by Carla Huber
Rubbing
on people and “happy endings,” are probably what the majority of people think
of when they hear massage therapy/therapist. However, if you ever have had the
opportunity to receive a massage or know a massage therapist, then you have a
better understanding of what it actually assists with. Of course massage
therapy has a number of health benefits; it reduces muscle tension, increases
blood flow, strengthens the immune system, reduces stress, headaches and
insomnia, just to name a few. The benefits go on and on. It also can be so much
more than just physical benefits. In a country taken over by electronics, there
has been such a disconnect between one another that many times, massage helps
fill that void.
A
disconnect? Yes. The majority of the day most people are attached to some form
of electronic device: a lap top, desktop, tablet, smartphone, whatever your pleasure.
I know for me, my cell is the first thing I check in the morning, last thing I check
at night, and as long as I am able I probably check it every 30 minutes. Except
for one of my classes, phones are not allowed and students using them will be
kicked out. People do not talk as often -- really talk, not texting, not snapchat or
instant messages.
Often
massage unknowingly fills that void. Think about it. You go into a therapist
room, and it is a “quiet” zone. That usually means that both the client and the
therapist put their cell phones on silent for at least an hour, sometimes up to
two, and do not touch them. Of course there are exceptions. I once had a client
that was on not one, but two cell phones for half of the hour session. Some
just cannot let go. For the most part though, they look forward to it.
Many
times, I will be in a session and the client just talks the entire time. If
that’s what they want to do, then I normally just go with the flow. Sometimes
that client just has so much pent up, and they just need to release it. I’ve
had a gentleman that is a full-time caregiver for his wife who has Alzheimer’s.
He spent the whole session, telling me about how difficult it is, how he has to
start the morning by telling her about their whole life. Mind you he was
probably in his 70s, and he had to start all the way back to when they were
teens. He spoke about how she is the love of his life. I also have some whose
children are going through cancer. Others have no family and are alone and they
just need someone to listen. They may be having personal issues at work or
home, or a difficult time with their children. I provide a space for them to do
that. Being a massage therapist I learned, at least
where I went to school, to
go into a session with an open heart, mind and compassion, to create a non-judgmental
atmosphere, and a safe place. There also seems to be a lack of physical
(non-sexual) touch in our society. Often someone just needs that physical touch
that may be lacking. It is more of a compassionate type of touch, a touch that
I would compare to someone going through a hard time and a person offering a
hug or to hold their hand. A good massage therapist will just be present with
the client and allow them to reconnect to themselves, not only on a physical
level, but an emotional, sometimes spiritual level as well. Mental and
emotional stress sometimes can be a major factor in creating that physical pain.
Think of the saying, “He holds the weight of the world on his shoulders,” or “I
hold all my stress in my neck,” and it is true.
Even
though clients come to me and other therapist for physical pain, they are able
to let their guard down and feel comfortable enough to express their feelings
and everyday stresses, when otherwise they may not. It is an honor and a blessing to be able to
provide a safe, nonjudgmental place for someone to completely let go and feel
comfortable in their own skin.
