Client Examination for Massage: Foundations

This chapter reviews selected issues for therapists to consider when conducting a client examination prior to using massage techniques. These topics include the focus of an examination for the use of massage techniques, body structures and functions that are relevant to massage, client reports that arise during the course of history taking that can suggest soft tissue dysfunction, and the use of palpation and nonpalpatory examination techniques. Therapists can integrate this information into a client examination that is appropriate for their scope of practice and their clients’ conditions. Numerous clinical texts document client examination techniques for musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiopulmonary, and psychological conditions for the various health care professions. Consequently, this chapter assumes that readers will consult those texts for details on the client examination approach and techniques that are within their scope of practice. Chapter 5 Client Examination for Massage