Lots of water
    Always carry hand sanitizer/ table sanitizer spray
    change/wash sheets per client
    wash hands frequently
    Be aware and intuitive
    maintain equipment
    maintain personal wellness
    practice proper body mechanics
    reschedule appointments if feeling ill.
    have insurence

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  10. 1. Be sure to eat fruits and vegetables regularly.
    2. Keep Hydrated and drink plenty of water.
    3. Get Active. Exercise often and encourage your client to exercise.Incorporate a 30 minute to an hour physical activity in your daily routine.
    4. Be smart about consuming small portions and serving sizes of your food.
    5. Practice Proper Hygiene and maintain cleanliness.
    6. Be sure to get plenty of rest.
    7. Effectively being able to relate to others, your community and the world.
    8. Being aware and accepting a healthy way of expressing one's feelings.
    9. Exploring the value and meaning in one's life; having a belief system; or spirituality.
    10. Financial stability and planning.
    11. Engaging and being in the company of healthy and positive people. :)

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  11. 1. Stay hydrated
    2. Use elbows when needed (save the thumbs!)
    3. Have good body mechanics
    4. Keep boundries between you and your clients very clear
    5. Be sure any and all supplies used for massage are cleaned prior to giving a massage
    6. Be sure to bathe and keep up your appearance
    7. Do not massage a person if they have made some “pass” at you
    8. Have a familiar person around in case the new client gets out of hand
    9. Be sure to eat properly for the amount of work you will be performing
    10. Be sure to get enough sleep the night prior to giving a massage
    11. Know your surroundings
    12. Do not perform any style of massage you are not knowledgeable about
    13. Keep within your scope of practice (you are not a doctor)

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  12. Safety Habits for Massage


    Be specific how your client should be dressed, how to lay on the bed and which sheets to go under.

    Never lock the door behind you.

    If your alone in you space, put a pair of shoes at door so it appears someone else is in building.

    Always be in control of any situation.

    Be confident in yourself and skills. If you don't know an answer say " I am not sure, but I will find out for you."

    Be aware of your clothes, what do they suggest as a therapist?

    Have a tool box full of techniques...continue to learn and build this box.

    Keep your nails cut so you do not scratch your clients.

    Keep deodorant, Himalayan salt or essential oil available for your under arms during busy or hot days.

    If a client insist that you do something that is inappropriate or that you do not know how to do let them know that is not in your scope of practice. Never feel pressured to do something your not trained to do.

    A well balanced therapist mentally, physically and spiritually will allows give the best experiences to their clients. When nothing enters your space during a massage and you can connect with your client that is when the true healing begins - Shanti.

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  13. Learn to use your elbows.
    Change client’s position so you can change your own. Learn to use side-lying position.
    If finances allow, purchase a table that can change heights.
    Keep your wrists straight and shoulders down as you massage.
    Develop and perform a fascial and muscle stretching routine. Be sure to include your hands, wrists, neck and shoulders before and after each treatment.
    Listen to your own advice: drink plenty of water.
    Don’t apply the majority of your pressure from your hands alone; the more of your core moving forward that you can put into your applied pressure, the better.
    Take care of yourself: eat well, get sleep and exercise.
    Consider safety, especially with first time clients.
    Follow proper hygiene protocols with tables, sheets, washing, rashes, etc.


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  14. 1. Exercise often
    2.Stay hydrated
    3.Use elbows to save the thumbs!
    4.practice Proper Hygiene and maintain cleanliness
    5.maintain equipment!
    6. be professional
    7.Practice good body mechanics
    8.Use client intake forms
    9.Never meet new clients in unfamiliar and unprofessional settings
    10.Table should be at proper height

    ReplyDelete
  15. Safety Habits:
    1. Develop and use proper body mechanics
    2. Use elbows, forearms, body weight to avoid overuse or injury of hands
    3. Stay within scope of practice
    4. Be mindful of scents or allergies when using massage products, always check with client first
    5. Practice good hygiene of self and equipment
    6. Take care of your own body and wellness.
    7. Trust your intuition
    8. Always be aware of your surroundings and take safety precautions for self-protection
    9. Carry Insurance
    10. Take client intake form and update as needed
    11. Use proper draping techniques
    12. Be mindful to cancel if ill and reschedule
    13. If going to a client’s home be sure to tell someone where you are or bring someone with you.
    14. If you feel uncomfortable with anything don’t brush it off, listen to your inner guidance.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Top 10 Safety Habits
    1. Carry insurance
    2. Have someone around when working with new clients
    3. keep space and tools neat and hygienic
    4. If not well, reschedule appointments
    5. Drape
    6. Stay within scope of practice
    7. Use good body mechanics
    8. Exercise
    9. Eat and drink well
    10. Refer when it makes sense
    11. Practice good personal hygiene
    12. If something looks funky when giving a massage, avoid it

