What sort of techniques and exercises do professional licensed massage therapists use to keep their hands from getting tired and painful during and after a massage?
by 
eternal0void
ANSWERS: 4
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I asked this very question when I got a massage for my birthday this year! The therapist suggested that they use their hands together (as in using thumbs over each other) in order to reduce the stress on the hands. Personally, I found that quite hard to believe as when I give my partner a rub (which is often) I get sore thumbs quite quickly and also find that rubbing with two hands separately gives a better feeling rub. I would personally trust the therapists response instead of mine as I am not trained in that area.
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My husband is an MT and one thing I notice is that he is adamant about proper body mechanics being used. This includes everything from good body stanch and leg position to proper use of the arms and hands. And also using different 'tool' for the job like fingers, parts of the hand or positions of the hands or elbows, things like that. Most people think of just using the hand or arms, even shoulders but actually the force or energy for the movements comes from the whole body, especially the core or "hara". So frequent use of the whole body is really the best exercise to stay fit for massage. The forearms are one good place to massage so that they are relaxed enough to do their work, the area around the elbow and down the forearm and also helps relieve and avoid symptoms of carpal tunnel.
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It definitely has a lot to do with good body mechanics. Also, there's a fabulous book out there... Hand Maintenance Guide for Massage Therapists by Shogo Mochizuki. That book has been instrumental in my career... a few years ago, my hands got to the point that I could barely pick up a glass with one hand at the end of the day. I had to work hard at resting & rehabilitating. Now I work on regular maintenance, of my hands & arms specifically, and getting regular full-body massages, & chiropractic adjustments. I also take a supplement that contains glucosamine, MSM, type II collagen, and essential oils.
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You've got to keep your weight balanced. MTs don't use their hands as much as non professionals do when they give a massage. Much of the pressure comes from your body mechanics, and stance. This allows even me (at 120lbs) to massage very deeply, without injury to myself, or fatigue.
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