SELF-CARE FOR MASSAGE THERAPISTS - Part 1

21 Aug
2015

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Every day Massage Therapists are committed to supporting the health and well-being of their clients, but do they bring this same commitment to themselves?

Whilst we could say that Massage Therapists are more likely to have the awareness and presence of mind to care for their health and well-being, our understanding and practice of self-care does not always translate into the way we work in clinic.

Massage Therapists may choose to have a healthy diet and participate in regular exercise however there can be a tendency to push our bodies during sessions which can place our hands and body at risk of injuries.

If as therapists, we do not remain in tune with our own body it can lead to the very same injuries that many of our clients are experiencing.

As massage therapists, we may be reluctant to admit if we are experiencing pain and injuries in our hands and arms. We may judge ourselves or consider it a failure to have an injury.

Any injury is simply a sign from our body to stop and consider how we are living and what choices we are making which are not supportive for our body. We can listen to those signs, and learn from them. 

An injury is certainly not a sign of weakness, however if we do not stop to listen and adjust our choices in order to live in a way that is supportive to our body, then what we often experience is that the condition will likely worsen. Our body is forever talking to us – it starts with little messages and offers us an opportunity to listen to those, before it gives us more.

Have we not all experienced that the messages or signs get louder/bigger the more we ignore them?

There are ways as therapists that we can look after our body and our hands in order to extend our bodywork career for years to come. If a therapist’s training was of a high quality, the Massage Therapist would have been supported to understand the principles of self-care and how to apply them in their work and everyday life. The practice of self-care can prevent injury and support overall well-being and vitality. As therapists, we are in the business of supporting others and the fact is, the benefit we can provide to clients increases exponentially the more we take care of ourselves. Practise what you preach, as they say. 

Self-care tips

It is no surprise that the approach to self-care is based on the same principles that therapists often share with their clients, such as listening to their body and making choices which truly support them. 

Body Mechanics

There are some very simple and common sense actions that a Massage Therapist can take to support their body and the sustainability of their practice. This starts with an awareness of and adjusting the body as needed:

Ensure the table is at the correct height
Adjusting the table height an inch or two can make a huge difference in the angle of pressure, and can make a huge difference in preventing stress in the joints.

Forming a strong and steady stance
Take time to place your legs in a position that you can feel comfortable and relaxed in during the sequence.

Supple back
Ensure that you do not bend over in your posture and place excessive strain upon your back, shoulders and arms.

One great tip to check in with your body is to bring your attention back to your breath. If it is flowing in a steady and gentle rhythm it is likely that your body is at ease. If you are holding your breath or it feels erratic, it is often the case that you are pushing or straining your body.

Providing bodywork services is very satisfying work.

It is important to practice in a way that is honouring of your own body. It is also a fact that the more well and vital you are as a therapist, the greater the quality and presence that you can offer your clients.

By paying attention to the way you are with your body on both work and rest days, and being conscious to work according to what your body needs, you can look after your hands, your body and your livelihood for years to come. The key is to bring the same level of care and dedication to yourself, as you do to your clients.

Next week in part two of this series we will explore client load.