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Where Does Energy Work Belong?
The comment period for the second draft of the Massage Therapy Body of Knowledge ended a week ago. I’ve made comments on both drafts, and I hope you have too.
A number of my own comments were in regard to the amount of energy work-related statements that were included. I don’t think most of it belongs there. Before anyone gets their chakras in a twist at me, let
me state that Healing Touch was the very first class I ever took, back
in 1993. I went on to follow that up with classes in Reiki, polarity,
and a few other energy modalities. I’ve also studied and used Shiatsu
for years. I have in fact in the past taught a lot of Reiki classes
myself, but I’ve decided not to teach it anymore. I blogged that
decision on my FB page a few months ago. Some of these scientific minds
around here are rubbing off on me.
I honor anyone who lays their hands on another, or directs energy at another, with the intent for the highest good to take place, whether that’s to heal, to comfort, or to ease someone’s passing. I don’t have
any objections to energy work, either giving or receiving. I just think
it’s a separate body of knowledge.
Yes, I know that plenty of massage therapists use energy work, not only from my own past experience, but also from spending a few hours surfing through the approved provider pages on the NCB’s website
recently. It appears that there’s more energy-related classes than
hardcore bodywork and/or evidence-based classes. Obviously there’s a
demand, or that wouldn’t be the case. READ MORE.....
Views: 268
Comment
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Comment by Erica Olson on March 24, 2010 at 2:36pm
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*hairy eyeball* Doc, you're not helping matters either. Knock it off.
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Comment by Christopher A. Moyer on March 24, 2010 at 2:31pm
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Classic.
I'm thinking of going with "Hinkle-Torsey factor" when I get around to publishing. It's got a nice rhythm to it - kind of like "Dunning-Kruger effect"...
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Comment by Vlad on March 24, 2010 at 1:50pm
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*snort of laughter* Emma, thanks for making my point for me re: trolling.
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Comment by Emma Torsey on March 24, 2010 at 12:57pm
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How do you propose regulating energy work?
Oh, hey Erica,you got a little something brown on your nose,better wipe that off..
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Well said, Erica.
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I'm disappointed in the massive snark-fest that has once again arisen over the subject of energy work; shame on you who have added fuel to the fire without even attempting to add anything else of value.
Now that that's out of the way, I stand with Laura. After much thought, I don't think energy work belongs in the MTBOK, whether determining what an entry-level MT graduate should know or whether it belongs in our scope of practice. I think the comparison to aromatherapy is an extremely valid one--energy work is its own separate, specialized beast and should be recognized (and be respected by those who do) as such. If there's such a high demand for it, what's wrong with allowing another BOK to be developed specifically for it?
There are people who say that they can't help but work with energy when doing massage. To that, I say "fine." I don't think anyone's going to get spanked by a regulatory body for incorporating an undefined instinctual somatic connection. Clients ask me if I do energy work "in addition to" massage; they recognize that there is a difference--why do so many EBP folks have a hard time seeing that?
But do I want Reiki with--or instead of--my hands-on soft-tissue manipulation when I've asked for a massage? No, and I don't want cream in my coffee if I've ordered it black, no matter whether or not someone else thinks that I'd benefit from it or I'd like it "if I just tried it." I've had enough of that sort of arrogant hubris to last me a lifetime.
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Comment by Darcy Neibaur on March 23, 2010 at 8:42pm
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Also slow for us I did 2 1/2 hours today. That is okay with me. It all balances out from when we were so busy last week. Thanks Vlad.
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Darcy - hope you'd a good day at work. I was incredibly slow - just 2 massages.
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You all were very busy today. Interesting reading.
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