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www.thebodyworker.com Massage School Notes |
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Self Care For Massage Therapists and
Bodyworkers
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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. |