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How do you take care of yourself?

I was just teaching to a group of massage therapists and was amazed how many of them in the class
do not or never get massage. Hmmm? The excuse is they have no time.

When asked how they convince their clients they should come regularly they explained how maintenance is important, consistency is preventative etc.

When I asked what their biggest fear in their profession was????? They said burnout, wrist hurting and forgetting why they became a massage therapists.

I asked how come they don't have at least 1 hr a month to even receive a massage? I got no response.

What do you do to take care of yourself? Do you receive regular massage? How often? What are you doing to prevent burn out?

I don't seem to understand how we can market and promote massage to our clients for maintenance and prevention and we don't receive.

I'm really shocked!

What's wrong with this picture? Your comments? Thoughts?

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Comment by Laura Allen on November 25, 2009 at 8:07am: Massage every other week, chiropractic 1-2X a month, acupuncture once a month or so, frequent saunas, lots of aromatherapy. I don't exchange with anyone, I pay. Do to my busy schedule, I don't want someone waiting on me for their end of the bargain so it's better for me if I just pay for it.

Comment by Mary Ann S Parker on November 25, 2009 at 7:04am: It's extremely hard to schedule an exchange with another therapist. You want to selfishly receive a massage from a therapist who you know is an excellent source with the same intuital, spiritual senses as you yourself would give with being present in mind, body, spirit . . .

Comment by Mary Ellan. Lambert on November 10, 2009 at 7:13pm: I'm sorry this took so long to get back to you. I work two days a week mostly with the elderly. At first I brought their pains or concerns home with me. Now I leave them in my office. When I close my door at night I am in a different world. I can keep compassion that way but not burn out. I try to get massages often. I find I am not too close to another therapist but I am close to a massage school. I offer up myself to help students and I benefit also. I don't have a lot of extra cash but it is a way to get massage and help other students. By the way, it helps me remember some techniques I may have forgotten.

Comment by Letha Carlson on November 7, 2009 at 8:48pm: How can we expect our clients to take care of themselves if we are unwilling to do so. Most of the therapist I know exchange massages with each other. Make it part of your social life if need be. Not taking time to take care of yourself is one of the biggest reason a person fails in this type of work.

Comment by Krystle Kuchera on October 11, 2009 at 12:18pm: For myself, one of the most improtant things I've found that accounts in keeping myself healthy is Body mechanics. The one thing that was drilled into my brain during school was Body Mechanics. I still remember my instructor (now boss) saying , "Work from your core!" :-) I've also been taught to be there 100% with your clients but don't let any of the negative energy that some of them may carry go past your elbows :-)

When I first starting practicing massage, one of the hardest things for me to do was to say "no." I was putting way more hours of massage into my day than my body could handle just because I couldn't say, "no." Now that I've learned to say "no. I don't have any openings today, or this week." I've been much happier in the way my body feels because I'm not over doing myself.

Comment by Gloria Coppola on October 11, 2009 at 12:07pm: A new video on how to take care of your hands. Can also be viewed at www.massagenetworknews.com . Pass it on to your new colleagues!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54vh11cNBwQ

Comment by Donna Whitton on August 3, 2009 at 12:16pm: My first job was at a Wellness Center with several other therapists. We tried to swap with each other in an effort to receive one if not two massages in a month; unfortunately, the secretaries, whether supported by the owner or not, I'm not sure, often erased scheduled massages to put paying clients in the book. This use to infuriate me as I wanted to definitely practice the very thing I was teaching to bring clients back.

After I started my own business it was hard getting back into the habit, mostly to find a good MT who reciprocated fairly.
Now, I get a massage twice a month as well as a monthly chiropractic adjustments. I exercise on a regular basis also. It's all about good health and balance, and it feels good to not only remind my clients how to take care of themselves but to honestly say I receive care on a regular basis: It feels as though I am a little more creditable.

Comment by Gloria Coppola on August 2, 2009 at 5:37pm: Thanks Marsha!
I think it is VERY important for LMT's to understand the issues around working with clients who have been physically traumatized, abuse or a survivor of some sort of disaster, PTSS. If you feel there is a "specific" thought you'd like me to share , please email me at massageproce@gmail.com. Sounds like you are a very busy lady! ;)
Make sure someone rubs you weekly! Sounds like you could use it!

Comment by Marsha Kinsey, LMT, CEMT on August 2, 2009 at 5:31pm: Gloria, I do not have a problem with you sharing my story with any one. I am an open book when it comes to my business. You asked me what I did to keep in shape and not burn out. I am very active outside of my business. I have 3 sons, 8 grandkids, 3 horses, 2 dogs and 2 fish.....don't have much time to burn out, huh? Seriously, I stay very active with other stuff. I love working in my yard. I read, go to movies, just chill. My business is really my life. I am a massage therapist 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. I never leave it at home. Can't go to many parites without someone sitting in front of me or have their feet in my lap. I love it.....it makes me smile.

Comment by Gloria Coppola on August 2, 2009 at 12:57pm: Sounds perfect!

I was just speaking to a very successful therapist yesterday. She does get regular massage, but she also works sometimes more than 7 days straight. She realized after speaking with me and receiving a 3.5 hr session that she definitely needs to set some boundaries and make a 'schedule' . She is also looking for help and may have found someone.

I agree with you Darcy, if we don't take care of ourselves we are not good for anyone else! Thanks for your feedback.