Self Care For Massage Therapists and
Bodyworkers
The most
common questions I get from people considering massage as a profession is
'"Will I be able to physically handle this career?" or "How
long will I be able to physically do this job?" Avoiding
injuries is really more about knowing yourself and your needs and being able
to set boundaries to keep you healthy. The
massage profession has a very high rate of burn out. The nature of the
work - using your own hands and body can be extremely taxing. There are
many massage therapists who end up having to leave the profession because they
end up with carpal tunnel or other repetitive strain type injuries.
Massage schools often leave this fact out when you are signing up for
classes. The
physical part is just really the result of not taking care of oneself
emotionally, mentally, spiritually and physically. Physical symptoms most
are usually a sign that something is out of balance in your body. It is
more than just using proper body mechanics to prevent a physical problem.
I believe that the physical symptom is usually the last thing to show up.
Before we are physically incapacitated there have usually been signs that we
need to stop, rest and take care of ourselves in some way. It may come in
the form of things going wrong at the office or home or other symptoms such as
insomnia, hypoglycemia or headaches. Taking Care
of yourself as a massage therapist is more than just exercising, eating right
and getting a massage every week. It is much more than just using proper
body mechanics while you work. (Self Care
Tips) It
involves doing whatever it takes to take care of all of your needs. Part
of the problem in our profession is not being aware of what you need. We
have a tendency to want to take care of others first before ourselves. It
is easier that way. We take care of others so we don't have to ask to be
taken care of ourselves. We often are living out the "code of the
caretaker". Our
businesses often reflect the state that we are in. Carl Jung says
"What we are unconscious of becomes our fate". We have what we
are committed to having. Becoming more aware of ourselves is the key to a
successful career. Self
care is everything you do to take responsibility for your life. What do
you do on a daily basis to nurture yourself? What do you do to take care
of your internal world - your fears, your false beliefs, your anxiety, your
feelings and emotions? Are you living in the present moment or living out
your fears of being good enough or knowing enough? Self
care includes creating a spiritual practice along with becoming aware of your
repressed emotions and needs. It involves learning to create boundaries to
keep you safe and healthy.
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You can only take a
client as far as you are willing to go.
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