Article Archive

Misunderstood Modality

Myths About Thai Massage

When Thai massage came on the American scene some twenty years ago, it seemed strange and daunting to many massage therapists. Its floor work and use of yoga-like stretches introduced an unfamiliar way to work with clients. Now after several years of practicing and teaching Thai massage, I have seen a number of myths take hold in the massage community in relation to what this modality is all about. The following explores some of the most common misperceptions.

What's Next Is What's Now

pathology perspectives

This column is usually devoted to a specific pathological condition or concept that is connected to the overall theme of the current issue of Massage & Bodywork. In this edition, however, we will take a moment to look at what’s next for massage in the context of pathology: a different direction altogether.

The Shaken Therapist

practitioner parables

When I finished her massage, she was ecstatic. She had never received a professional massage, so the relaxation she achieved was something of a revelation to her. Then, four days later, I got the phone call. She was in a lot of pain. “What did you do?” she asked. “I felt fantastic for the first three days and now this!”

“You felt great for three days and the upper back pain has popped up just today?”

MT Straight Talk

ten for today

CLIENTS KNOW MORE THAN YOU DO

Even if they don’t know the name, origin, insertion, and action of every—or any—muscle, even if they don’t have one clue about physiology or kinesiology or any other ology you’re trained in, clients still live in their bodies every single day. Don’t try to push them through something they don’t want. Help them get in touch with and listen to their own bodies, and then listen to them. Your clients trust you enough to place their bodies in your hands. Treat this gift with loving respect.

Thailand Reclaims Its Ancient Medicinal Roots

The Healing Tradition is Older Than Science

Of the many Asian modalities that have been passed from East to West, Thailand’s traditional medicine and massage are among the more recent to gain popularity.

Now, as the technique sometimes referred to as “the lazy man’s yoga” draws more devotees, an interesting cross-pollination is beginning to occur—but this time it’s from West to East. Western approaches to both medicine and marketing are beginning to influence how Thai massage and medicine are practiced, researched, taught, and promoted, resulting in unique blendings of applications and adaptations.

The Future Of Massage

Indeed, it is not possible to predict an absolute course

Someone once said, “Predictions are frequently inaccurate—especially those about the future.” It is likely that fifty years ago few in the profession could have guessed massage would grow in the ways and to the extent it has. Indeed, it is not possible to predict an absolute course for the future of massage therapy. Nevertheless, it is valuable to review the general trends in the profession to gauge its growth patterns and future possibilities.

Cultivating Diversity

Spreading The Bodywork Message To Minorities

Victoria Robertson, a Boulder, Colorado, based certified massage therapist and until recently head of a massage school in nearby Broomfield, took a look at her students and noticed how very much they resembled her massage clients: mostly female, mostly middle class, and overwhelmingly white.

Devastation & Compassion

Massage Therapists React To The California Wildfires

Suddenly and swiftly, Southern California had the world’s attention as flames and smoke devastated lives, homes, and property. This was much more than a local event. When satellite photos showed behemoth clouds of smoke covering a large geography, one could better comprehend the far-reaching destruction of 17 simultaneous fires. Seven counties were affected. The October 2007 California wildfires dramatically touched an estimated 1,200 massage therapists—their lives, businesses, and clients— including those who share their stories with us here.

Chakra Massage

fingertips for the client

Yoga and its sister science ayurveda are based on keeping the body’s energy balanced and flowing. They value massage as an integral part of supporting that energy and maintaining overall well-being.

The Path of Least Resistance

practitioner parables

Fresh out of the massage school box I was ready to convert everyone to the glory of massage therapy. It wasn’t so much a strategy as it was trying to do everything at once. I reasoned that the sure antidote to an empty practice is activity. When they won’t come in through your doors, you have to go get them.

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