The Bodyworkers Challenge-How do you practice what you preach?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on September 17, 2009 at 11:31am

Thank you, Cat. Do you have a daily schedule plan to model ours off of yet?

Permalink Reply by Catherine "Cat" Edwards on September 18, 2009 at 6:33pm

not yet, any ideas?


Mike Hinkle said:

Thank you, Cat. Do you have a daily schedule plan to model ours off of yet?

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Muller on September 18, 2009 at 7:03pm

That is something I have currently been working on with myself. I have been a massage therapist for the past 4 years and I had terrible shoulder pain. I finally started getting regular massages every week and also seeing a chiropractor. Why should I expect my clients to do any of the self care, or come back as recommended by their treatment plan if I am not willing to take the time or spend the money to do the same for myself. I now only get occassional pain (as compared to not able to move my shoulder) and am working full time again. I feel more confident when I tell my clients how often they need to come back because I KNOW it works!!! I have also started to do yoga again which has brought back much of the flexibilty I lost from being hunched over a table working on everyone else. I have also become much more aware of my body mechanics because I think after awhile we forget just how important it really is. I wish there were more CE classes on better body mechanics or improved ways of doing things with less effort. Sometimes we have to take time to better ourselves so we can help others.

Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on September 18, 2009 at 7:03pm

What self care daily survival maintenance plan can we produce to help therapists not ignore their pain and discomfort?

Morning stretches, pre massage stretches, post massage flexing, water consumption, charts showing proper stances in a place seen just before entering room to have that last checklist and our grounding ritual could be altered slightly to be part of the mindset that stance is part of grounding. I'll keep working on this one.

Permalink Reply by Mike Hinkle on September 18, 2009 at 7:08pm

Karina Braun has a book called Creating Peace With Your Hands and a group here at http://www.massageprofessionals.com/group/CreatingPeacewithYourHands
that can help with a lot of these questions and especially your shoulder Jennifer.

Jennifer Muller said:

That is something I have currently been working on with myself. I have been a massage therapist for the past 4 years and I had terrible shoulder pain. I finally started getting regular massages every week and also seeing a chiropractor. Why should I expect my clients to do any of the self care, or come back as recommended by their treatment plan if I am not willing to take the time or spend the money to do the same for myself. I now only get occassional pain (as compared to not able to move my shoulder) and am working full time again. I feel more confident when I tell my clients how often they need to come back because I KNOW it works!!! I have also started to do yoga again which has brought back much of the flexibilty I lost from being hunched over a table working on everyone else. I have also become much more aware of my body mechanics because I think after awhile we forget just how important it really is. I wish there were more CE classes on better body mechanics or improved ways of doing things with less effort. Sometimes we have to take time to better ourselves so we can help others.

Permalink Reply by Catherine "Cat" Edwards on September 20, 2009 at 8:51pm

Right on. I would love to collaborate on an easy program method to bring these and other ideas into practice. I will look into the post info you offered to Jennifer and play with some simple concepts that we preach, but seldom practice. My mentor created a weekly healing chart when I left school 8 years ago, but personally I hate charts. I am trying to come up with something dynamic and fruitful. thank you for your interest and info!!:)

Mike Hinkle said:

What self care daily survival maintenance plan can we produce to help therapists not ignore their pain and discomfort?

Morning stretches, pre massage stretches, post massage flexing, water consumption, charts showing proper stances in a place seen just before entering room to have that last checklist and our grounding ritual could be altered slightly to be part of the mindset that stance is part of grounding. I'll keep working on this one.

Permalink Reply by Catherine "Cat" Edwards on September 20, 2009 at 8:56pm

I am so happy to hear you are feeling better and getting results! I have seen your ad in Wilmington. I am new to the area, from Telluride, CO. I look forward to meeting up with you sometime and maybe we could help each other out. I have a right hip that loves to remind me to strech and a right wrist that demands respect! Be well and I will send thoughts of ease and comfort for you to maintain honoring your self so well! I am hosting a self care class in Raleigh OCt 1-3. It is with Linda McCrea who is teaches Ortho-Bionomy, a good class with some info, however support from other therapsits is what has helped me maintain self care the most. Peace

Jennifer Muller said:

That is something I have currently been working on with myself. I have been a massage therapist for the past 4 years and I had terrible shoulder pain. I finally started getting regular massages every week and also seeing a chiropractor. Why should I expect my clients to do any of the self care, or come back as recommended by their treatment plan if I am not willing to take the time or spend the money to do the same for myself. I now only get occassional pain (as compared to not able to move my shoulder) and am working full time again. I feel more confident when I tell my clients how often they need to come back because I KNOW it works!!! I have also started to do yoga again which has brought back much of the flexibilty I lost from being hunched over a table working on everyone else. I have also become much more aware of my body mechanics because I think after awhile we forget just how important it really is. I wish there were more CE classes on better body mechanics or improved ways of doing things with less effort. Sometimes we have to take time to better ourselves so we can help others.

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Muller on September 22, 2009 at 1:29pm

Thank you, I will definately check this out!

Mike Hinkle said:

Karina Braun has a book called Creating Peace With Your Hands and a group here at http://www.massageprofessionals.com/group/CreatingPeacewithYourHands
that can help with a lot of these questions and especially your shoulder Jennifer.

Jennifer Muller said:

That is something I have currently been working on with myself. I have been a massage therapist for the past 4 years and I had terrible shoulder pain. I finally started getting regular massages every week and also seeing a chiropractor. Why should I expect my clients to do any of the self care, or come back as recommended by their treatment plan if I am not willing to take the time or spend the money to do the same for myself. I now only get occassional pain (as compared to not able to move my shoulder) and am working full time again. I feel more confident when I tell my clients how often they need to come back because I KNOW it works!!! I have also started to do yoga again which has brought back much of the flexibilty I lost from being hunched over a table working on everyone else. I have also become much more aware of my body mechanics because I think after awhile we forget just how important it really is. I wish there were more CE classes on better body mechanics or improved ways of doing things with less effort. Sometimes we have to take time to better ourselves so we can help others.