Hi
at the end of my last post I said I would answer the question - what happens at the end of a massage session and you are not 'fixed'? Well it is 11 days later, in this case tomorrow never came at least for my computer, some filthy low life vandal invaded it with all sorts of infections that killed it - and with it a key tool for my work. Anyhow I forgive them, life must be so bad for them if they have to spend what they were given doing stuff like that!
So at the end of the session you are better but not 'fixed'.
Often my hands tell me that the problem you have come to me for is
a/ Aggressive and needs gentle intervention and it will not be hurried, to do so will bring rejection from the body as the treatment is forced onto an already stressed system.
b/ Older than you thought, in otherwords, a client with upper cervical pain that came on suddenly often has reached the end of a compensation pathway which began with a lumbar pelvic problem and the body has kept it under the radar, always adapting until it could not adapt further and it cried out for help. So treatment may need to be more widespread than you thought and this is VERY often the case. We may well need more than one session to give you relief and even more to stabilise the body so the problem will not recur or at least will not recur soon.
So maybe a quick snap or rub can relieve the pain but it will be back ASAP unless time is spent rooting out the causes, many of which begin far away from the pain itself.
We therapists ask for a fair go, and we massage therapists offer great value for a one hour session. We have time to work through the layers of the problem in a way that the body can accept and therefore it will integrate with your body.
This is my approach and you can find out more about me at my web page www.naturaltherapypages.com.au/therapist/15342
Next I will look at 'force fed therapy' or 'is it neccessary to beat the stuffing out of a client in the name of treatment?'
See ya
Michael
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Can you 'fix' me?
Following on from the discussions about time and therapy, here is another thing that can cause confusion. Are you paying for the therapist's time ie 1hr for $60 or are you paying to get something 'fixed'?
The contract I made on the phone when the initial booking was made was to sell an hour of my time for the agreed amount. I have never met the client so how am I to know what will transpire at the initial appointment? After an initial physical assessment and the first treatment I should have a fair idea if I can help my client and thereafter the terms of the exchange are somewhat different.
Incidentally the term 'fix me' is as bad as the term 'my neck is out'. Wanting to be fixed implies that something is broken and that the client is willing to divest responsibility onto the therapist and make it their problem! No!!!! It is the client's body, when they leave I do not live with their pain or injury - they do!
I explain to clients that I am not God, I cannot fix anything. I merely try to set up a stimulus into their body to cause a response - preferably a healing response. There are just so many factors that I can't control such as their body use habits, nutrition, stress levels etc. Many times the type of therapeutic intervention needs to be changed. Perhaps the response would be better if I tried a different style of massage, maybe not - there are many questions at this early stage.
To say that I know what is best for a client at the first appointment, in most (not all) cases is sheer arrogance. We need to build a THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP to understand how we can best work togeather for optimal results.
After the first session, you would still be paying for my time but my time would not be for sale unless I truly believed, on the evidence presented, that I could help.
So what happens when the appointment time is up and you are better but not 'fixed'?
I'll answer that tomorrow!
The contract I made on the phone when the initial booking was made was to sell an hour of my time for the agreed amount. I have never met the client so how am I to know what will transpire at the initial appointment? After an initial physical assessment and the first treatment I should have a fair idea if I can help my client and thereafter the terms of the exchange are somewhat different.
Incidentally the term 'fix me' is as bad as the term 'my neck is out'. Wanting to be fixed implies that something is broken and that the client is willing to divest responsibility onto the therapist and make it their problem! No!!!! It is the client's body, when they leave I do not live with their pain or injury - they do!
I explain to clients that I am not God, I cannot fix anything. I merely try to set up a stimulus into their body to cause a response - preferably a healing response. There are just so many factors that I can't control such as their body use habits, nutrition, stress levels etc. Many times the type of therapeutic intervention needs to be changed. Perhaps the response would be better if I tried a different style of massage, maybe not - there are many questions at this early stage.
