Therapist, Heal Thyself
Every time I teach a continuing ed class, I ask for a show of hands of how many people have had a massage in the past week, month, or year. I’m always blown away by the fact that in a room full of massage therapists, the people who have had a massage in the past month are often the minority. What’s wrong with this picture?
I need my massage. I was a massage client for years before I became a massage therapist. I woke up one morning with a terrible crick in my neck and couldn’t even turn my head. I called my mother (the classic response to being in trouble), and she said, “Don’t worry, I’ll take you to get a massage.” That was about twenty years ago, and I don’t think I’ve gone longer than a month without one in all that time. I shoot for one every week or two. Massage is one of the major components of my personal wellness plan.
When I think back on all the massages I’ve had from various practitioners, a few stand out in my mind. One was from a new student who asked to do a practice massage on me, and it took place on the front porch of his cabin overlooking a beautiful mountain view, with the sound of the river flowing below. The setting more than made up for his lack of technical expertise. Another was a double-team Lomi-Lomi bestowed on me by two friends who had just returned from taking a class in Hawaii. The Rolfing series I went through changed my body and changed my life. I try to get a lymphatic drainage every month or two. I’ve been blessed with friends and colleagues who practice many different modalities, and I’ve tried as many as I’ve had the opportunity to experience. There are still plenty of things I haven’t experienced yet that I’m looking forward to.
When we were students, we all got regular massage because we had to trade and practice on each other. Some of us maintain that habit after graduation, but too many others let it fall by the wayside. If that describes you, pick up the phone right now and call someone you can trade with. Due to my busy schedule and staying on the road a lot, it’s usually more convenient for me to pay for a session than to try to schedule a trade. Either way, I’ve got to have it. I just can’t stand there and tell a client they’d benefit from regular massage if I’m not getting it myself. Sometimes a client asks how often I get a massage. I’d be very embarrassed if I had to say I hadn’t had one in a year.
Getting a regular massage can prolong your career by keeping your body performing at optimum level and bestowing on you all the health benefits that we quote to our clients. It could turn into a networking and/or mutual referral opportunity. Visiting other therapists in town for massage can spread good will and teach you what your competition’s up to. You might learn a few new bodywork tricks and techniques, too. You’ll be connecting with another person who knows what it means to be grounded and centered, and who understands the awesome power of touch. Pick up the phone and make that call.
Peace & Prosperity,
Laura Allen
Posted on April 20th, 2008 by Laura Allen
Filed under: General
I am in total agreement with you, Laura. As long as I have been a therapist I have ALWAYS made time for getting massage and other bodywork or spa services. It has kept my work and perspective fresh and my body out of pain. As you mentioned it also paved the way to friendships with a number of massage professionals, many of whom referred clients to me and/or my spa when they weren’t able to accomodate a clients needs or schedule. A number of them have also come to me for business coaching/consulting help, for which I am also grateful and honored.
Getting massage regularly has also helped me stay in touch with the reasons why I became a massage therapist…that is to help people feel better physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. And possibly best of all, by getting massage regularly, I have always been able to honestly tell my clients they needed to do the same thing. It’s called practicing what you preach and it is one area that I’ve always followed through on that charge. I hope you will all do the same:-)
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