Massage assessment gathers information to make safe treatment decisions, establish a baseline, select techniques and measure response. It does not authorize diagnosis of disease or structural pathology.
Before hands-on work, notice overall ease of movement, guarded behavior, breathing, visible swelling, skin color changes, asymmetry, assistive devices and whether the client appears acutely ill or distressed. Record observations neutrally.
View from anterior, lateral and posterior perspectives when relevant. Compare landmarks such as head position, shoulder level, scapular position, pelvic level, knee alignment and foot position. Posture varies normally and does not prove the cause of pain.
At entry level, distinguish stance, when the foot contacts/supports the ground, from swing, when the limb advances. Observe stride symmetry, step length, cadence, trunk movement, arm swing, foot clearance and obvious guarding. Do not diagnose a neurological or orthopedic disorder from gait alone.
Palpation can assess location, tissue texture, temperature, tenderness, tone and movement while respecting consent. Compare sides when useful. Palpation findings are influenced by pressure, positioning and examiner expectations, so document what was actually felt/reported rather than claiming certainty about hidden pathology.
Ask what the client notices, what activities reproduce symptoms, what they want to improve and what pressure/positioning feels safe. A client goal such as “turn my head more comfortably while driving” is more measurable than “fix my neck.”