To say that I know what is best for a client at the first appointment, in most (not all) cases is sheer arrogance. We need to build a THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP to understand how we can best work togeather for optimal results.
After the first session, you would still be paying for my time but my time would not be for sale unless I truly believed, on the evidence presented, that I could help.
So what happens when the appointment time is up and you are better but not 'fixed'?
I'll answer that tomorrow!
Saturday, August 30, 2008
The lessons of time Pt.2
While I am on the subject of time, another case history came to mind. A lady staggered in to see me with a sore back some time ago. She worked hard on a farm and was not as young as she was. Because she had the sore back she booked in to see a remedial massage therapist with a prominent practice. This person who liked to turn over clients quite quickly rubbed only the sore side of her back then hurried her out the door. Soon afterward she went into spasm and was in agony. What lack of care and what lack of basic massage knowledge! I could not believe my ears and eyes - she was bent right over to one side!
Again the hurried appointment may be needed to fund our pay, so we need to turn over more clients per day but really, I would rather pay a little more and get a thorough job - it is better for my health and a balanced massage should be delivered covering the trouble area and related tissues so the body does not go into spasms or some bizarre compensatory pattern making the client worse.
Hurried, deep massage doees not allow the reciever to relax and without relaxation the body often rejects the treatment percieving it as an external stressor. If treatment can be provided for a period of over 20 minutes the body will naturally begin to relax. If the therapy is at an appropriate level and of an appropriate type - it will be well recieved by the body, any deep painful work can be done but should be short and to the point, then the body will not reject it.
Again the hurried appointment may be needed to fund our pay, so we need to turn over more clients per day but really, I would rather pay a little more and get a thorough job - it is better for my health and a balanced massage should be delivered covering the trouble area and related tissues so the body does not go into spasms or some bizarre compensatory pattern making the client worse.
Hurried, deep massage doees not allow the reciever to relax and without relaxation the body often rejects the treatment percieving it as an external stressor. If treatment can be provided for a period of over 20 minutes the body will naturally begin to relax. If the therapy is at an appropriate level and of an appropriate type - it will be well recieved by the body, any deep painful work can be done but should be short and to the point, then the body will not reject it.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
The lessons of time
See my page at www.naturaltherapypages.com.au/therapist/15342
Yesterday I looked at a case where the therapist had 'strung out' the therapy whilst doing the client no good other than giving brief relief. Today I want to help you choose a therapist by looking at how time factors can play an important role in clinical success.
Two cases spring to mind. The first was treated for a muscular trauma by a Chiropractor, fair enough, why not have your spinal adjustment and some massage at the one appointment? We are all busy and have limited money!
Here is where the problem lies - the time factor. Chiropractors have high overheads and need to consult many patients during a session, hence short appointment times. Much of their massage I have witnessed or heard about from clients is deep, brisk and painful when applied during a Chiropractic appointment. The Chiropractor has recognised a soft tissue problem and has tried to remedy it within the time frame of the appointment - good, but not good enough in this case and lots of others like it.
This client had had significant bone trauma with resultant muscle damage and was getting NO relief from multiple treatments. This client then consulted me and I found that the whole area of the trauma was 'shrivelled' and 'wasted away'. The tissue that surrounds and divides muscle is called fascia and it is extremely strong, if a therapist attempts to 'crash and bash' through it it will just rebound into the state it was in already - fact. A slow unhurried and unforceful stress must be applied to induce change, there is NO OTHER WAY. After spending 45 minutes slowly sifting through the dry fascia in a relatively small area, the whole area felt and moved so much better, in ONE treatment.
Your body responds as it responds, sometimes, neccessarily that is slow due to your state of health when you go for treatment. Allow time for change to occur, beware of hurried practitioners and remember the rule of 3s from yesterday.
$60 for a whole hour is good value and it gives the therapist time to get to know your body and start stimulating change, it does not happen all at once, and we must look past the 'quick fix' approach - if we get that well and good but it mostly does not happen.
