This picture shows how one of the students use a thumb grip on the trapezius muscle on one of her fellow classmates. She can easily locate tender points in the muscle, but is also adviced not to use too much thumb grips during a massage since it puts large strain on your thumb joints. The students are supposed to learn to give a good massage but also how to protect their own bodies from risks and injuries.
Teaching about occupational health and safety is a big issue in Australian VET. It happens in many VET programs and it is taken very seriously.It is obviously very important for people giving massages that they use their muscles well and with not much strain. Do students learn this quickly? What else do you do to reinforce these self protective strategies?
ReplyDeleteNo, actually (and sadly) I don't think they learn this quickly. Often the understanding of this depends on the students earlier... how shall I put it? ... self body awareness? Don't know if that is the correct English term but students who have done training of their own such as gymnastics or football seem to take the postures and grips more naturally. But in Sweden physical exercise in school is not done as often as I think it should be, and students spend a lot of time sitting, not always in the healthiest of poses. How is this in Australia?
ReplyDeleteYes i think you have explained this well Jenniann. Students who have used their bodies in sport are more self aware and sometimes protective of their bodily saftery. We do quite a lot of physical exercise in our schools but not so much in our vocational colleges. But Australians love sport and exercise and we take it very seriously. However, like in Sweden there is a lot of concern that young people are spending too much time on computers etc and not enough time keeping fit.
ReplyDeleteDonna would you agree with this opinion?
I agree with you Jenniann. Although I do see a budding interest for health and fitness as a counterweight to the "gaming and sofahugging" youth. Although I belive it has more to do with looking good than feeling good when it comes to fitness. :)
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