Massage Therapy Journal Summer 2024

52 • Massage Therapy Journal

AMTA Continuing Education

Intake Assessment Massage therapists should be thorough and compassionate when evaluating a client to gauge the risk or the current manifestation of TNS. The comprehensive set of inquiries below aims to not only understand the extent of device usage, but also to unravel the intricacies of the client’s lifestyle, postural habits and overall well-being. When learning about your client, it is important to touch on all of the following. Device Usage Patterns • Screen time breakdown: Inquire about the specific breakdown of screen time across different devices and activities, such as texting, browsing or gaming. • Multitasking practices: Explore whether the client engages in multitasking with multiple screens and the duration of such activities. Work and Lifestyle • Workstation insights: Probe into the particulars of their daily screen time related to work or study and gather details about the setup of their home workstation. • Recreational habits: Uncover any leisure

activities that involve prolonged use of digital devices and screens.

Age Group and Demographics • Demographic information: Gather

demographic details, including age, and discuss any age-specific concerns or lifestyle factors. • Age-related considerations: Explore whether there are lifestyle considerations or challenges associated with the client’s particular age group. Postural Awareness • Conscious posture maintenance: Assess the client’s awareness of maintaining good posture, especially when utilizing handheld devices. • Postural descriptions: Encourage the client to describe their typical posture during device use, identifying patterns like head-forward or slouched positions. Symptomatology • Pain and discomfort: Explore the existence of any recent neck pain, stiffness or discomfort, and its frequency and intensity. • Peripheral symptoms: Investigate if there are

When conducting a postural assessment for TNS, massage therapists should carefully observe and assess the various aspects to identify potential signs and risk factors.

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