When setting up PowerKnapp, I wanted a clear way to convey treatment goals (including frequency and homework) to both myself and to clients.
When something isn’t going to plan or goes wrong, we often find confidence by having a plan of action to overcome obstacles, no matter how big or small. And when muscle pain comes along, or niggles start to develop, it can be hard to know where to start. And for me, I needed to confidently and concisely show clients a plan for progress. Enter, The PowerKnapp Progress Plan.
I'm usually of the mentality that everyone is unique, especially when taking into account not just their ailments but activities, hobbies and work pattern too. Hence the treatment for said ailment should reflect that individuality, and shouldn't be forcibly squeezed into any ol' generic treatment plan box. Moreover, an ailment can change - as can a client's prioirities. But, when I was setting up the business, I needed a starting point to explain and show to clients what my plan for them was, based on their discomfort levels and the observations made in session. From there, the client and I can tailor and shape each session to their needs and their ever evolving scenario.
At PowerKnapp, I assess the client's condition thoroughly. From what the client and I observe and discuss, we would apply this information to the PowerKnapp Progress Plan and recommend one of the 6 Treatment Plans, which, as said, can be tailored.
The PowerKnapp Progress Plan consists of 6 Treatment Plans. The six treatment plans are:
- Maintenance:
This plan is recommended to clients who aren't in pain, have decent muscular function and mobility and aren't competing regularly. The main component of the plan is a 4-weekly or monthly sports massage.
- Performance:
A plan for clients who also suffer no pain, have decent function and mobility, but compete on a regular basis and need to be kept in peak condition during their respective sporting season. Weekly Sports Massage is recommeneded. Once competition season is over, they will revert to a Maintenance Plan.
- Prevention:
For clients who aren't currently in pain/discomfort, but have significantly limited function or mobility, and hence are at high risk of injury. This plan includes fortnightly Sports Massage with an emphasis on improving function and range of movement. Unqiue and specific Home Exercise Porgrams (HEPs) are provided and firmly encouraged.
- Recovery:
For clients who are in pain and suffer with significantly limited function and range of movement. The problem site appears to be in the muscle tissue and, after conducting a number of tests, doesn't seem to be considerable or severe and tension appears to be a key factor. The plan recommends at least fortnightly sports massage, again with emphasis on a Home Exercise Program and a focus on improving mobility whilst also trying to developing resilience in the musculature to reduce the risk of the ailment returning.
- Referral:
The most important of the 6 plans. When a client is in pain, suffers with significant dysfunction or immobility and numerous biomechanical tests imply or confirm serious injury. This means the client must be Referred. Trying to fix them with Sports Massage and/or provide potentially ill-advised exercises could do them far more harm than good. The service I'd be referring them to is almost always a Physiotherapist or, in certain cases, their GP.
- Strengthening:
This plan is reserved for those who are in pain or discomfort, but have decent mobility. It's for clients where their injury/ailment does not appear to the result of tension alone, but rather a tear/strain or weakness/misfiring of the muscle in question. This is the plan where the Home Exercises Programs are paramount for the client if they want to see progress, along side at least monthly sports massage to help release any accumulating tension. In the case of limited progress, they may be recommended the Referral Plan.
When I first started, I tried to incentivise clients to keep to their plan by rewarding them with ongoing discounts if they came back within the recommended time frame. But, it turned out, I underestimated my massage abilities, and people *wanted* to come back despite the discount, showing their commitment to the plan laid out.
Another aspect of the PowerKnapp Progress Plans was to give clients a rough idea of how long it will take to get back to normal. In hindsight though, this is a bit naive, as injuries and ailments change and giving clients even a rough deadline or recovery period can back fire, despite how well intended it may be.
The PowerKnapp Progress Plan meant that clients could kick back and relax as I did the planning, the monitoring and the sports-massaging as we worked together to get them back to their optimal selves.
What plan would you think you'd need to get back to your pb-hitting, pain-free, flexible self?