Tomorrow I will look at the second case of careless therapy done by hurried therapists that should never have happened.
See you then.
Yesterday I looked at a case where the therapist had 'strung out' the therapy whilst doing the client no good other than giving brief relief. Today I want to help you choose a therapist by looking at how time factors can play an important role in clinical success.
Two cases spring to mind. The first was treated for a muscular trauma by a Chiropractor, fair enough, why not have your spinal adjustment and some massage at the one appointment? We are all busy and have limited money!
Here is where the problem lies - the time factor. Chiropractors have high overheads and need to consult many patients during a session, hence short appointment times. Much of their massage I have witnessed or heard about from clients is deep, brisk and painful when applied during a Chiropractic appointment. The Chiropractor has recognised a soft tissue problem and has tried to remedy it within the time frame of the appointment - good, but not good enough in this case and lots of others like it.
This client had had significant bone trauma with resultant muscle damage and was getting NO relief from multiple treatments. This client then consulted me and I found that the whole area of the trauma was 'shrivelled' and 'wasted away'. The tissue that surrounds and divides muscle is called fascia and it is extremely strong, if a therapist attempts to 'crash and bash' through it it will just rebound into the state it was in already - fact. A slow unhurried and unforceful stress must be applied to induce change, there is NO OTHER WAY. After spending 45 minutes slowly sifting through the dry fascia in a relatively small area, the whole area felt and moved so much better, in ONE treatment.
Your body responds as it responds, sometimes, neccessarily that is slow due to your state of health when you go for treatment. Allow time for change to occur, beware of hurried practitioners and remember the rule of 3s from yesterday.
$60 for a whole hour is good value and it gives the therapist time to get to know your body and start stimulating change, it does not happen all at once, and we must look past the 'quick fix' approach - if we get that well and good but it mostly does not happen.
Tomorrow I will look at the second case of careless therapy done by hurried therapists that should never have happened.
See you then.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Making the right choice
See my page at www.naturaltherapypages.com.au/therapist/15342
Yesterday I was talking about how many clients did not know what a Corrective (Remedial)massage was capable of. Today I want to begin to look at making a good therapeutic choice, and I want to begin by giving two outstanding anecdotes from my clinic.
The first was a young woman brought to me with bad mid and upper back pain, neck pain and headaches. She had had two years of remedial massage therapy. When I looked at her she was quite bent over forwards and consequently very closed in the chest.
I asked her what her therapist had been working on for the two years, she replied "my sore back" and indicated the upper back and neck area. Given that it was obvious that she had many short muscles in the front of her chest, abdominal and shoulder areas I asked about them and she said no one had ever done anything about them, her therapist only rubbed her back!
I explained to her that rubbing her back was making her worse, and she agreed that she got less and less relief over the two years. I was so sad for her. She knew no better and her therapist was either poorly taught or greedy for all the return business possible, based on giving her a little relief.
Lesson to be learned: The rule of three says that if there is no percievable improvement in a condition from the client point of view, or from the therapist's point of view (and the explanation needs to satisfy the client) AFTER THREE TREATMENTS then that therapy is not correct for that client at that time. The therapist needs to change methods or refer the client to someone who can help based on their knowledge of the client.
The only exception is certain conditions such as diseases or other long term degenerative conditions - these may need ongoing help.
That is how I try to keep honest and sharp. Fair enough too, as long as the client takes their responsibility in the process (doing home stretches or avoiding aggravating activities).
Always ask your therapist how they see treatment progressing and get an answer that sits well with YOU.
Tomorrow I will look at therapists who do not have enough time.
Yesterday I was talking about how many clients did not know what a Corrective (Remedial)massage was capable of. Today I want to begin to look at making a good therapeutic choice, and I want to begin by giving two outstanding anecdotes from my clinic.
