MAT111 - Leg Reference

For the MAT111 students... and anyone who wants a leg reference video:

Here is one of my favorite videos showing how to massage a leg in supine/prone. Since we only have you students on Saturdays and only have time for a short demo, I want to provide all possible resources to help you outside of the class for practice.

Open your laptop, play the video, and massage your client while watching, or watch the video first, then practice. Or both!

This second video is mostly a repeat of the first. Skip ahead to finish the entire leg.

If you need to practice and you want someone to physically show you these techniques, you can always come to the Wednesday lab and I'll help you out :-)

~Jess

Open Lab

There's been massive success in the open lab this week and last.

Last week I had five students show up for all different courses. This week I already know of 3-4 students that will be here.

All helping each other out, all getting work done.

However, I've noticed that the blog hasn't been getting many views. Probably because I haven't been posting due to an increased work load. Normally I write articles during the open lab, but last week I had no time to sit down and type. Which I think is a great thing, personally.

I also don't know what you guys want outlined. I have put information on here and it doesn't seem like many of you guys are reading the info I'm writing, because you ask me the same questions repeatedly when I put the info here for reference.

So I've changed the name of the blog to make it easier to access ("bccmassage" is easier to type). I will try to write at least one post a week for each class I SI in, and I will link it to Facebook.

That being said, lab is open, I'd love to see you here, so come on down!

~Jess

MAT111 - SOAP Notes

Hey guys!

This morning Berly reviewed how to be a proficient SOAP note writer. You all have access to the lecture notes she had displayed on the board in your MAT111 class.

Here are some highlights from the lecture/tips on writing your notes:

~ Be specific, clear, and concise.

~Too little information will be detrimental to your notes, esp. if they're requested for legal or medical use. Ex. "FBM [full body massage]. Cl feels great."

~Too much information takes too long to write and doesn't look professional. Sorting through excess info takes time and you may miss the important pieces. Ex. "Massage began at the head. Circular friction was applied from the base of the skull to forehead. Cross fiber friction applied to the forehead with the thumbs..."

~ "S" stands for "Subjective," or what the client SAYS. Ex, "Cl. stated 'I worked out yesterday. My hamstrings are sore."

~ "O" stands for "Objective," or things you OBSERVE. Ex, "Multiple adhesions found in R rhomboid major and minor along the scapula." Or, "Cl's feet laterally rotated."

~ "A" stands for "Assessment," where you DESCRIBE your treatment and RECORD any changes in your client. Ex, "Full body, 60 min Sw. tx. [treatment] including back, legs, feet, arms, hands, and chest. Adhesions in rhomboids reduced. Cl. claims to feel "very relaxed."

~ "P" stands for "Plan." What is your PLAN. What do you suggest your client does? For example, "SMT advised cl. to hydrate, esp. day of tx. Rebook appt. in 3 wks for 60 min. Sw. tx."

~ Abbreviate. There are a list of medical abbreviations somewhere (I will find them eventually). Abbreviations like "cl." for client, "tx." for treatment, "R & L" for right and left, etc. Be careful not to over abbreviate or other therapists may not be able to read your notes. If you have a doubt, spell it out.

~ You can write things you want to remember for the next time your client comes in. "Cl. is sensitive to candle smells," or, "Cl. requested no bolster," or, "Cl. preferred lotion, claimed sensitivity to oil." It isn't all medical-specific information.

~ Write your notes as soon as you can after you perform the treatment. The information will be fresh so you'll remember more important details and it will be accurate.

~ Listen to Berly's feedback!

I hope these tips help! Use them as a reference when writing your notes.

And have a good week :-)

~Jess