Gratitude when receiving a Bodywork treatment
Over my years of practicing massage therapy, I observed various massage and bodywork techniques from previous colleagues, took note of what made a certain therapist the top requested therapist at their spa, made the most of a couples massage session to observe what worked and did not work with a client starting from the greeting consultation, inviting the person over to the table to the goodbye.
I receive a massage at least once a month for body maintenance and mental and emotional restoration. When the roles are reversed and I find myself with a new therapist which often happens since I’ve moved around quite a bit over the past few years, the first sign that there’s a good chance that I will receive a massage that my body needs is that the therapist is actually listening to me.
Last month, my chronic right scapula trigger point returned deeper than ever. This particular point is due to my occupation as a therapist and is due to occupational overuse. I saw three therapists last month, and with each visit, I was hopeful that one would apply the correct technique to release this nagging pain so that I could continue with my day pain-free.
Therapist #1- During the consultation, he didn’t seem to listen to my needs. I expressed my need for deep tissue and the exact area that needs release. His response was to instruct me that maybe deep tissue wasn’t exactly what I needed and that breath was more important. Immediately, I knew this session was not going to achieve the results I desired and I would leave this session the same way I walked in, with my recurring trigger point for a little while longer.
The signs were all there that I was not going to receive deep tissue- the table was too high, and I could feel he applied pressure with his hands rather than using the force and flow of his body. The hands can only apply so much pressure however it is useful to note that strong hands do not always equate to a good massage. This therapist was a lovely person but struggled to apply the technique and pressure that was compatible with my needs. This does not in any way mean he is a terrible therapist- I am certain he is the perfect therapist for many others. That is the thing about us humans, we can not be designed like an app or computer program. I often hear “Oh, I had the worst massage. The therapist was terrible.” Unless that therapist was not present, on their phone reading the latest Russian novel ( which sadly does happen), did not listen to your specific needs and ignored your areas of complaint, or is simply applying lotion or oil- which you can do yourself. You’ve merely received an uncompatible massage.
Therapist #2- She completely avoided my arms. Which is odd considering I emphasized my shoulder issue. It demonstrated to me that the therapist lacked effective listening skills.
Therapist #3- She was EXCELLENT. She heard me when I expressed my shoulder issue and checked in with me during the middle of the session regarding the pressure- which was ON POINT. I was in a very minor incident the week before which jerked my head and I had a point in my spine that needed to be compressed and she did it! Hallelujah, finally some release along the T-5-T-7 area. However, for all her great work she did not specifically apply Trigger point therapy to that ONE nagging point. Nevertheless, I still walked away grateful and satisfied because my body felt more in balance.
The same evening after seeing Therapist #3 at the Russian and Turkish Baths on Collins my husband and I were in bed and I shared with him that I had a great massage but it still didn’t work. After 3 years together, My husband is very familiar with this point in my shoulder. I refuse to give it a name because we are not friends.
Without having to move from the bed, I was the little spoon and he was the big, my husband began to thumb around my right scapula. I’ve shared some massage techniques with him and have massaged him numerous times. Admittedly, I did not grasp how to locate a trigger point when I first became a therapist. My instructor informed me that after working on several bodies, my hands will develop the sensitivity required to sense a trigger point and abnormalities within the muscle.
An interesting thing about massage is that many people will try to impose on you what they feel is the perfect massage, who is the absolute best therapist, how a massage is supposed to feel or not to feel. There are many impositions that ultimately are confusing. The secret to a great massage is 1)becoming very familiar with your body and how it best responds to therapeutic touch. 2) exploring the various modalities out there. Curious about shiatsu ? Maybe a little apprehensive about it because you may have heard it is ‘super painful’ ( not entirely true but let’s save the topic of pain and release for another time). Ask around and see which of your loved ones have explored shiatsu and if they can give a recommendation. Do a Google search, read some reviews, and GO for it. With any new treatment I like to book an hour session and I will express to the therapist that it is my first time receiving a new service