The first was a young woman brought to me with bad mid and upper back pain, neck pain and headaches. She had had two years of remedial massage therapy. When I looked at her she was quite bent over forwards and consequently very closed in the chest.
I asked her what her therapist had been working on for the two years, she replied "my sore back" and indicated the upper back and neck area. Given that it was obvious that she had many short muscles in the front of her chest, abdominal and shoulder areas I asked about them and she said no one had ever done anything about them, her therapist only rubbed her back!
I explained to her that rubbing her back was making her worse, and she agreed that she got less and less relief over the two years. I was so sad for her. She knew no better and her therapist was either poorly taught or greedy for all the return business possible, based on giving her a little relief.
Lesson to be learned: The rule of three says that if there is no percievable improvement in a condition from the client point of view, or from the therapist's point of view (and the explanation needs to satisfy the client) AFTER THREE TREATMENTS then that therapy is not correct for that client at that time. The therapist needs to change methods or refer the client to someone who can help based on their knowledge of the client.
The only exception is certain conditions such as diseases or other long term degenerative conditions - these may need ongoing help.
That is how I try to keep honest and sharp. Fair enough too, as long as the client takes their responsibility in the process (doing home stretches or avoiding aggravating activities).
Always ask your therapist how they see treatment progressing and get an answer that sits well with YOU.
Tomorrow I will look at therapists who do not have enough time.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
They know not what we do!
In the last fortnight I have had many conflicting thoughts about Corrective (Remedial) massage and one of them is that people just do not understand our job, our capacities and skills and their role in the healing process.
Sadly despite being one of the oldest professions going around, I cannot help feeling that we have not educated our society properly.
Some of my client's complain of a problem half way through a session just as a topic of conversation, something like 'My doctor says that I've developed carpal tunnel syndrome' and when I ask a couple of questions I find out that they just have no concept that a massage therapist could help such a condition - I guess we just rub backs and necks in some people's minds! My students all say, "we just did not know how much we needed to know to do this job" and they are just beginning! It just boggles their mind by the time they learn to treat all sorts of sports injuries, nerve problems, postural problems and the like. We deal with bodily overuse, underuse, abuse and misuse daily - and YES we have some good answers for them, give us a try - look for a well qualified, experienced clinical therapist, do your homework about your problems and ask them questions to check their understanding out before making a booking. In my next blog I will talk about the pitfalls of not checking the therapist out - see you later
Michael
Check out my page at www.naturaltherapypages.com.au/therapist/15342
Sadly despite being one of the oldest professions going around, I cannot help feeling that we have not educated our society properly.
Some of my client's complain of a problem half way through a session just as a topic of conversation, something like 'My doctor says that I've developed carpal tunnel syndrome' and when I ask a couple of questions I find out that they just have no concept that a massage therapist could help such a condition - I guess we just rub backs and necks in some people's minds! My students all say, "we just did not know how much we needed to know to do this job" and they are just beginning! It just boggles their mind by the time they learn to treat all sorts of sports injuries, nerve problems, postural problems and the like. We deal with bodily overuse, underuse, abuse and misuse daily - and YES we have some good answers for them, give us a try - look for a well qualified, experienced clinical therapist, do your homework about your problems and ask them questions to check their understanding out before making a booking. In my next blog I will talk about the pitfalls of not checking the therapist out - see you later
Michael
Check out my page at www.naturaltherapypages.com.au/therapist/15342
Monday, August 11, 2008
A beginning
Day 1
After many years of clinic and teaching experience in many areas of massage, I want to use the internet to reach the world. I love my profession, as anyone who knows me would say, I'm passionate and a lifelong learner and teacher. Sometimes like all of us I need to learn from my mistakes.
I've started this blog to share my thoughts and experiences with you from my day to day experiences.
Tip of the day:
When doing manual therapy it is best not to force your treatment on the body, ask it what it will accept and wait patiently for an answer. If the answer is yes then proceed, if no then ask a different question.
Want to know more - look for the next post.
Cheers for now
Michael
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