    ReplyDelete
  17. 10 Safety Habits
    1.Sterlize bed, headrest, tools, between clients
    2. Wash hands thoroughly before, after, and between clients
    3. Know how to accomodate for elderly or disabled clients- help getting onto bed, etc.
    4. Emergency procedures- fire extinguisher, flashlight, robe
    5.Know precautions and hazards of cleaning materials
    6 Wash sheets and blankets in hot water and store in sterile environment
    7.Follow rules and regulations of biohazard blood born pathogen protection
    8.CPR and first aid training
    9. Well lit parking lot and entrance
    10.Office in safe location

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  18. Safety and Wellness Habits:
    1) Wash hands between clients.
    2) Keep your nails short and make sure to check body odor and breath before greeting client and starting massage.
    3) Keep proper body mechanics in mind--use varied strokes and body parts during the massage.
    4) Exercise to strengthen your back and arms and eat well to stay healthy.
    5) Adjust your table height and client position to help you lean in rather than pushing harder with thumbs.
    6) Clean your tools and equipment between clients and clean up your room at the end of each session and at the end of the day.
    7) Be conscious of physical limitations, don't schedule too many clients in one day or plan a lot of activities after a busy work day.
    8) Have someone else nearby especially when working with a new client.
    9) Take time to become centered before beginning the massage--create an intention/ask for guidance.
    10) Listen to the client and to your own intuition and body as you go. Stay present!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Safety & wellness habits!
    1. Drink lots of water.
    2. Wash hands in between clients.
    3. Use proper body mechanics.
    4. Eat plenty of food to sustain you.
    5. Keep your core strong and contracted throughout the massage to keep good posture and protect your back.
    6. Make sure you aren't alone with clients you don't know.
    7. Carry insurance.
    8. Confidentiality.
    9. Proper hygiene.
    10. Take care of yourself.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Self Care: Safety Habits and Hygiene
    By Sheila B.

    1. Proper nutrition, sleep and hydration
    2. Good body mechanics
    3. Be knowledgeable of secondary trauma and how to alleviate/lessen its potential impact
    4. Be knowledgeable about 'compassion fatigue' and its potential toll.
    5. Find ways to purge secondary emotional residue by participating in enjoyable activities with friends.
    6. Have referral list for clients needing support not within our scope of practice
    7. Have routine massage for self!
    8. Attend workshops/seminars to stay educated and up-to-date on new techniques.
    9. Connect with kindred spirits regularly.
    10. Exercise regularly. Yoga meditation is a plus!
    11. Take good care of hands and skin
    12. Keep massage environment clean, sanitized and uncluttered.
    13. Know how to say No to a client without alienating them e.g., deferral or referral.
    14. Set boundaries for safety and client timeliness
    15. Follow Code of Ethics

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  21. 1.maintain a sanitary environment
    2. use proper hand washing techniques
    3. practice self-care
    4. maintain safe body mechanics
    5. keep up to date insurance
    6. have clients fill out intake form
    7. nails kept short and adequate hygiene practices
    8. stay within scope of practice
    9. never engage in personal relationships with clients
    10. don't engage in conversation during massage unless client initiates it

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  22. Safety Habit Research:

    PERSONAL SECURITY:
    *If doing house calls or private appointments, have friends or loved ones know your schedule and know when to expect to hear from you.
    *If working in a private office, have others at your office with you or have people in nearby offices who care about you and know your schedule.
    *Do safety planning and have an emergency plan for potential dangerous situations that could arise (from inappropriate client behavior to fires)
    *Train yourself in activities that make you feel confident in emergencies (first aid, disaster response training, self-defense, etc)
    *Trust your intuition.

    INFECTIOUS DISEASE PREVENTION + HYGIENE:
    *Practice good cleanliness- bathe regularly, wear clean clothes, wash your hands very regularly!
    *Wash sheets, towels, and linens after each client and fully sterilize and sanitize your massage space after each client.
    *Don't give massages when sick, and inform clients that you do not wish them to visit you when they are sick with an infectious disease.
    *Discuss your expectations for hygiene with clients.

    SOCIETAL:
    *Have insurance
    *Maintain your license in good standing, and hold to your scope of practice
    *Be professional and act with integrity
    *Make informed decisions about how you wish to report your income and pay taxes

    LONG TERM HOLISTIC CARE:
    *Practice excellent body mechanics
    *Prepare your mind and body for massage work, including meditation and stretching
    *Take care of your own mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional wellness

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  23. Safety Habits and Wellness
    1-Take care of equipment (table, chair, sheets, apron)
    2-Avoid over-scheduling - if you are stressed about getting to next appt, the client will know
    3-Eat, drink, and sleep well
    4- Create a routine of scheduled self-care
    5-Practice good body mechanics
    6-Be aware of contraindications
    7- Know your scope of practice
    8-Be aware of both personal and client safety and privacy
    9-Trust your intuition and be able to say no
    10-Carry appropriate insurance

    ReplyDelete