Goals, Dreams & The Guy Who Wanted To Put His Coat On

We all have goals. Some big, some small. You might dream of someday running a 5k or a marathon.  Your goals may include things like losing 10 pounds, visiting Tibet, buying a house, learning a new language or possibly even finally getting your ridiculously overdue spring

Fact.

cleaning done before your mother-in-law gets back from Florida in early June...hypothetically speaking, of course.

Often times when someone comes in to my office, their goal is to relax and reduce their stress level. Other clients have a lot of muscle tension in specific areas that they would like to work out. This tension can be a chronic condition or discomfort due to recent events or activities. A popular goal this time of year is getting the yard work done. Yard work is an activity that very often leads to muscle tension. Some clients come in with the intention to treat  specific chronic conditions such as plantar fasciitis, carpal tunnel, and ITB syndrome, among others.

The hidden dangers of yard work

A man came in over the winter and his goal was to simply be able to take his coat off and on in the same way he had been doing for 60-something years before he was diagnosed with the dreaded 'frozen shoulder' (aka: adhesive capsulitis).

The first time he came in, I watched him wiggle and shrug his shoulder while flailing his arm around in order to get his jacket off. He looked defeated and sad. He had been through some physical therapy but still wasn't satisfied with his level of progress. "I just want to be able to put my coat on again. That's it. If I can do that I'll be happy." We worked together consistently for maybe 5 weeks incorporating a technique called Active Isolated Stretching into his massage therapy sessions. I also gave him some stretches to do at home that he was very diligent about. Range of motion in the shoulder gradually increased little by little and after about a month Frozen-shoulder-guy came in to my office very excited and said, "Look! Look at this!" He took his coat off and put it back on. Ta-da!  No arm flailing or shrugging. Mission accomplished.

I can't take all the credit for Frozen-shoulder-guy's progress. He did his 'homework' and kept up on his stretches. He was determined to meet his goal and invested his time and energy in improving the quality of his life. Sincere effort and determination are what it takes to succeed. This is true of every client I have seen regardless of their condition. You need to be willing to invest in yourself.

I think this is always true whenever we want to reach a goal or improve the quality of our lives. We have to do our part, invest the time and commit to an honest effort if we expect to succeed. There is never a short-cut or magic formula for real success.  It doesn't matter if it's building a successful massage practice, putting on your coat, running a marathon, learning a language or getting your spring cleaning done...before early June...when your mother-in-law will be back from Florida...So, on that note, I will be getting off the computer and getting after some not so hypothetical spring cleaning.

Avoid the Creepy Places, Find the Right Therapist, Get a Great Massage

Maybe you're looking for a regular massage therapist or are considering booking a massage for the very first time. Either way, there are a few things you need to know in order to guarantee you will have a good experience.

Okay, let's start by getting the obvious out of the way:  Avoid the creepy places. Yes, this post is going there. Let's don't pretend we haven't all heard of the 'happy ending massage'. The jokes run rampant when you work in this field. Those places are out there and most don't even attempt to disguise it. If the ad, craigslist post, or flyer you found taped to the wall of the men's room at some night club looks shady, it most likely is. Trust your instincts and steer clear.  We, the legit massage professionals, have worked very hard to distance ourselves from that image to the point where you may find yourself corrected if you refer to a massage therapist a 'masseuse'.

Rhinos are not licensed in Rhode Island

Now that we've had a brief tutorial on avoiding smut, you still need to find a qualified masseuse massage therapist. In order to practice massage therapy you need to have a license. The requirements can vary from state to state. In Rhode Island you are issued a license through the Department of Health. You are known as an LMT or licenced massage therapist. There is a requirement for education hours as well as a state exam. You can find licensed therapists on this site.  You can also find out if any complaints have been filed against the provider. Anyone who claims to do any form of 'massage' (Thai, hot stone, sports etc...) needs to have a license.

So now we have avoided smut and found someone legit with the right credentials, the next step is to think about what you would like a massage session to do for you. Relaxation? Pain management? Treatment of a chronic injury?  Massage therapist have different specialties. You can usually see if they fit your needs from their website or simply give them a call and ask. If a massage therapist can not help you, they should be able to refer you to someone who can.  Also, if you have a special condition such as pregnancy, lymphedema, or cancer, you want to find a therapist who is trained and certified to treat these specific conditions. Not all massage therapists can safely work with clients with these conditions. Ask for credentials and certification.

So now we are in the hands of a licensed professional who is properly credentialed to meet our goals.  A thorough health history and intake should be taken by the therapist at the initial visit. Goals should be established and a plan for the session should be devised. If it is your first visit, be sure to voice any questions or concerns you have. Your therapist should be someone you feel comfortable with. If you have never had a massage, the therapist should talk you through the process prior to getting on the table right down to the draping. Communication is key. The therapist should check in with you about pressure as well as your overall comfort during the session. You should feel comfortable mentioning any concerns you might have. You should also be comfortable enough with your therapist to be quiet and just enjoy the treatment.

Don't be afraid to speak up if the pressure is too much

My personal suggestions for a good massage

1. Ladies, do not apologize for not shaving your legs. My male clients never do.

2. Arrive on time. This is YOUR hour. The following hour belongs to the next client and I need to keep on schedule and you will not get your full hour. I wish I could, but I cannot change the time-space continuum. It's a work in progress.

3. Let your needs/wants be known. If you are ticklish, say something. If your favorite place for massage is your hands, say something. Being psychic is another work in progress. Until then let me know, you will get more of what you want and less of what you don't

3. Do not sweat your pedicure. I probably did not notice if you had one within the last 6 months or not. I have worked on the feet of people who had just done 150 miles on their bike at events or ran the Boston Marathon and didn't flinch.

4. Gas happens. If it happens to you, know you weren't the first and you wont be the last. I teach pilates. Someone toots at least once per class.

5. Falling asleep or snoring. I consider this a form of flattery.

6. If the pressure is too much or too little, speak up. If the therapist finds a spot you want a little more time spent on, say so. It makes our job easier.

7. Relax. Tune out. This is your time. Do not think of what you went through to get in today or what you need to do when you leave. This is YOUR time. ENJOY.